It is a well-known fact exposure to nature can reduce blood pressure, ease muscle tension, curb stress hormones, and more. But the truth is, as urbanization increases and hectic schedules take over, spending time in nature becomes challenging. But what if nature can come to you? This is the core of biophilic design concepts.
In essence, biophilic design encourages the incorporation of natural elements into one’s home. Whether you’re interested in it for its aesthetic appeal, its beneficial effects, or both, you’re in the right place!
This guide goes into the fundamentals of biophilic interior design and how to use these elements to spruce up your home!
Let’s begin!
What Is Biophilic Design?
The term “biophilic design” comes from the root word “biophilia” which means “love of life or of living things.” The term was first used in 1964 by the famous psychologist Erich Fromm. Fromm stated that humans have an innate affinity with nature.
Eventually “biophilic” was adopted as a design concept. While this concept was only coined in recent decades, many say that it was very much alive even in ancient times.
Why Is Biophilic Design So Popular?
Many would agree that the beauty of nature is timeless; old forests, sandy beaches, and mountain ranges never lose their appeal. And because nature holds a timeless appeal, biophilic interior design is wildly popular amongst homeowners who refuse to ride a passing design trend.
The closer that a biophilic design scheme gets to recreating the beauty of nature, the more calming the space becomes. Through biophilic design, one can create a refuge from the fast-paced pressures of the modern world.
The Elements of Biophilic Design
1. An Array of Living Indoor Plants
Plants are a staple in biophilic interior design. Whether you have multi-level potted plants in a bare space, small plants on shelves, or hanging aerial plants here and there, you are bound to achieve a biophilic aesthetic with added greenery.
Because the plants take centre stage in this design concept, try to find a way to elevate small plants off the floor. Using a pot pedestal, rack, or shelf is advisable.
Lastly, when choosing plants, make sure to consider their sunlight requirements and their own separate watering needs. If you will be buying a large number of different plants, labelling them may be a good idea so you can keep track of them all.
2. Living Walls
Why stop at potted or hung plants when you can also have living walls outside? Living walls, also known as green walls, help boost your home’s biophilic aesthetic and purify the air around you. This type of vertical gardening is highly recommended for urban homes. The best part is that outdoor green walls can survive cold climates—it just takes the proper setup, plant selection, and due care.
3. Window Box Planters
Window box planters never fail at adding a touch of beauty to a house. They are particularly recommended for biophilic interior designs. With lush plants on your window box, you’ll boost the look of your home’s facade while also having a sliver of greenery just outside the window. This type of addition is, therefore, able to impact both the interior and exterior of your home.
4. Aquariums, Terrariums, Paludariums, and Tabletop Gardens
Biophilia is about celebrating life and nature. One of the creative ways to do so is to set up your own aquarium, terrarium, or paludarium (an aquarium and terrarium in one). If you plan to set up a DIY terrarium, aquarium, or paludarium, make sure to do extensive research on what the plants and/or fish will need. And of course, if you want to start out simple, then a tabletop garden for your coffee table will also do wonders for your space!
5. Increased Natural Light
So far, we’ve emphasized how much plants can do for your biophilic interior design project. As you take in more plants, make sure to pair this with increased natural light. This can be done by replacing, enlarging, or adding windows.
For plants, nothing can replace the life-giving rays of the sun. And with the right low-E coated replacement windows, you get the bonus of giving your plants natural light with reduced UV exposure.
6. A Showcase of the View Outside
Whether you’re designing for a cozy cottage by the lake or for a house with a lush backyard garden, showcase whatever natural view is available. This can be done with strategically placed windows, whether they’re large fixed windows or operational. You can also consider getting patio doors that have larger sheets of glass.
What matters is that you capture and show off the natural view available.
7. A Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Another key element of biophilic interior design is a seamless indoor-outdoor flow. A biophilic house is one that would encourage you to spend time outdoors—whether that means spending time in your backyard enclosure or getting access to adjacent woods.
Getting floor-to-ceiling-windows or sliding patio doors will help you achieve this. The indoor-outdoor visual flow also remains uninterrupted even when sliding patio doors are closed.
8. A Sun Room
Sunlight isn’t just necessary for the additional plants you’ll be getting to pull off a biophilic design. Natural light, in and of itself, is an element in biophilic design. Furthermore, added natural light is linked to a long list of health benefits.
To get plenty of natural light in your home consider converting your front porch into a sunroom. Aside from being a well of natural light, the sunroom can also serve as an insulated indoor-outdoor area during the winter.
9. Moving Water
Water is another element of biophilic design. Whether you set up a fish pond or a water fountain trickling through a rock garden outside, you are sure to boost your home’s biophilic style. These spots can also serve as quiet meditation areas when you just need time to think.
If you’d like to start small, tabletop fountains can also do wonders for your home’s biophilic interior design.
10. Natural Decor & Furniture
When it comes to biophilic design, the more natural materials and textures present in your home, the better. The following ideas might just work for you:
- Consider getting furniture with natural wood or rattan accents.
- Replace a portion of your bathroom’s tiles with natural stone tiles.
- Get earth-toned granite countertops.
- Add vases made of natural stone.
The possibilities are simply limitless—with Mother Nature as your muse, you will never run out of ideas!
Get Added Natural Light With Clera Windows & Patio Doors
Added natural light is one of the most crucial elements of biophilic interior design. Having more sunlight ensures the healthy growth of indoor plants and also helps to highlight the elements of the entire design scheme.
The latter purpose doesn’t just apply to biophilic design. In fact, whether you have a modern, classic, farmhouse, cottagecore, rustic, industrial, or any type of home design, added natural light will further accentuate the beauty of your home—while also uplifting the mood of the space.
If you’re looking to get more natural light but would like to avoid the damaging effects of harsh UV rays, Clera windows and patio doors are just what you need. The glass we use for our products is low-E coated to block harsh UV rays. On top of that, they provide added energy efficiency. All our windows and doors are designed and manufactured for optimum durability and seamless style.
Check out our collection today, or contact us if you have more questions about implementing a biophilic design in your home!
