The trends of interior design do tend to swing back and forth somewhat regularly. Aside from the fact that design preferences are cyclical, leading a different kind of vintage style to come back every so often, there are trends that tend to directly respond to those that came before them, too. The modern, minimalist, sleek and clean look has been in for a while now and, while not completely gone yet, we have started to see a much greater interest in looks that feel more raw and natural. Biophilic design might be the furthest extent of that spirit, but what does it mean, and how can you incorporate it in your home?
The Benefits of Biophilic Design
This is a school of interior design that bridges the gap between modern living and the outside world by better incorporating a whole slew of natural elements in your home. Aside from helping you maintain a more natural aesthetic, studies have shown that being surrounded by natural elements can help relieve stress, boost your mood, and even help cognitive function. Some elements of biophilic design can even improve sleep health and immune function.
Connecting To Your Garden
There’s already one space available to many homes that’s likely to be guided by biophilic principles: the garden. Strengthening your connection to your outdoor spaces can help you enjoy the benefits they have to offer all the more. Installing French doors from places like Vivid Doors, soldering glass panels, or bi-fold doors to open your home out onto the patio or garden can create a much more seamless tradition between interior and exterior. Aside from better access to greenery, it can also help freshen then air and invite a lot more natural light into your space.
Welcome Your Plants In
The garden isn’t the only place your plant life can flourish. Houseplants are one of the foundations of biophilic design, allowing you to incorporate in your home the kind of vibrancy that can only be found in nature. Whether it’s a small succulent or a towering fig, you can find the plants that fit your space easily with the help of stores like Beards and Daisies, purifying your air, managing humidity levels, and even reducing noise levels to some degree. Few home design options promote calm and ease stress as effectively as a lovely houseplant.
Consider Adding A Water Element
While more often considered an outdoor addition, you can incorporate water elements inside the home, as well. Although it may occasionally hasten your journey to the toilet, the sound of running water can create an excellent calming ambience in the home, soothing your senses and helping you drift off. Aquariums are the most popular option, but indoor fountains and tabletop water features are becoming more popular, too. Just be mindful that if you have any pets or kids in the home, adding these can become a splash hazard.
Choose Natural Materials
Another of the cornerstones of biophilic design is the use of natural materials in your home’s design and decor. There are all kinds of materials that you can use more regularly, including wood, stone, bamboo, and cork. Many of these work well as flooring options, countertops, and even walls. With the help of wood cladding, it’s easy to add a touch of real wood texture and depth to your walls without having to replace your existing ones. Aside from the fact that they last much longer and age more gracefully than most materials, natural materials also tend to be easier to clean and maintain.
Go Organic With Your Colour Schemes
Natural materials and design can be reinforced and strengthened with the right choice of colour schemes, as well. Few choices can change the psychology of space as much as colour. Choosing nature-inspired palettes, such as verdant greens, earthy browns, soft blues and neutral tones can help you create an atmosphere that is more grounding and relaxing in your home. Whether you do it through your wall pint, furniture choices, textile additions, or otherwise, incorporating natural colours can help a lot.
Maximise Your Natural Light
If you’re looking to go well and truly natural with your home design, then you should use what nature already provides. Sunlight is precisely where you should start. Natural light plays such an important role in creating a comfortable space, improving your mood, lighting energy levels, and creating a more uplifting atmosphere across the board. Choose lighter window treatments, such as sheer curtains or blinds that allow the sunlight to filter in better even while maintaining your privacy. If you want to go a little further, you can install skylights or sun tunnels to make the most out of the sunlight throughout the entire day.
Let The Fresh Air In
Alongside welcoming in the sun, you should consider letting the fresh air in, as well. Improving the ventilation in your home can greatly improve indoor air quality, reduce humidity, and eliminate any stubborn or stagnant odours. Opening your windows more often is an easy way to do this, but you can also install retractable screens or vented windows to allow fresh air to flow into the home more often. Just be mindful that you have a way to close them when the colder weather comes in the winter, too.
Use Nature-Inspired Artworks
Nature-inspired designs in your art can be a powerful way to incorporate the spirit of nature all the more in your home. Paintings of flowers, natural landscapes, the sky, and more can be the perfect way to bring those biophilic elements into a space, especially one that might not have room for houseplants, such as your bathroom. Of course, you should choose pieces that resonate with your personal style and not just the theme. Artwork has a much deeper impact if looking at it gives you some semblance of personal connection.
Biophilic design is very much in, right now, and has a plethora of real benefits to add to your home. Consider it if you’re thinking of redesigning your space.
