Now Trending: Biophilic Design (and How to Bring It Home)

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Arguably, the greatest inspiration for interior design comes from the natural world. It’s a primal instinct—humans are inherently connected to nature, and the desire to reconnect with the outdoors is deep in our core. Beyond just interior aesthetics, creating tranquil surroundings that visually connect us with nature has been shown to enhance our well-being, health, and overall productivity.  Luckily nature has an endless palette and library for us to reference for inspiration: colors, textures, patterns, and materials that can create a mood and familiarity.

This concept, known as biophilia, is defined as the human tendency or desire to connect with nature. And, it’s not just a trend—it’s a growing movement aimed at creating spaces that foster a stronger relationship with the natural world. Known as biophilic design, this movement focuses on integrating elements of nature into architectural and interior spaces in a way that benefits our health, productivity, and overall sense of well-being.  I hate to even call this a trend since that would imply bringing nature IN will/could possibly go out of style (it won’t).  However, Biophilic design is a key movement dictating design trends in 2025.

At its core, biophilic design is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating environments that nurture our physical and mental health while providing a tranquil retreat from the chaos of modern life. In our increasingly urbanized world, we’ve become more disconnected from nature. Biophilic design is a response to that—helping us restore our connection to the world around us through thoughtful, nature-inspired spaces. It has been shown that biophilic elements in our surroundings can significantly enhance mood, improve cognitive function, reduce stress, and even speed up recovery from illness.

Whether it’s the warm tones of wood, the rough texture of stone, or the refreshing greens of plants, nature’s diverse offerings are always at our disposal when designing a space that brings joy.

Bringing Nature Indoors

One of the first ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home is by adding tactile surfaces. Natural materials such as wood, stone, and plant life are key to enhancing the organic feel of any room. These elements can be incorporated in small ways, offering transformative impacts without the need for major renovations or a significant budget.

Natural Stone: One of the most timeless and luxurious ways to introduce biophilic design is through natural stone. Marble countertops and backsplashes are the first materials that come to mind for many, but there are countless other ways to incorporate stone into your home that don’t require major overhauls and ton of $$$. Consider smaller, more affordable features such as stone accent walls, decorative stone tiles, or even stone-surfaced furniture pieces. Adding stone into a space can create visual interest, while also introducing the beauty of natural textures into your everyday life.

Additionally, if you’re looking for a more sustainable approach, consider alternatives to traditional marble. Limestone, slate, and granite offer a similar aesthetic with variations in color and texture that can suit any style. Slate, with its earthy tones, can be especially grounding, while limestone’s subtle textures make it a timeless addition to any room. Even the use of pebbles, river rocks, or gravel in a garden or outdoor patio space can create a connection to nature while keeping the design cost-effective.

Wood: Wood is a staple material when it comes to biophilic design, and it’s easy to see why. The warmth and organic texture of wood can instantly add depth and character to any space. Whether it’s wooden furniture, hardwood floors, or even exposed wooden beams, the presence of wood brings a sense of nature indoors, making it one of the most versatile materials to incorporate.

Wood can also be used in unexpected ways. Consider installing wooden paneling or accent walls in living rooms or bedrooms to create a feature that mimics the look of a natural landscape. Reclaimed wood, which adds a sense of history and sustainability to your space, is another popular choice. The texture of wood paired with its timeless appeal can make any room feel more grounded, connected, and tranquil.

Plants and Greenery: Perhaps one of the most direct and impactful ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home is through the use of plants. Plants not only improve air quality but also add an immediate sense of calm and serenity to a space. Did you know the presence of greenery in our environment has been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration, and even enhance productivity?

Choosing the right plants for your home can depend on the amount of natural light available, but there are options for every space. For low-light areas, consider snake plants or ZZ plants, both of which are easy to care for and resilient. For spaces with plenty of sunlight, opt for larger indoor trees like fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants, or the forever popular monstera. Herbs, hanging plants, and small potted plants also bring a touch of nature into kitchens, bathrooms, and even bedrooms.

Plants don’t just provide greenery—they also introduce organic textures and patterns that mimic the natural world. Leaf patterns, different shades of green, and the soft texture of moss or succulents can create an evolving, living element in your space that naturally shifts with the seasons.

