Biophilia in Interior Design

Bio…what?!

Merriam-Webster defines biophilia as “a hypothetical human tendency to interact or be closely associated with other forms of life in nature : a desire or tendency to commune with nature”.

Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2019.

That’s all well and good, you might say…What’s that got to do with interior design?

Biophilia is a word I’ve seen floating around a lot lately. It’s become a trendy term that encompasses the significance of how people relate to nature in their everyday environments. 

Biophilic interior design addresses the human need to engage with nature, especially since modern life finds us spending most of our lives in enclosed artificial spaces, separating us from the natural world. Biophilic interior design tries to incorporate natural elements into these built interior spaces, addressing natural lighting, open and accessible views to the outside, indoor greenery, naturally sourced materials for furniture and finishes, and furniture and finishes that remind us of the features we find in nature. This approach to indoor styling reassesses interior environments, placing more importance on natural aesthetics and lighting and exploring the impact on the occupants’ psychological and physical well-being. A perfect design will blur the line between interior and exterior spaces and create a calm and serene space.

As for effects on mental well-being, it is well known that calm, serene environments promote a sense of healing. We are instinctively drawn to places of healing, like moths to a flame. Human beings have a subconscious reaction--a primal need--to find healing in nature. And our environment—both built and natural—has a direct psychological impact on us. Natural surroundings open up our creativity and give us a sense of comfort and peace. Isn’t this why we all cherish vacations to beautiful places like national parks, the mountains, campgrounds, and the seashore?

Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2019.

But can biophilic design improve our physical health? Research says yes. Just being around natural things—or things that remind us of nature—can lower blood pressure. Calmer, healthier individuals have better cognitive abilities, perform better at work, are more engaged in their surroundings, and get along better with those around them. For those with a green thumb (or “wannabes”), taking care of plants can be therapeutic. And as a bonus, plants help filter the air. People who feel better also tend to take better care of themselves, so I view biophilic design as a more holistic approach to design--thinking about the whole person and how that relates to the space they will occupy.

Image from Pixabay.

Image from Pixabay.

Biophilic design is near and dear to my heart. It’s the reason why I create “nature-inspired” designs. I believe wholeheartedly that it is crucial to surround yourself with things that bring you closer to nature, even while you are trapped indoors. Artists like myself tend to spend more time indoors, making it critical to have access to natural surroundings to stabilize mood and inspire creativity. So, I think it’s just a natural inclination to be interested in how biophilia can be incorporated into an interior space, particularly the more holistic design approaches.

What are some design options that will help you embrace this design ideal? There are countless ways to bring the essence of the outdoors into your home, and which way you choose will depend on your tastes and budget. 

The simplest, most budget-friendly option is to bring greenery and flowers into your space. This approach can be as simple as creating floral arrangements around the room—mixing live and artificial florals in arrangements or including floral candleholders—and complementing these with organic tablescapes. Using actual greenery is essential, as it will bring a necessary vibrance to hanging planters and flower arrangements. You could even go strictly green (with no flowers), creating plant groupings or vertical green walls that combine several types of plants to create a more engaging visual impact.

Image from Pixabay.

Bring water into the home--the only thing more soothing than greenery is water. Placing a water feature in a space will create a calm visual and aural space. There are tons of water features to choose from, ranging from cheap tabletop models to full-on floor or wall feature extravaganzas! Place comfortable seating in the space where you can close your eyes, relax, and meditate on the rhythmic sounds.

If you have a larger budget, maybe a room makeover—and extra landscaping—is the way to go. Inside finishes—such as floral or textured wallpaper, textured fabrics, wall art with nature scenes, furniture with the look and feel of raw wood, and the use of stone—can go a long way toward establishing a more natural look within your space. But don’t forget the view from the outside! Frank Lloyd Wright created buildings that were deliberately designed with the idea that you could expand the interior space by allowing for ample views of the outside. Exterior views could include interior courtyards filled with lush plant life (my dream) or landscaped gardens outside windows and doorways.

Biophilic design is not just adding a plant or two to a space. The design concept addresses the WHOLE space, how each element works with another, and how the entire finished space ultimately affects you. 

Here’s the thing…Interior design trends come and go, but biophilia never goes out of style because it is a basic human need to surround ourselves with nature. And it’s nothing new. Frank Lloyd Wright was doing it throughout the 20th century (with the iconic Fallingwater being one of my favorite examples), with his emphasis on creating buildings that are “of” the landscape instead of sitting on the landscape, with interior concepts that reflected the need to expand interior spaces by framing views to the outside. Biophilic design elements are versatile enough to be incorporated into any design trend. The Scandinavian hygge style works well with natural materials like wood or wool blankets. Or the popular coastal design style, with its airiness and white or weathered woods. And especially one of my favorite styles for its use of natural decor and plants--Bohemian. But really, it doesn’t matter what style because there are always ways to incorporate nature into an interior.

Image from Pixabay.

Even a minimal, streamlined style like Mid Century Modern can be easily enhanced by adding organic elements like plants or natural textiles. This particular style works well with biophilic design elements. The orderly lines of modern furniture, lighting, and decor are balanced with the unpredictable nature of plant leaves, water, or natural stone. Juxtaposing a modern wood table with tabletop plants or large leafy plants in metal or ceramic pots introduces a softening element to the space in what could otherwise be a cold, sterile environment.

Hopefully, you gleaned something valuable about biophilic design from today’s article. I could go on about biophilic design for days! Have you embraced biophilic design in your own space? Feel free to share your own experiences and thoughts in the comments!

Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2019.

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Related blog posts you may want to read:
Design concept for a dreamy coastal interior
Let's talk Bohemian