Written by Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design.
Integrating nature into our living spaces makes us feel happier and healthier. Here’s what to know about bringing biophilic design into your home. We all have a natural connection to the outdoors, whether we realize it or not. We give flowers as gifts, form bonds with pets, and seek peace in scenic places like mountains, beaches, and forests. Being in nature has a calming, restorative effect on humans, which is why biophilic design is creating such a buzz in architecture and interior design today. From watching waves crash on the shore to gazing at the night sky, our love of nature is instinctive. So, why not incorporate elements of nature into our homes and workspaces?
What is biophilic design?
Biophilia describes our innate love of nature and the deep connection we feel towards it. Biophilic design is the practice of applying these concepts to interior design, architecture, and landscaping by bringing natural elements into built environments.
Biologist and naturalist E.O. Wilson popularized the term in his 1984 book Biophilia, while Stephen R. Kellert, Ph.D., of Yale University, helped bring the concept into mainstream architecture. Today, groups like Terrapin Bright Green continue to champion biophilic principles in modern design, focusing on how to better connect people to nature through thoughtful architectural choices.
Where is biophilic design most often used?
Biophilic design initially took off in commercial settings, especially in offices and healthcare environments. For example, office managers increasingly use biophilic principles to create spaces that encourage employees to return to in-person work after long periods of remote work. Studies show that nature-inspired offices improve productivity, reduce stress, and even boost creativity.
Hospitals are another area where biophilic design is making a significant impact. Research indicates that patients with views of nature from their windows recover faster, use less pain medication, and report feeling more satisfied with their care.
More recently, biophilic design has become a popular choice for residential spaces, allowing homeowners to bring the tranquility of nature into their daily lives.
How to integrate biophilic design into your home
Bringing biophilic design into your home is simpler than you might think. Here are a few ways to do it:
Floral patterns and earth tones: Incorporating soft, natural colors like forest greens, sky blues, and warm browns evokes the calm of the outdoors.
Natural materials: Use wood, stone, and wool to create a tactile connection to nature.
Solar tubes for natural light: Let sunlight flood in through ceilings with solar tubes.
Living walls or moss walls: Add greenery to your space in unexpected ways.
Water features: Consider a small fountain or aquarium to introduce the calming sound of water.
Fresh air: If possible, open your windows or use air-purifying plants to freshen the air inside.
Fireplaces (or digital alternatives): A crackling fire brings warmth and comfort, even if it's just a video on YouTube.
Nature-inspired art: Paintings or photographs of landscapes can create a visual connection to the outside world.
Organic shapes: Furniture and architectural elements with soft curves mimic natural forms.
If you're building a new home, consider integrating larger biophilic features, such as:
Large windows: Maximize natural light and views of outdoor landscapes.
Built-in planters: Create indoor gardens for easy access to nature.
Waterfalls or fountains: A water feature can serve as a stunning focal point.
Big trees: Incorporate large trees on patios or even inside the house for a striking natural presence.
Living roofs: Green roofs provide insulation and foster biodiversity.
Organic architecture: Design elements like arched entryways or curved countertops can evoke natural forms.
Playing with light and color
Biophilic design isn’t just about adding plants. It also involves smart use of light and color. Natural light is essential for regulating the body's circadian rhythms, which control our sleep-wake cycles and hormones. If your home or office lacks natural light, consider mimicking it with varying lighting levels throughout the day.
Earth tones are another easy way to bring nature indoors. Using healthy, vibrant colors like deep greens and blues can have positive psychological effects. However, as Jana Söderlund, author of The Emergence of Biophilic Design, explains, it's important to avoid colors that mimic dying nature, such as orangey-yellows, which can evoke negative feelings. Instead, choose tones that reflect a healthy, thriving environment.
Why we need biophilic design in workplaces
The typical office worker spends around 8-9 hours a day indoors, a habit that can have negative health impacts. Studies show that being confined to indoor spaces for long periods can reduce metabolism, increase the risk of heart disease and depression, and lead to chronic pain from inactivity.
Incorporating biophilic design into the workplace has been shown to boost productivity and creativity while reducing absenteeism and stress. The more natural an office feels, the better the results. For example, wood is a key material in biophilic design, offering a strong visual connection to nature through its natural grains and textures. Whether used in flooring, walls, or furniture, wood creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances well-being.
Conclusion
Biophilic design is more than a trend; it’s a way to reconnect with nature in our increasingly urban and indoor lives. Whether at home, in the office, or in a healthcare setting, incorporating natural elements into our surroundings can have profound effects on our mood, productivity, and overall health. As we continue to spend more time indoors, bringing nature inside can help restore that crucial human connection to the world around us.
Monserrat Menendez, Interior Designer
Drawing on years of professional expertise in interior design, Ms. Menendez presently excels as the founder and president of Senom Design. Through Senom, she aims to make projects not only beautiful, but sustainable, healthy, and approachable. Similarly, she specializes in turnkey rentals and property staging, custom product design, pre-construction, and more working with Iconic Modern Home in the Hamptons, New York City and Connecticut.
