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The biophilic approach is a natural design philosophy that does more than beautify. It creates environments that reduce stress and improve mental health. According to Biofilico, a consulting firm, whether it’s in offices, healthcare facilities, residential towers, or schools, biophilic design offers easy ways to reconnect with nature indoors and feel soothed.
Whether it’s through enjoying a scenic mountain walk, outdoor sports, a relaxing day at the beach, caring for pets and gardens, people have a natural love for nature. People’s strong bond to the natural world is rooted in biophilia — an innate connection with nature, Biofilico explains. The term was first introduced by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in 1973, who defined biophilia as the “passionate love of life and of all that is alive.”
Biophilic design also brings the positive feelings of the outdoors inside, offering impressive results. It may reduce stress, inspire creativity, improve cognitive abilities, enhance wellbeing, and speed up healing, according to the Terrapin Bright Green consulting firm. Another reason to bring nature indoors is because nature can elicit restorative feelings quickly. This may swiftly result in better productivity at work, less stress at home, and improved health. Here are five ways to embrace the outdoors indoors using biophilic design.
Maximize Natural Light
Make the most out of natural light to improve mood and energy levels, suggests NewsBytes. Natural light assists in sleep regulation, boosts vitamin D, and lowers the risk of seasonal affective disorder. Natural daylight can make a huge difference, so open those blinds and windows!
Windows, skylights, and mirrors help bring more sunlight into the home and workspace. For rooms with limited windows, light therapy lamps that simulate sunlight can be a good solution.
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Incorporate Water Features
As many people have a strong connection to water, it is a powerful natural element in biophilic design. Water features are also important because they are multisensory. Water can provide movement, sound, and even touch; and the soft sound of water naturally calms the mind. Features with water, such as fountains or aquariums, may also be an antidote to stress and anxiety.
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Strategic Plant Placement
It is easy to fill a room with plants, but using biophilic design requires an intention regarding plant selection and placement, suggests home & texture. Make sure to think carefully about which plants will work well in each room. This thoughtful approach transforms an ordinary room into a carefully curated place that feels natural yet designed. Adding plants to an office space also has big benefits and is crucial, as plants may boost productivity by as much as 15 percent, explains NewsBytes.
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Using Nature-Inspired Patterns
Natural patterns, like those seen in ocean waves or soaring branches, may relax the human brain. By including these patterns in your space through art or fabrics, you can create a sense of calm. Incorporating leafy-printed wallpaper is a simple way to bring nature into a room. Another idea is to place a carpet that resembles grass on the floor.
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Choosing Natural Materials
Decorating with natural materials like bamboo, wood, or stone helps to create a sense of peace and connection to the natural world. In fact, a room that has 45 percent wood coverage has been shown to lower diastolic blood pressure and increase pulse rate, according to Terrapin Bright Green. Adding even more wood to a room resulted in lowered brain activity and could be a good design choice for spas and medical offices.
Natural accents include natural wood grains, stone, leather, dried grasses, and rattan. As for colors, select from a natural palette. You may want to focus on shades of green, a color that has been proven to enhance creativity. Through taking these simple steps to incorporate biophilic design in your living and working environment, the benefits are infinite!
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