If you’re looking for ways to improve your well-being and beautify your surroundings, you may want to consider trying biophilic design ideas in your home and garden. Biophilic design builds on our need to connect with nature by incorporating natural elements into our home. In doing so, we can create spaces that are more calming and healing. In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home and garden, as well as some of the benefits of doing so.
What is biophilic design?
Biophilic design is a design theory based on the idea that humans have an innate need to connect with nature. This type of design seeks to create spaces that are more closely aligned with our natural environment. Biophilic design can be used in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
The idea of biophilic design was introduced by renowned biologist E.O. Wilson in his 1984 book Biophilia. Wilson outlined a fundamental tendency of human beings to be attracted to nature and emulate its processes and structures in everyday life.
Some common features of biophilic design include:
- Incorporating natural light into a space
- Using natural materials like wood and stone
- Adding plants to your home
- Creating views of nature from inside a space
- Providing access to outdoor spaces
- Incorporating water features
Five ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home and garden
There are many ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home and garden. Here are five ideas to get you started:
Incorporate natural light—Make use of skylights, solar tubes, and windows to bring in more natural light. Consider using light-colored window treatments to help reflect light. You can also paint smaller areas lighter colors to help reflect more light and create a sense of space.
Use natural materials—Use wood and stone and add plants throughout your home. Incorporate these elements into furniture, flooring, walls, and landscaping. This is an easy way to incorporate biophilic design into your home, because you can achieve it with small purchases, such as a woven mat made of natural plant fibers in your kitchen.
Add plants— Potted plants can bring a touch of nature to your home. A fern is a great choice for an indoor plant, as it is easy to care for and can actually help purify the air in your home.
Create views of nature—If you have a view of nature from inside your home or garden, make the most of it. Position furniture so that you can enjoy the view while relaxing or working. If you live in a city, consider adding plants in visible places around your home. Lavender is a wonderful plant to keep in bedrooms, as it thrives indoors and releases a gentle, soothing aroma.
Provide access to outdoor spaces—If possible, create a direct connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Include features like French doors, sliding glass doors, and screened porches.
Incorporate water features—Water has a calming effect on the mind and body. You can incorporate water features into your home or garden with fountains, ponds, streams, and waterfalls. One indoor option for including more water in your home would be to add a fish tank or small fountain in your entryway.
Benefits of biophilic design
There are many benefits to incorporating biophilic design into your home and garden. Some of these benefits include:
Increased calm and relaxation—Studies have shown that exposure to nature can help reduce stress levels and promote feelings of calmness and relaxation. By incorporating biophilic design into your home or garden, you can create a space that is more conducive to relaxation. Whether it’s something as elaborate as a reflecting pond in your garden, or as simple as a lavender plant in the bedroom, these changes can help create a more soothing environment.
Improved focus and concentration—The presence of nature can also help improve focus and concentration. If you work from home or have trouble staying focused, biophilic design may be a good solution for you.
Enhanced creativity and productivity—The calming effect of nature can also lead to enhanced creativity and productivity. If you’re looking for ways to boost your creativity, biophilic design may be worth exploring.
Increased sense of well-being—Overall, exposure to nature has been shown to increase feelings of well-being. By incorporating biophilic design into your home or garden, you can create a space that is more supportive of your mental and physical health.
Takeaways
If you’re interested in trying biophilic design ideas in your home or garden, we hope this blog post has been helpful. Remember, there are many ways to incorporate biophilic design into your space, and the benefits of doing so are numerous.
Bill Starkey 