Biophilic Interior Design Ideas That Instantly Transform Your Home!
Hey there beautiful people! I'm Shelly and today I cannot wait to talk to you about one of my absolute favorite design approaches: Biophilic design! If you've been feeling like your home needs that special something but you can't quite put your finger on it, nature might be the missing ingredient. I have transformed my own home using these principles and let me tell you it's like having a permanent vacation vibe without the airport security lines! Let's dive into how you can bring the outdoors in.
Hi everyone! My name is Shelly and I am the Director of Armada Design Center in Bellevue Washington, and today I'm so excited to talk to you about what biophilic design is. Basically it's acknowledging that we humans still are cave people at heart who crave connection with the natural world, biophilia which literally means love of life! And, it's all about bringing natural elements into our built-in environments. Think about it. Have you ever noticed how better you feel after a walk in the park or a day at the beach? Biophilic design brings that feeling into your everyday space. And, it's not just warm and fuzzy feelings. There's actual science behind it!
Studies show spaces with natural elements can reduce stress, boost creativity and even help us heal faster. Who wouldn't want their sofa to have healing powers?! Am I right?!
How about the easy ways to add biophilia into your own home. Let's talk about this for a second. Now, I know what you're thinking. Shelly, I can barely keep my kids' goldfish alive!
Don't worry! There are so many ways to incorporate biophilic design without committing to a jungle of high maintenance plants. Start with something nearly indestructible like snake plants or spider plants. I swear you guys these things could survive in a dark closet in a drought!
Are you ready to transform your space from blah to ahhhh with some biophilic magic? At Armada we're passionate about creating homes that connect you with nature in ways that fit your lifestyle and your plant caring abilities? Whether you're a certified plant parent or someone who needs virtually indestructible greenery ( um that would be me!) We can help you create a space that feels like your own personal nature retreat. So, reach out today and let's bring some life into your home. Literally, your future peaceful self will thank you!
Maximize natural light by using sheer window treatments. Your vitamin D levels will improve dramatically. And, if you're building a new home or remodeling your space, make sure you take maximizing natural light into serious consideration. And windows, whenever it’s possible, if you can add skylights or sky tubes if it works within your budget, you're going to love the difference that this will make in your mind and body! Incorporate natural materials like wood, stone, or rattan. Bonus points if they have interesting textures that make you constantly catch people touching them when they come into your home! And, I totally get it, people do that to me all the time. If you add a small tabletop fountain the sound of water is incredibly soothing. Plus, it drowns out your neighbors' questionable music choices. I happen to have some next door!
Biophilic elements in my own home. Let's dive in and let me give you a little tour of how I've incorporated these elements. Here in my living room I have implemented plants that are strategically placed throughout the room. This type of background always brings oohs and ahs with every Zoom call I take. I've actually had more questions about my house than about my actual work! Other features in my living room are my wine barrel and end tables that my dad handcrafted. That mirror on the wall? It's created from reclaimed wood from an old barn. I cleaned it up, I stained it and then I placed a piece of glass in it. Voila! Now I have a gorgeous mirror to do my last minute touch-ups before I start a virtual meeting.
So now let's talk about and walk through the entryway so you can see the biophilic elements I've placed there. Here you'll see the beautiful snake plant that adds life to this space. It's situated next to this stunning lazy Susan that, guess what? My dad handcrafted out of aged wine barrels! Also, notice that this is a piece of art here that incorporates solid brass with a natural stone base. Again, it's bringing elements of nature inside my home. And the finishing touch is this gorgeous upcycled cabinet that holds all my stemware when I'm ready to entertain.
So, what are the benefits of biophilic design? Well, the benefits go way beyond just having a pretty space. Since embracing biophilic design I have noticed that my stress levels have dropped significantly. I'm not kidding you guys. My stress levels have dropped significantly! And, it turns out that staring at plants is cheaper than therapy! I sleep better and natural light exposure during the day helps regulate your body clock better than any fancy sleep app you can buy. My creativity has skyrocketed and something about these organic shapes and patterns seems to unlock new ideas. My air quality has improved. Plants are like little green air purifiers that don't need filter replacements. They're genius!
Let's talk about how you balance nature and style. So, let's be clear. Biophilic design doesn't mean your home needs to look like you're auditioning for Tarzan. It's all about finding that sweet spot between jungle vibes and sophisticated style. I like to use a nature inspired color palette as my base. Think forest greens, earthy browns, and sky blues. Then, I layer in different textures like smooth stone on my dining table with rustic wine barrel wooden side tables across the room. The sheer shades behind my dining table are perfect to filter, yet maximize, natural light. For my plants I use pots or containers that complement one another to create a cohesive look. It's like giving your plants a style trend and suddenly they're a design statement rather than looking like a random collection from the garden center at the clearance section! We've all been there!
People often ask me about common misconceptions so, I want to talk to you guys a little bit about that. Now, let's bust some of the myths about biophilic design. All right, first off here's what I hear, ‘Shelly isn't it just about stuffing your house with plants?’ You guys, no it's not! While I fully support plant hoarding, I do love plants. No judgment here! Biophilic design is also about light, materials, patterns, and views. ‘It's too expensive, Shelly. It's not in my budget.’
Hey you guys! you don't need to install a waterfall in your living room. Start with a $5 plant. Rearrange furniture to maximize window views or bring in a piece of driftwood as a sculptural element. You can start simply and build upon it. Another thing I hear? ‘It's high maintenance. I don't want the maintenance, Shelly. I don't want to take care of it.’ You guys! it absolutely doesn't have to be! Choosing low maintenance plants and materials that actually get better with age like leather or wood that develops a beautiful patina over time is a perfect option.
Do you guys want to know what my favorite biophilic materials are? Well, if you're ready to dip your toes into biophilic design, here are some of my favorite materials to start with. Number one, reclaimed wood. Each piece tells a story and it's like giving a tree a second chance at life! Natural stone, there's something so grounding about having literal pieces of earth in your home. Clay or terracotta. Do you know that these materials actually breathe? They create better humidity levels naturally. For real! I'm not even kidding! Organic textiles like linen, wool, and cotton. You guys, they feel amazing against your skin and natural fibers can age beautifully if you take care of them properly. I recently added a stunning natural stone vase to my bedroom and I find myself making excuses to walk by it just so I can touch it more often! Is that weird?!
I hope this has inspired you to bring a little more nature into your home. Whether you start with a single plant or you go all in with a living wall, connecting with nature indoors can transform how you feel every single day. If you're ready to create your own biophilic sanctuary, but aren't sure where to start, my friends at Armada Design Center are absolute wizards at incorporating these elements in ways that are both beautiful and practical for real life!