Biophilic is a tendency to communicate with the natural surroundings. The ideas are explored in biophilic design, which combines natural aspects with both architecture and interior design. This biophilic form of interior design creates spaces with a seamless blend of built and unbuilt elements. Bringing natural improvements into built-up areas makes spaces more sustainable and can help extend the lives of its inhabitants.
All of us are willing to respond positively to nature- the fire, the rain, the green colour of plants, the closeness to animals. This, together with today's critical environmental conditions and rapid urbanisation, made people focus on environmentally conscious projects to feel nature. The compressed earth structures, recycled materials and furniture, site reformation and solar energy orientation. The activity was so driven by green architecture that it resulted in creating a biological connection with nature was biophilic.
Also Read: Rooms in a House: Exploring the Diversity of Spaces Within Your Home
Principal of Biophilic Interior Design
Biophilic design promotes well-being by adding elements that create a logical relationship between nature, human biology and your home. This includes using natural materials, adding greenery, lots of natural light and space for natural ventilation.
Successful implementation of biophilic design principles induces a variety of physical, mental and behavioural aspects.
- Physical aspects include better fitness, lower blood pressure and fewer symptoms.
- Mental aspects include motivation, productivity, creativity and reduced stress and anxiety.
- Behavioural and cognitive changes include improved coping skills, improved concentration, and increased social interaction.
Material Choices for Biophilic Interior
In connection with environmental crises and increased attention to well-being, people have adopted ecologically conscious architecture, which aims to bring about a change in current practice, starting from the construction of projects.
The materials used to build our homes comes from the natural resources available on our earth and the minimal treatment of the materials of the local landscape, reflecting the local geology to reinforce authenticity and a sense of place and promote sustainability.
Include Nature in Your Interior
One of the most visible and common ways to incorporate biophilic elements into their interiors is through greenery, water and fire elements. The benefits of landscaping or adding plants indoors are endless. However, from the point of view of biophilic design, plants are not chosen casually but based on climatic conditions, geographical features and availability, so that the interiors are truly one with the surroundings.
Seeing, hearing or touching water reduces stress, increases calmness and concentration, and lowers heart rate, prompting you to install water walls, aquariums, miniature ponds and fountains.
Opt for Natural Lighting
Today, especially after recent changes in work dynamics, time is mostly spent in rooms lit by both artificial and natural lighting. But all the design possibilities and flexibility offered by artificial light have not yet replaced how the human body responds to natural light, nor how much it needs to function properly. The human biological cycle is mainly influenced by light, followed by temperature and other natural elements. Strong exposure to artificial light, especially at night, alters the body's biological clock and affects productivity, appetite and energy levels.
Natural light ensures that the characteristics of artificial light are almost identical to it. The biophilic characteristics of light also include the variables of light and shadow and how their intensity and the way they complement each other in space affect the visual comfort of the user.
Ways to Bring Nature into Your Home
Biophilic interior design is about bringing nature closer to us, using flora, natural light, textures and materials that have a positive impact on our daily lives.
Welcome the Natural Light
Lots of light balances our hormones and regulates mood to produce a good hormone known as oxytocin in your body giving the energy that is required to carry out your daily activities.
You can also clear areas by removing obstructions from windowsills. Remove heavy dark curtains with lighter curtains that will bring natural light into your home. Floor lamps, candles and teacups can be used to restore natural light and improve mood.
Glass tables and mirrors can be used for more reflective surfaces. Rooms with windows can be a great setting for your reading when Mother Nature sweeps you away from the hanging plants on your balcony.
Embrace the Natural Colour Schemes
Seek out organic colour alternatives when exploring biophilic colour schemes. Drawing inspiration from the diverse hues found in nature extends beyond earth tones and lush greens.
The options are vast, if you're undecided, reflect on your preferred natural setting, whether it be the calming tones of the beach or the dynamic spectrum of the sky, transitioning from blue to pink and grey. Additionally, consider the warm tones of deserts.
Incorporate Natural Colour Solutions
Seek organic colour alternatives by exploring a biophilic palette influenced by nature. It's essential to recognize that this colour scheme extends beyond earthy tones and lush greens.
It offers a diverse array of colours. When struggling to choose, reflect on your preferred natural setting, such as the calming hues of the beach or the dynamic colours of the sky and desert landscapes with warm tones.
Green Home Designs
It's no surprise that biophilic design supports green in all its forms, whether it's decorating with plants or using green paint. Interestingly, even if you don't want houseplants in your home, just a glimpse of the green colour proved useful.
