Life, Styled
Our world is full of natural beauty, rich colors, and patterns galore, so it is no surprise that it is becoming more and more the inspiration behind many new interior design products, such as furniture, wallpaper, and lighting. More and more interior designers are looking to nature when creating a new space for their clients since a comfortable and healthy home is at the top of the list for most homebuyers today. Home is the place where we go to recharge and refuel for the next day; a good design can have a direct impact on these aspects. Biophilia is a term that has been steadily making its way into the design world and infiltrating the latest interior creations, both commercial and residential alike. Discover more about this interesting style, how it is being implemented in design, and how the trends are emerging throughout multiple industries.
What Is Biophilia?
Biophilia was a term first coined by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm, who used it to describe the idea of a passionate love of life and all that is alive. Over the years, this concept has made its way into the home as more designers realized the benefits it had to offer their clients. As the majority of our time is spent indoors, the need for nature has become apparent, and while the go-to solution was to add plants inside, biophilia is about much more than including additional greenery. Its ultimate goal is to provide you with a calming environment that nourishes both the mind and spirit. Lots of scientific research has been done to back this reasoning and change the way we think of design. The range of implementing biophilia into your home is up to you; it can be through subtle ways, such as pattern, texture, and color, or more obvious methods like increased natural light and plants. You can’t go wrong by seeking to bring a little or a lot of nature inside. We were meant to benefit each other, so what better way to help keep our family well than by inviting Mother Nature inside.
What Is Biophilia Interior Design?
Our home is our sanctuary, a place set aside to be a place of safety and security. The purpose of using biophilia in design is to mimic the many benefits nature gives us when we spend time outdoors. Designers are striving to bring the great outdoors into our personal doors, a place we were not necessarily intended to remain in 90% of the time, but due to our structure, is how many of us spend our days. This need has caused interior designers to find ways to give our bodies what they need, yet still blend with our lifestyle demands. There are both direct and indirect ways to bring nature inside. Direct ways include plants, water, and light, while indirect can be done through artwork that features nature, organic materials such as wood and stone, and of course, borrowing from nature’s color palette. Simply put, Biophilia interior design looks to nature to spark a design style or sketch in order to give you the best environment to live and work in.
Adding Plants In The Home
When you think of bringing nature inside, your mind automatically goes to more plants. While we would not recommend turning every area of the home into a miniature greenhouse, a few plants can yield your family tremendous benefits, including:
- Cleaning the air
- Less stress
- Increase in productivity
Since they come in so many sizes and varying colors, having plants throughout your home can help with wellness for everyone. It is a known fact that plants purify the air, and as we have increased the amount of time at home, this has enormous benefits for everyone. In addition, many now work more from home, and placing a few plants in your home office can help ease the eye strain by taking a break and admiring the greenery. The color green is also associated with calming the mind down and alleviating mental fatigue. Choosing to purchase some greenery for your home could give you multiple benefits, though we want to recommend speaking with nursery professionals before selecting plants if you have pets, as some are toxic when ingested. Again, surrounding yourself with things that can increase your wellness is a great investment.
Outdoor Living
Outdoor spaces have been growing in popularity over the last few years. They allow you to have a space where you can enjoy the fresh air, the warm sun, the pleasant views only nature can create, and calm your mind after a stressful day. An outdoor space can take on many shapes; it can be a small patio that has several plants, a couple of chairs, and maybe even a simple screen to keep out the bugs and allow you to sip your favorite beverage. It can be a full deck with an outdoor kitchen that enables you to cook outside and eat meals with the family while enjoying those cool spring or fall evenings. Having a place to escape from the four walls of your home means you can relax and soak up everything nature has to offer. When looking for ways to turn your home into a place of calm, look outside.
Let Nature Inspire Your Design
Nature has a way to destress us in a way nothing else can, which is why so many manufacturers are drawing from the outdoors when designing products intended for the inside. If you want to try incorporating biophilia design elements in your home, consider putting these on your list.
- Wood: whether the real thing or simply wood tones, both are getting popular and being integrated into more elements such as light fixtures, hardware, and even tile. Even the pattern of wood grain draws you back to a natural feel
- If your space cannot be expanded, consider installing larger windows or door frames, which allow more light inside, making it brighter and bigger. If you can’t look at additional lights for the areas you are renovating.
- Color: blues, greens, and neutrals like white and beige are all good color choices for multiple areas in the homes, but especially work-related spaces such as office and school work, along with rest areas like the family and living rooms.
Interior design plays a key role in the atmosphere of your home, and biophilia only seeks to bring the very best elements together for the perfect environment. Speak to your designer about using the principles of biophilia to create your new space, and feel free to browse places like Pinterest and HGTV for more inspiration.
Walker Woodworking When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.
Walker Woodworking What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.
Walker Woodworking We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.
Greenbrook Design There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.
But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.
Greenbrook Design