Welcome back, Fabulistas!
By now, we’ve all gotten comfortable with spending copious amounts of time cooped up inside… and we probably will be for a good bit longer! With work-from-home hours and virtual everything, it’s hard to find the time to sneak in a walk each day or even step outside for a breath of fresh air. Getting outdoors has been one of my saving graces over the last year.
Another key to staying sane? Biophilia. This design style is so much more than a trend… it’s a gateway to the outdoors. As you rethink your home improvements and touch-ups for the year ahead, consider incorporating this element into your home for a more peaceful space where you feel more connected to the natural world (and less connected to your Zoom account!).
Biophilia: The Basics + The Benefits
Biophilia is based on the notion that humans have an inherent need to connect with nature, drawing more pleasure from it than from other stimuli. We’re hard-wired to crave natural and organic experiences based on evolutionary dependence on nature for both fulfillment and survival. For me, this is true in design and in life! Fresh flowers or greenery instantly improve my mood and brighten up a space. Even the smallest plant-related details or nature-inspired on a piece can bring a level of zen to a room.
As we continue to approach our lives with mindfulness , it’s important to remember how different aspects of our life affect our mood and mindset. Studies have shown that the ability to view nature, even from the indoors, lowers blood pressure and increases productivity. It’s also proved to advance our psychological and physiological wellness, from mood elevation and serotonin production to a better sense of alertness. This trend is so closely tied to our health and well-being that it’s important to make an active effort to make it part of our everyday lives. Small changes can make all the difference!
Think Like A Plant Parent, Act Like A Designer
In the design world, biophilia is all about fusing a love for nature and the outdoors with the best, most meaningful natural materials and items you can find. We can incorporate biophilia into almost any aspect of interior design… materials, finishes, furniture, lighting… you name it! Focus on using elements from the natural world in your home, such as greenery and vegetation, water, natural light, and organic materials like wood, stone, and bamboo. Think big… you can even add a living wall or indoor garden!
Not everything has to be living to give a biophilic effect. A piece can be in the shape of something from nature, or it can be as easy as layering in natural, simple aesthetics when you choose how to place the different elements and pieces of furniture in a room! Our brains respond differently and more positively when they are exposed to elements from the natural world. If you want quick, easy biophilic additions, opt for leaf-shaped dishes or floral sculptures. They’re a great starting point! This process is all about blurring the boundaries between the indoors and the outdoors. The result is an internal environment that reduces stress, fosters creativity and cognitive function, and most importantly, makes you feel good and relaxed every time you walk through the door.
Play with Patterns
Patterns play an enormous role in biophilic design. When we have limited access to nature, which is true for many of us these days, we rely on biomorphic forms, patterns, and materials to provide a natural order. They often appear as “fractals,” which are continuous patterns that are often complex and self-similar. Studies have shown that fractals are linked to a number of potential health benefits, from stress reduction to combating mental fatigue. There are endless opportunities to improve your home design and outlook on life by selecting colors, fabric, tiles, wallpaper, carpeting, and other floor covering that showcase natural patterns of images of nature. This can start with something as simple as your walls and carry over into more intimate details like your table lamps or bedspread. Each element builds off of the other to create a space of tranquility.
Shop The Style, and Heal Your Soul
Gold Flower Nesting Tables
Mamba Floor Lamp
Passion Table Lamp
Russel Coffee Table
Sterren Demi-Lune
Weide Bar Cabinet
Fleur and Demi Fleur Hardware
White or Gold Gingko Sculpture
Nature Study Flower Vase
Foglia Bowl
Blossom Box
White Blooms Mirror
As we continue to use our homes to inspire self-care , confidence , and adaptability in our lives, biophilia helps us achieve it. Like I always say, feel good about your home and you’ll feel good about your life!
XOXO,
Robin