The green slows down our heart rate. Green walls, furniture or a combination of these create a calming space that mimics the benefits of being outdoors.
Lifestyle Walls
An indoor wall garden is a common part of biophilic design. They are usually built from modular panels that contain soil and plants.
Plants used as a living wall must be able to grow in close proximity to each other and in limited soil. Plants that go well with green walls are creeping figs, pothos and philodendrons. Boabla moss is a low-maintenance solution for indoor green walls that can be used to create unique patterns without sunlight or water.
Adding living walls to your interior offers a number of benefits, including better air quality, lower noise levels and increased visual interest.
Enhancing Your Home by Natural Elements
Biophilic design can also look less precise. Decorate your home with natural plants and add texture, colour combinations and figurines that bring nature into your interior of your home.
Match the interior materials that are available at your outdoor space like wood, mud, stone and water. Adding subtle references to nature is an easy and often inexpensive way to promote the relaxing qualities of biophilic design.
Potted Plants
In biophilic interior design, incorporating plants is crucial for various reasons. Beyond enhancing indoor elegance, plants offer health advantages such as:
- Purifying air
- Elevating oxygen levels
- Alleviating stress
- Fostering productivity and creativity, contributing to overall happiness and well-being.
Fill greenery into interior spaces unveils an excess of opportunities and potentials.
Potted plants are not only decorative and can perform many functions indoors, such as:
- Separating space
- Adding a texture layer
- Creating a focal point
- Emphasising features
- Changing the perceived scale
Significance of Biophilic Interior Design
Biophilic design represents the city as a combination of urbanism, development, technology and the natural environment. It allows us to experience nature and feel part of it even in the most congested cities. It is safe to say that biophilic design will become a design standard because we are intertwined with nature.
Climate change, pandemic, innovation, focus on mental well-being. Currently, they are the catalysts that accelerate the adoption of biophilic design and show that its impact goes beyond stunning qualities. Green infrastructure can help reduce carbon emissions, increase plant and wildlife diversity, and even regulate building temperatures.
The biophilic design begins with the right state of mind and the desire to improve the relationship with nature. Incorporating it into our living and working environment is relatively easy. Whether you're starting small, making strategic changes, or designing from the ground up, biophilic design is available to any individual or business, regardless of budget or space limitations. You have many ways to add nature to their workplace - artwork, plants, healthy landscape colours or a green roof terrace.
DIY Biophilic Interior Design Into Your Home
- Decorating with plants is definitely an effective way to clean the air of toxic environments and improve well-being.
- The advantage is that no land is needed to use it. You can have your potted family hanging out on the balcony or in designated areas around the house.
- Don't worry about your gardening inexperience. As a beginner, you can start with succulents, cacti and air plants to develop your plant care and gardening skills. Later, you can add indoor gardening, such as planting fish teas, liverworts and ferns, or fig leaves.
- You can improve your gardening skills by learning whether your potted family likes direct sunlight, a well-lit room, how often to water them and how much humidity they need. It can also be distinguished from its natural habitat, such as the thicket of ferns drying on lighted window sills or non-blooming cacti in a dark, damp room.
- Artwork has been found to reduce anxiety. You can play with abstract and beautiful natural prints. You can add beautiful soft furnishings to the biophilic design, such as cushions with flower prints or cushions with plant motifs.
- Use materials such as wood, clay, cork, and wool to give your home a natural feel and aesthetic. The materials are timeless and add personality to your rooms. The advantage of their environmental friendliness and recycling. They can be combined with recycled furniture or floors. Jute or cotton cloth or stone board can be included.
- Abundant light regulates our mood and restores hormonal balance. Use the light curtains instead of dark and heavy. This brings natural light to your home.
- Roll down the windows for a few minutes to let fresh air into your rooms. Let your plants connect you with the season as they draw fresh air into your space. You can also keep humidifiers and diffusers for stimulating and relaxing days.
- Use your corner of home and set it aside for reading and meditation. Relaxing music playing in the background and potted plants create a satisfying atmosphere to help you unwind after a long day.
Conclusion
Biophilic design emerges as a highly trending interior design, tapping into the current influence of nature. Biophilic design underscores the bond between humans and nature, seeking a balanced connection by integrating natural elements into green building approaches. It contributes to lowering energy usage, enhancing air quality, and promoting a healthier indoor setting. Its incorporation enhances the building's sustainability, making it a valuable component of any sustainable construction plan. Additionally, biophilic interior design aids in stress reduction for occupants by incorporating soothing visual elements and fostering well-being through increased interaction with nature.
