Biophilia, also known as biophilic design, is an interior design concept focused on incorporating natural elements into a living or working space including colors, textures, prints and patterns, materials like wood, natural light, or decor like water features and plants. The goal of biophilic interior design is to create a relaxing and comfortable environment that helps people and pets reconnect with nature.
Humans have a natural connection with nature, and homes with these elements feel more comfortable, reducing stress and increasing productivity.
We are naturally drawn to nature, even when we live in urban settings, which is why the elements of nature are featured in decor items, fabrics, wall papers or wooden panels, and even paint colors are always top sellers. Another way to see this is by looking at how popular houseplants are.
According to the New York Botanic Garden center, 66% of American homes have at least one plant in them, and 1 in 3 people under 40 consider themselves a plant parent.
When exposed to these biophilic elements, our brains respond positively, causing us to feel drawn and more relaxed in biophilic spaces. So it makes sense why biophilia is a popular interior design technique, and the elements are used in homes, offices, hotels, and anywhere else people want to feel calm and comfortable.
Incorporating this concept into your spaces can be as simple as a bouquet of flowers or buying a wooden table (like our coffee to dining tables that come in walnut or oak.) If you're adding an addition to your home, incorporating natural light via a sky-light or larger windows is actively using the concept of biophilia to make your new addition feel like a home.
If you’re feeling stressed, want to try and create a more relaxed atmosphere in your spaces, or just want to freshen things up, here’s how to incorporate biophilia design concepts using plants, water elements, color palettes, and furniture.
Biophilia for Plant Lovers
Plants are one of the easiest ways to introduce biophilia design concepts into your home as they can be placed on shelves, tables, hanging baskets, and in groups or standalone. You can use their height like the tall Fiddle Leaf Fig, or ability to vine like Pothos plants with their heart shaped leaves if you want length. Some indoor houseplants feature stunning colors like the reds, pinks, and creams of Begonias.
The important things to consider before purchasing plants for your home are:
- The care levels as some are beginner and don’t require a lot of care like the Snake Plant, while others like Ferns will require a lot of attention.
- Placement is important as some plants need direct sunlight like Succulents or Cacti which can thrive on a windowsill, and others like Philodendron that need bright but indirect sunlight will do better close to but not directly in front of a window.
- If you have pets, you want to make sure the plants are pet safe meaning non-toxic and non-poisonous as the two are different. Check the ASPCA, PetMD, or with your pet’s Veterinarian to make sure before you buy a plant.
Besides being decorative, some plants can also improve the air quality of your home by absorbing pollution and carbon dioxide. NASA even studied how some indoor plants like the Chinese Evergreen, Philodendron, and English Ivy can remove toxins and carcinogens found in indoor atmospheres.
Biophilia through Water Elements
Biophilic design can be done using water elements like fountains, music, and fish tanks to help create relaxing and calm atmospheres. This is why they are common in spas, medical practices like a dentist’s office, and hotels.
To incorporate this type of biophilic design into your home, add a wall mounted fish tank or place one on a stand. You could get a smaller one for your desk at work if you feel stress throughout the day. This study concluded that watching fish swim does cause an association with relaxation.
There are countless options for mini fountains including ones with Zen gardens and polished stones to incorporate more natural elements. In a bedroom, try using a sound machine that makes rain or ocean noises. This is a simple way to apply biophilia, creating a relaxing environment that promotes sleep.
Biophilia-Friendly Color Palettes
Adding biophilic elements to your home can be as simple as a coat of paint, or using colors that are found in nature based on the environments that relax us like deserts for their warmth where you can try sand colors and neutral tones, or forests with deep greens and rich browns.
Warm, darker shades like maroon, deep orange, forest green, or wood tones create a space that feels cozy and grounded as it absorbs the light vs. reflecting it. This makes these colors perfect for studies, bedrooms, and dens.
Lighter tones including creamy yellows or pastels reflect more light than darker tones which works to brighten a room enhancing the natural light and creating an inviting space for socializing. This is why these colors are popular in living rooms, family rooms, and kitchens.
Mixed usage rooms like a family room with a sofa bed can try combinations with warm and dark colors like a lush green and a creamy yellow on the top or bottom with a neutral wooden molding separating them for a trim. This brings natural tones and colors into the room helping it to feel balanced and calm.
Biophilia and Furniture
Wood being incorporated into your spaces including furniture may have benefits to help your well-being while also following biophilic design principles. The organic texture of wood in a sturdy dining table set or a desk in your bedroom or office can improve productivity and reduce stress.
Adding wood to your furniture and rooms can include:
- Sculptures on top of coffee tables or using treated wood as the base that supports the top.
- Wood finishes on kitchen cabinets and on dressers in a bedroom are a perfect option.
- Wooden dining table sets or kitchen tables can bring nature to your meals.
- Grandfather clocks, wooden wall clocks, and cuckoo clocks are all decorative furniture pieces that bring wooden elements into your rooms.
- Wood flooring vs. carpets, resin, and concrete can be a perfect alternative for adding biophilic design elements to your space.
Using biophilic design principles can help you create a warm, comfortable, and relaxing home, office, business, or other space. It could be as simple as a few indoor plants, choosing fabrics with leaves or flowers on them, or adding a fish tank.
