When you think of home décor, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s selecting the perfect colour palette, creating a mood board or finding the right lighting to set the ambience? Maybe, as a final touch, you add a few potted plants or arrange a terrarium on a side table. It’s no secret that nature is linked to wellbeing, and, nowadays, many are familiar with the benefits of bringing the outdoors inside to create a calming space.
Therapeutic design
But while houseplants are a nice addition to the scene, they’re just the beginning. This is where biophilic design comes in – a concept that goes beyond decoration and delves into creating an immersive connection with nature. It’s a practice that helps to create a truly healing environment through use of natural light, natural materials, your senses and a sensitivity to place.
‘The word biophilia, meaning “love of life”, focuses on humankind’s innate desire to have that biological connection with the natural world,’ says Marianna Popejoy (above), interior designer and author of At Home with Nature: How to use biophilic interior design principles to create a happy, healthy home. ‘That hypothesis was then introduced to the architecture and sustainability world through [Yale University professor of social ecology], Stephen R Kellert, who coined the phrase “biophilic design”. He leveraged that need for connection between humans and nature, suggesting that we should be prioritising that link when designing buildings.’ In short, biophilic design is about creating a healing environment that connects you to nature and supports you from the minute you step through the door.
Used to its full extent, biophilic design creates spaces that engage all five senses to create a deep and holistic connection to nature through six core principles: environmental features, natural shapes and forms, restorative patterns and processes, light and space, place-based relationships, and evolved human-nature relationships. Taken together, they offer a multisensory experience that transforms how you interact with your immediate environment.
There are myriad ways to bring biophilic design into your home, many of which are inexpensive and accessible. ‘Light and space’, for example, which Marianna says are crucial for mood and visual appeal, can be achieved by maximising natural lighting. ‘Even things like the way that you hang your drapes or curtains can help you bring more of that natural light into the home,’ she says. A window with a clear view onto trees, for example, might be best left clear of nets and dressed in a way to maximise the light and enjoy the outside world – studies have suggested that post-operative hospital patients whose windows overlooked a natural setting enjoyed speedier recoveries than those who looked out onto a brick wall. Marianna notes that thoughtful lighting design, especially in spaces where natural light is limited, can also support sleep by picking up on the circadian rhythms.
Natural shapes and forms, meanwhile, which add both visual and tactile richness, can be introduced with features that mimic them, such as curved furniture and flowing lines. Even basic items, such as a wooden chopping board, linen or a cosy wool throw will nourish the human need for natural forms.
Colour, on the other hand, is a great way to bring restorative patterns and processes into the mix. ‘It’s [also] great for seasonality,’ says Marianna, who suggests seasonal foliage as one way of introducing colour. ‘Dried broom, which is a lovely ochre colour, or dried hydrangeas,’ are just two of her examples, and she adds that foliage also introduces textures and smells that bring freshness to a space and avoid stagnation. Placing seasonal foods on worktops or where they are visible – like vibrant rhubarb in spring, leafy basil or tomatoes in summer, autumn squash or crisp apples and winter beets – also provide colourful links to the time of year.
Fill the senses
Sound is key here, too, and Marianna suggests filling your space with non-rhythmic sensory stimuli, such as rustling leaves. ‘Plants are great for this effect,’ she says, as they create gentle movement and sounds that ‘allow for daydreaming and relaxation’. Gentle natural sounds, such as trickling water or wind chimes, can create an auditory link to nature, even indoors. Personalisation is essential with both soundscapes and natural scents, as Marianna points out: ‘What I might love, you might absolutely hate.’
Place-based relationships of biophilic design, explains Marianna, focus on aligning your space with the local environment and your own heritage, which can enhance a sense of belonging. For example, if you live in a rural area, you might bring in local wood or stone, she says, while city dwellers could incorporate art or cultural pieces that reflect the local community feel. Grounding your space in personal and regional identity in this way, says Marianna, ‘brings heart to the home’.
The biophilic principle of evolved human-nature relationships, meanwhile, involves addressing your innate connection to nature by creating spaces that support relaxation, exploration and emotional wellbeing, which Marianna describes as ‘prospect and refuge’. She explains: ‘Putting aside just a small corner in your home where you can step away from technology, from a protected position, will enable you to tune out negative stimuli while maintaining a view of the world around you where you can fully recharge.’
Bringing it together, Marianna adds: ‘Good biophilic design takes all of the good bits from the great outdoors and invites them in, so that we can function as nature intended. The health benefits of being surrounded by visual stimuli, textures, scents and even sounds that remind us of being out in the natural world while we’re inside our homes and workspaces have been proven in many scientific studies and are endless – from reducing our blood pressure to helping us stay focused.’
Biophilic design goes far beyond mood boards and colour palettes, inviting you to engage with your home in a more holistic and meaningful way. By incorporating all five senses and rooting spaces in local elements, seasonal changes and personal history, it’s possible to create interiors that look beautiful and support wellbeing. Even small changes, like introducing natural textures, enhancing lighting to match the rhythms of the day or adding pieces that reflect the surrounding landscape, can add a profound sense of nourishment to each room. There are many ways to begin, each building a space that is authentically yours, deeply calming and connected to the nature that resonates with you.
Create your space
Marianna’s suggestions for introducing biophilic principles into your home
Ask yourself where you feel truly calm in nature
If the sea helps you relax, bring those elements – colours, textures and even scents – into your space. This creates an environment that triggers similar feelings.
Consider the primary purpose of the space
If a room serves many functions, prioritise and clearly zone these areas. For example, anchor a sitting or sleeping space with a large rug, and use lighting to highlight that area. If you also work in that space, store work-related items in a cupboard or on shelving, so the room can easily return to its main purpose when the workday ends.
Think about natural light
If you’re renovating, plan the layout around those spaces that get the most sunlight, and note the time when they get it, too. You could also reassess how you use the space now. For example, if your living room is only used in the evening, it might not need the sunniest spot in the house. Switching it with the dining room could give you a morning energy boost while creating a darker, cosier space for relaxing at night.
Don’t forget about fresh air
Spending time outdoors reduces stress, so if you have a balcony or garden, make the most of it. A canopy can extend its use year-round, and tall plants or trellises can offer privacy while adding a green boost.
Embrace your personal history
Display family heirlooms or meaningful photos to give your home a sense of place. Biophilic design isn’t about following trends, but about creating a home that reflects who you are and where you belong.
For more about Marianna, visit athomewithnature.co.uk, and follow her on Instagram @marianna.popejoy.interiors. At Home with Nature: How to use biophilic interior design principles to create a happy, healthy home, is available at happypress.uk