There are countless design trends and styles that can help you create beautiful and alluring interiors, but if you’re the type of person that has a close connection with nature and loves to spend time outdoors, then biophilic interior design is definitely the right choice for you. Biophilia, which translates as the love for all things living, is based on the idea that humans are biologically wired to be drawn to and seek communion with nature.
Since we’ve evolved and most of us don’t live in the middle of nature anymore, it makes perfect sense to want to surround yourself with elements inspired by the natural world, which is exactly what biophilic interior design is all about. However, bringing the outdoors indoors is not always that simple or straightforward. The space and budget you have at your disposal, as well as your specific needs and vision also play a big part in it. So, if you’re still trying to figure things out, here are a few ideas that can inspire you and help you enjoy the beauty of nature in your own home.
Surround yourself with plants
The first, and most obvious way to integrate nature into your home is to fill the space with plants – real ones, of course. From your bedroom to your bathroom, you can place plants in every corner of your home. And don’t forget about the balcony, as it is the space with the greatest potential for biophilic design. You can turn this little outdoor extension into a beautiful garden by adding balcony planters and pots.
On a scale from minimal greenery to the Amazonian jungle, it’s up to you to decide how many plants you can fit in every room and how much effort you’re willing to put in to care for them. You might be worried that your lack of botanical knowledge and skills could impede you from keeping plants alive. However, there are numerous indoor species that do well with minimal care, so if you’re not exactly a green thumb, you might want to start with these low-maintenance plants to build your home oasis.
Let the light in
Capturing the essence of nature in your home doesn’t necessarily imply physically bringing things in from the outside world. Sometimes, nature provides us with its wonders for free, as is the case with lighting. If you’re looking for a place to live, or if you’re building your house from scratch, it’s important to factor in window size. Huge windows that flood your home with natural light and fresh air will instantly boost your mood and create the right ambience, not to mention it will help you keep those house pants growing and thriving.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with ample windows, you can also grow an external windowsill garden with a few outdoor planters and some veggie seeds. Getting your hands in the dirt, even if it is in a small home garden, will give you the chance to enhance your connection with nature and put some fresh produce on the table.
Use natural materials
If you want to go more in-depth and integrate nature into your home’s structure, you can do that by using natural materials. You can opt for hardwood floors for your living and bedroom, natural stone tiles for your bathroom and kitchen floors, wooden panels for accent walls, and granite, marble or limestone for kitchen countertops. Apart from adding timeless visual appeal to your interiors, these natural materials are also extremely sturdy and can withstand intense wear and tear if properly maintained.
Beyond floors, countertops and walls, you can also use furnishings made of natural materials. You don’t have to change your entire furniture to get the look you’re after; a few pieces made of wood, wicker, or rattan can help you add a touch of nature to your interior without emptying your bank account. Then you can tie everything together with natural fibre rugs, throws, pillows and other soft furnishings.
Play with nature-inspired colours
Colour is, without a doubt, one of the most effective ways to dramatically transform a space with as little effort as possible. When it comes to biophilic design, you’ll obviously want to choose a colour scheme inspired by nature and the great outdoors. You can use hues of green that remind you of lush greenery and earthy elements; tones of blue that conjure images of the sky and the sea, yellows that mimic the light of the sun and make the space feel brighter, or neutral shades like cream and beige to infuse your interiors with a clean and natural look.
When choosing a colour palette for your home, don’t limit yourself to walls. You can add these hues all throughout the décor, from window coverings to bedding and furniture. However, keep in mind that the colours you use need to complement each other if you want to create a cohesive look for your entire home.
Decorate with natural elements
Last but not least, you need to think about the details. Art, accessories, and other décor elements provide the finishing touches in interior design and add character to a space, so you have to choose them with care. Since the purpose of biophilic design is to bring the outdoors indoors, you can easily do that by incorporating décor pieces made of natural elements such as seashells, wood, stones, sand, pinecones, branches, dried plants, and so on.
If you’re keen on DIY projects, you can create your own decorations using natural materials. That’s a great way to add interest to every room and create unique, personalised decor for your living space.
Keep in mind that designing a space is a very personal experience and you’re the only one that can decide what works for you. Besides, there are plenty of elements that can help you achieve a great biophilic design, so there’s plenty of space to experiment.