Nature-Inspired Colors, Textures, and Patterns

In biophilic design, color plays a crucial role. Earthy tones like greens, browns, terracotta, and blues evoke feelings of calm and relaxation, helping to create an environment that nurtures both body and mind. When choosing a color palette, think about the colors you see in nature: the deep green of forests, the soft brown of tree trunks, the light blues of the sky, and the warm yellows and oranges of a sunset.

Incorporating these colors can be done through walls, furniture, and accent pieces. For example, an accent wall in a deep green or soft terracotta can be paired with neutral-colored furniture to balance the space. Throw pillows in earthy shades, woven rugs, and blankets made of natural fibers such as wool or linen can add texture and warmth to a room, making it feel more inviting and connected to nature.

Textures also play an important role in biophilic design, as they provide tactile experiences that remind us of the natural world. Adding materials such as jute, wool, linen, and cotton can mimic the textures found in nature, making a space feel more grounded and connected. For instance, a jute rug underfoot, linen curtains, or a wool blanket on the couch can evoke the feeling of being outdoors, bringing nature into the home in subtle yet meaningful ways.

Patterns also draw inspiration from nature and can be incorporated in creative ways. Floral, leaf, or geometric patterns found in nature can be replicated in wallpapers, fabrics, and textiles. The beauty of these patterns lies in their simplicity—they mimic the natural forms found in flowers, trees, and landscapes. They can create a sense of harmony and balance, similar to the way nature’s designs function in the wild.

The Wabi-Sabi Influence

While biophilic design focuses on creating a direct connection with nature, it also aligns with traditional design philosophies like wabi-sabi, which emphasizes the beauty of imperfection and the acceptance of life’s transience. Wabi-sabi translates to a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of appreciating beauty that is “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete” in nature. It is prevalent in many forms of Japanese art. This Japanese aesthetic encourages an appreciation for objects and spaces that reflect the passing of time, natural aging, and the beauty found in imperfection.

Incorporating wabi-sabi into biophilic design can be a powerful combination. Rather than seeking perfection, this approach emphasizes the organic beauty of objects and spaces that evolve over time. This might include using reclaimed wood that shows the patina of age, ceramic objects that reflect the handmade nature of their creation, or a rustic wooden table that tells a story through its natural wear and tear. The concept encourages embracing cracks, wrinkles, and imperfections, just as nature does.

This acceptance of imperfection is one of the key ideas that biophilic design shares with wabi-sabi—it’s not about creating a perfect, polished space but about appreciating the raw and authentic qualities of nature that add richness to our lives.

Maximizing Natural Light

One of the most powerful aspects of biophilic design is the way it maximizes natural light. Natural light has a profound impact on our well-being—it boosts mood, enhances productivity, and even improves sleep quality. In spaces that don’t have an abundance of sunlight, biophilic design can help replicate the effects of natural light through the careful use of lighting fixtures that mimic daylight. Skylights, large windows, or glass doors that open to outdoor spaces allow natural light to flood in and create a sense of openness and connection with the outside world.

Even in areas with limited sunlight, biophilic design can be used to reflect and amplify natural light through light-colored walls, mirrors, or reflective surfaces that bounce the daylight around a room. This thoughtful integration of light helps create a space that feels open, airy, and connected to nature.

Conclusion: Bringing Biophilic Design Home

The beauty of biophilic design is that it doesn’t require a full renovation or massive investment. Small, intentional additions—whether through natural materials, plants, colors, or textures—can create a harmonious space that fosters well-being and connects you to the natural world. Embracing biophilic design is an investment in your environment, health, and overall happiness. By incorporating elements from the natural world, whether through tactile surfaces, plant life, or the soothing patterns of nature, you can create a timeless, serene space that enhances your life and promotes a deeper connection to the earth.

As biophilic design continues to trend in the world of interior design, it’s clear that reconnecting with nature is not just a passing fad—it’s a vital step in creating healthier, happier, and more sustainable spaces. By embracing nature’s beauty in all its forms, we can bring the calming, grounding qualities of the outdoors inside, creating environments that enrich and inspire us every day.

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