Bringing Nature into the Home with Biophilic Design

Biophilic design is about connecting buildings to nature and the surrounding environment, in a way that is peaceful and tranquil. 

Here are some of the most popular ways interior designers are implementing biophilia in their designs.

1. Natural Greenery for Mental Wellbeing

It is the easiest and most cost-effective way to include nature in interior spaces, so naturally, plants and indoor greenery take the top spot.

Plants give off high levels of oxygen during the day and carbon dioxide at night, and are known to help with mental well-being and sleeping, so they are as beneficial as they are beautiful. They also have calming and healing properties so your clients are likely to be less stressed and less likely to get ill.

If your client works from home, it is worth noting that having a houseplant in a workspace can increase concentration and productivity and help them be more creative.

2. The Power of Wood

This material is natural, versatile and sustainable - when sourced in the right way.

One of the biggest trends of 2022 was to include wooden panelling or latticework on walls and ceilings, but there is no limit to the ways you can incorporate wood in a space. Think furniture, shelving, kitchen worktops, flooring, art... the list goes on forever.

3. Flooring for Added Feeling

It probably isn't practical to have sand or grass that you can walk on barefoot around a home, but matching these colors in flooring is a viable alternative. If that flooring is then also made of natural materials like wood or wool, then even better.

Oak and ash floorboards have a grainy look to them that is light and reminiscent of sandy beaches. Reclaimed teak flooring is both sustainable and provides a woodland ambience, as though walking through a forest.

Stone floor tiles for kitchens and bathrooms and entrance hallways have their own natural feel, as well as being hardwearing for high-footfall areas. Some carpets and solid surfaces are now designed with the outdoors in mind, with patterns mimicking grass, rocks or, strangely, moss to give you that springy soft texture when walking across the room.

4. Singing in the Rain(fall Shower)

If your clients like to sing in the shower, you can bring out their inner Gene Kelly and suggest installing a rainfall shower.

Being around water is known to be good for us, both physically and mentally, but it isn't always possible to live close to water. However, much like the healing properties of water in nature, rainfall showers and lengthy baths can work wonders to calm the mind and body.

Final Thoughts

There are so many different choices for making the indoors of a home feel more like an outdoor space. You can even use landscape artwork or specific light fixtures that mimic the sun rising and setting to achieve amazing results.

A positive outlook combined with a flair for design and a concerted effort in the decisions you make as an interior designer will ensure your biophilic design trend will be a success.