In today’s social-media-fueled world, there’s no shortage of interior design trends to experiment with. Classics, like farmhouse and mid-century, are constantly remixed to conform to modern aesthetics. This is why the uptick in interest in biophilic design is so refreshing. More than a trend, biophilic design embraces nature and all its beauty, bringing tranquility and greenery into the home.

Being a plant parent is just the beginning. Your houseplants, flowers, and vines also need to have intention. With spring on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to lean into nature. If you’re ready to try the biophilic design aesthetic, there are a few things to note first. Keep reading to learn more about the look and how to transform your home into an organic and mindful environment.

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design involves more than scattering a few green plants about in your living space. While greenery is an important aspect of the look, it’s much deeper than that. Biophilic design is a way of connecting nature with interior design and mixing the two harmoniously. Put simply, it’s about bringing the outdoors into your home in a chic and thoughtful way. Finding the balance is key, but it’s also where this design trend gets tricky. Most homes aren’t built with living walls or greenhouse-like rooms. Mastering the trend takes some effort, but it’s not impossible to create a serene green space in even the smallest of homes.

The 6 Principles of Biophilic Design

Biophillic design is defined by six grounding principles: Natural environment, natural shapes, natural light, natural patterns, plants, and human and nature relationships. Before attempting to transform your space, it’s important to have an understanding of each.

Natural Environment

This principle is about bringing the essence of nature into your home. Plants, whether potted or hanging, are a good starting point, but think about what they need to thrive. Water and sunlight are essential for a plant’s health, and they also help round out the earthy nuances of biophilic design.

Natural Shapes

This principle refers to the furniture and decor elements in your home. To fully embrace the design style, there should be an organic feel to each item. Curved accents like round tables or arches have a comforting effect and set a welcoming tone for the room.

Natural Light

Sunlight is an important element of any natural space, and that goes tenfold for rooms sporting a biophilic design. If your home is filled with windows, choose the room that gets the most sunlight and build around it. Even if it’s a small space, it will exude the serenity of nature when filled with greenery and sunlight.

Natural Patterns

Incorporating art and patterns helps keep your home from looking like a greenhouse. When adding these elements to the space, think of textures, prints, and patterns that align with the natural mood. A touch of wood, linen textiles, or stone sculpture are all ideal items for biophilic decor.

Plants

Anyone can fill their home with plants, but mastering this aesthetic means being intentional. Think about what plants will work well in the room, which need the most sunlight versus the ones that can thrive with little light, and how they will all look together. This will ensure that the plants don’t overwhelm the space and instead add to it thoughtfully.

Human-Nature Relationship

Transforming your space into a soothing, plant-filled environment is a crucial element of biophilic design. However, connecting to nature will require you to dig deep and lean into the human-nature relationship that has existed for centuries. Here, mindfulness blends with cozy, making it easy to connect.