Bringing Nature Into Your Home with Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is a concept that is becoming increasingly popular in home renovations and new builds. It is an approach to interior design that seeks to connect people with nature, even when they are inside their homes. If you are considering a renovation or new build and want to incorporate biophilic design into your project, it’s important to know what steps you need to take and how a qualified builder can help.
What is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is the integration of natural elements, such as plants and air quality, into the built environment of a home or office. In other words, "bringing the outdoors in". The goal of biophilic design is to create an atmosphere that allows people to feel connected with nature and its healing properties, even when they are indoors. Studies have shown that incorporating biophilic design into a home or office has numerous benefits, including improved focus and productivity, better physical health, and an increased sense of well-being.
How Can You Incorporate Biophilic Design into Your Home?
When you are planning a new build or renovation for your home, it's important to work with a qualified builder who understands biophilic principles and can help you create the space of your dreams while still incorporating natural elements. Here are just some ways that building professionals can help you bring nature into your home:
Incorporating well-positioned indoor pot plants, into your design and decor forms the basis of biophilic design.
Choosing organic materials such as glass, wood, and stone over synthetic materials like plastics. For a kitchen renovation, natural stone floors such as "crazy pavers" or polished concrete, timber cabinetry, and handblown glass light fixtures all add biophilic elements.
Large well-positioned windows allows an abundance of diffuse and filtered light to fill your home. Ideally, these large windows would overlook a natural environment of greenery, flowers, or a water feature to further bring the outdoors in. Allowing lots of light doesn't have to come at a cost of your privacy - a considered design should also be functional and practical for the homeowner.
Skylights throughout the house allows more natural light to enter each room at different times of the day. Reflected light through mirrors, glass or water pools is another creative way to further increase natural light in a home.
Making sure that there is adequate ventilation throughout the house so that fresh air can circulate freely. Biophilic design is more than just visual - it should free all five of the senses.
Consider adding speakers throughout your home to add a nature-inspired soundtrack (think rain, birds chirping) throughout your day.
Additional light fixtures and swapping bulbs for WiFi bulbs, such as LIFX Day to Dusk, to mimic the rising and setting of the sun.
Spiral staircase brings curiosity and enticement, while also being reminiscent of invertebrates such as snails, and sea shells.
Choose a colour pallet that is consistent with Mother Earth. Shades of green, brown, cream, white, grey and black will help to bring the outdoors in.
Incorporating biophilic design into your new build or home renovation provides numerous evidence-based health benefits both physically and mentally. Whether it’s remodeling your kitchen, new build or bringing in more natural light through skylights, working with a qualified builder will ensure that your next project incorporates all necessary elements while still meeting safety standards and building regulations.
So if you're looking for ways to make your home feel more like yours, consider incorporating biophilic design—it just might be exactly what you need! Contact us for a quote on your next home build or renovation.
