Biophilic Design Is About Connecting With Nature—Here's How to Utilize the Décor Trend In Your Home (2024)

This design theory aims to connect our spaces to the natural world through light, materials, and shapes.

There are so many different design styles to choose from when deciding how you want your home to look. From bare-bones minimalism to mid-century modern and maximalism, there is no shortage of design inspiration.

One design principle that is currently gaining popularity is biophilic design. The concept is not new by any measure—its origins can be traced to the mid-1980s—but more designers are using this principle to shape their overall design philosophy, bringing elements of nature into their work through textiles, materials, light, and color. To fully understand what biophilic design is and how you can incorporate it in your space (plus, why you should), we spoke with designers who shed some light on the style.

Related: 20 Nature-Inspired Paint Colors That Bring the Outside In

Biophilic Design, Explained

At its core, biophilic design is about connecting our living spaces more thoughtfully to nature, bringing the outdoors in. "It aims to reconnect people with nature by integrating natural forms, materials, light, and other elements, fostering a healthier and more balanced living space," says Meredith Huck, founder and principal designer of House of Huck.

The 6 Principles of Biophilic Design

Six core foundational principles make biophilic design what it is today.

Environmental Features

Incorporating environmental features means quite literally bringing aspects like plants, water, and sunlight into your home. "Think potted plants and greenery, wood or stone furniture pieces, or even skylights to flood your home with natural light," says Amy Peltier, founder of Peltier Interiors.

Natural Shapes and Forms

Curves, rounded objects, and arches are all part of using natural shapes and forms in your home design. It's easier than ever to do this as curvy furniture has become increasingly on-trend as more people look to soften their interiors. "Adding curves and rounded elements to a space gives it a beautiful organic feel," says Peltier. "I love to incorporate arched doorways, or even a kidney-shaped sofa or coffee table to soften up a room."

Related: 7 Furniture Trends That Will Make You Want to Redecorate in 2024, According to Interior Designers

Restorative Patterns and Processes

Restorative patterns and processes are all about awakening your senses in your home with natural patterns—think repetitive sounds like bird song from your windows or incorporating natural textures that provide a more tactile experience. "This principle promotes physical and psychological restoration by incorporating features found in nature for a calming effect," Peltier says. "Think of your five senses and how your home can tap into those to enrich your everyday life.I added a wind chime outside my office window and find the soothing sound a refreshing distraction during my day."

Light and Space

Natural light is a critical component of biophilic design. "All roads lead back to natural light and creating moments to mimic that inside with shadows and expansive ceiling heights," says Kelsey Haywood, owner and principal designer of Haywoodmade Interiors.

Place-Based Relationships

Take a look at your surrounding environment, and think about how your immediate ecological surroundings can be infused into your space. "A way to embrace this through design is through color palettes," Peltier says. "Drawing inspiration from the natural color palette, using colors that resonate with the landscape, whether it's the hues of local flora or the tones of regional earth and stone."

Evolved Human-Nature Relationships

At its core, the human-nature relationship is entrenched in a sense of refuge and protection, and most often makes its way into interior design through cozy rooms that enhance this sense of safety. "This deep-rooted relationship between humans and nature is one of the core elements of biophilic design," says Peltier. "The principle aims to bring this connection into our homes and workplaces. By doing so, this improves your overall well-being and creates a stronger sense of connection to your surroundings."

Why You Should Use Biophilic Design

Your home is your sanctuary, and you should feel calm, protected, and rooted within it—all concepts that are core to biophilic design. "I think everyone can agree that incorporating the natural environment into your home can help improve their mental health, air quality, and bring a sense of calm," says Peltier. "Even the smallest items such as plants can achieve this."

Additionally, biophilic design helps capture and incorporate those moments that are indescribable, something that is often seen and felt in nature, says Nicole Lanteri, owner of Nicole Lanteri Design. It's about "the natural marble surfaces that you touch over and over and gush over, those architectural details that make people say 'they just don't build buildings like they used to,' or the flutter of light that dances in a room when the sun comes in just the right way," Lanteri says. "By using the concept as a principle of design, it helps to be sure you capture these moments of magic that make a home feel special."

Tips for Incorporating Biophilic Design Into Your Home

If you're thinking of using biophilic design to inform your space, there are some easy ways to achieve this. And if you're stuck, just ask yourself—how can you bring the outside in?

Bring Natural Shapes In

Curves, curves, curves—whether rounded mirrors, curved sofas, or bean-shaped tables and accents—are a good starting place for making your space feel more organic. "Use natural shapes in your spaces, such as curves, to make a space feel inviting and connected," says Lanteri. "In this space, we used curves in the main furniture pieces to make their main family room space feel easy to use with young children and also to entertain family and friends."

Add Low-Maintenance Plants

You don't have to turn your home into a forest—simply add some potted plants in various areas of your home to get that pop of greenery and life. "Showcase the outdoors and add low-maintenance plants to the mix," says Haywood. "This is something we do for all of our projects (in varying degrees) and find it to be a major contributor to mood and the attachment feeling of a space. It sets the stage for a holistic experience of the space."

Incorporate Natural Light

Take advantage of every way you can incorporate natural light into your home, like large windows and skylights, if possible. And natural light doesn't have to be relegated to just your main living spaces. Your bathroom is an opportunity to let the light shine, too. "In this bathroom addition in Northwest Washington DC, we captured different levels of light with the tall windows that allow daylight in as if you were outside that can be softened with drapes made of a natural material, then the frosted glass door to the water closet to carry that light with you, and the mirrors to bring that reflect that natural light into the vanity space," Lanteri says.

Related: 26 Easy—and Impactful—Bathroom Upgrades That Cost Less Than $100

Embrace Natural Materials

When planning the surfaces in your home, look to materials like stone, marble, or wood to inform choices about your furniture, countertops, or flooring. "We are always adding natural elements into our designs," Peltier says."Natural materials like marble and stained wood are at the core of our approachable design style."

Source Fabrics That Capture Natural Elements

If you're thinking about reupholstering a couch, choosing fabric for window treatments, or even deciding on pillow covers, keep natural elements in mind, like florals, leaves, and butterflies. "Newton Paisley designs tell the stories of endangered and neglected species, whilst rejoicing in their extraordinary diversity and beauty," says Lanteri, who used the brand's Carolina Monarch Linen to cover sofa cushions.

Choose Paint Colors Inspired By Nature

Painting your walls is an easy way to instantly transform your space, and bring some natural color to your home. "Opt for earthy tones and nature-inspired color palettes," says Huck. Think hues that include verdant greens, saffron oranges, or nautical blues.

Related: We're Calling It: Blue Is the Official 2024 Color of the Year—Here's How to Use It in Your Home

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.