In an age where people are starting to question whether technology plays too large a role in their lives, it’s perhaps understandable to see a growing movement towards reconnecting with nature.
You might have seen the word ‘biophilic’ pop up in the more lifestyle-obsessed parts of Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest, but what does it mean for interior design to be biophilic and how can you follow that ethos in your own home? Let’s explore.
What is biophilic design?
Biophilia translates from ancient Greek as ‘a love of nature’ – so biophilic design simply means design that emphasises incorporating elements of nature. It can be applied to the bigger picture of design through architecture or within a room or building through interior design. The aim is to make sure that our living and working spaces foster that connection between ourselves and the outside world.
The benefits of biophilic design
Exposure to plants, whether passively or by actively looking after them, is consistently shown to be a good thing for humans. Studies have found that taking care of plants helps reduce strain on our mental health, and that doesn’t even need to go beyond simple watering.
Being in the presence of nature can help focus our minds, relax us and make us more productive – if you’ve ever been stuck in a stuffy, grey, windowless office and felt like your head was trudging through treacle, biophilic design is a great answer to that feeling.
How to bring it into your home
If you’re interested in bringing a more biophilic philosophy into your home, you’re not alone. Research by fitted furniture specialists Hammonds found that Google searches for “biophilic design” grew 21% in the past year while users on Instagram have made over 8.1 million posts about #houseplants.
Indeed, incorporating more houseplants into your home is the most straightforward way to achieve greater biophilic harmony. Hammonds’ research showed that one of the most popular plant choices in the UK is the Chinese money plant, with over 79,000 related searches per month. Named for superstitions surrounding it bringing owners good fortune, it’s a pretty and unobtrusive species with uniquely circular leaves that might be a good choice to brighten up a home office.
Other ways of achieving a biophilic design might include making better use of natural light. Could you rearrange furniture or decorations to let more light into your spaces? Perhaps you could add a skylight to a living room or kitchen to make them more relaxing.
Consider also the possibility of adding a water feature, which can have a grounding effect. An artificial fountain or fish tank can be perfect for this purpose – perhaps especially the latter, as taking care of fish can be very fulfilling.
How will you bring a biophilic approach into your home decoration?
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