Biophilic design is all the rage lately, but what even is it? Simply put, biophilic design involves connecting humans to nature or the natural environment in design to impact well-being and enhance productivity. It’s about bringing in aspects of the outside world – the materials, colors, and shapes – indoors. Something is comforting and familiar about nature that we should not overlook, even in the manmade structures of our homes that we build.
Natural environment – color, water, air, sunlight (reflected, filtered, direct, etc), plants, animals, natural materials
Natural shapes – botanical motifs, columnar supports, shells and spirals, egg or oval, arches and vaults
Natural patterns
There are 3 broad elements to consider when looking at biophilic design.
Natural environment
This generally encapsulates what we want our space to mimic in general, but it is important to consider thoughtfully what elements make up the natural environment, and see how these elements can contribute directly to your home’s design. Think color, water, sunlight, plants, and natural materials.
Color – incorporating earthy tones into your space is a natural way to draw your mind to the natural. Brown, reminiscent of the soil or trees; green, like the grass or leaves, as well as clay-like greys, blues, and tans are all beautiful colors to consider.
You don’t need to incorporate them dramatically by painting your whole house in them, but consider how they can augment your existing space, either through furniture, cabinetry, or home accessories (although painting your walls wouldn’t be a bad idea if done tastefully).
Water – do you have a pool that you can look out to from your living room window? Perhaps a beautiful fountain – space-allowing. In whatever way you can include water in your line of sight at home is wonderful! If you are fortunate to live at a lake or beachfront, this is even better, as studies show that people who live in proximity to large bodies of water generally have better well-being! If you’ve been considering that beachside move, you certainly have good reason!
Sunlight – what can we say, sunlight truly is the best disinfectant! Not only is access to natural light crucial for well-being, but it also naturally makes you more productive and helps your space feel larger. This is a natural design source that provides a lot of utility. Make sure the areas of your home where tasks are to be done – the home office, the kitchen, etc. – are well-lit and be thoughtful when considering the types of window treatments you will install.
Though this is not sunlight, it is also important to consider how you can layer the light within your home during the evenings, in order to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere as your body prepares to wind down to sleep!
Plants – this is easily one of the best ways to introduce nature into your home, because it really is a matter of bringing the outdoors in! Not only is the presence of plants in your space better for your mood and productivity, but there are other benefits you stand to enjoy, such as air quality control and humidity control.
Natural materials – there are a plethora of natural materials that you can build into your home, whether this is hardwood flooring, wooden cabinetry, or stone countertops; these details make all the difference. If doing a completely new flooring installation or kitchen renovation is out of your budget, or simply not in your plans at all, then consider swapping out some of your synthetic decorative items or utensils for natural materials.
Get rid of the plastic chopping board and replace it with the wooden one (plus, you’ll be limiting the amount of microplastics ingested into your body)! Perhaps even consider a limewash paint for your walls – not only is this better for your home’s environment, but the textured and stone-like finish is certain to make you feel more connected with nature!
Natural shapes
It is no news that modern architecture can be very rigid – sharp corners and straight lines – that’s the beauty of manmade creation after all! However, nature generally consists of softer and more rounded patterns and edges, so bringing this into your home design will certainly make it feel more in tune with nature.
Arched doorways and windows are making a big comeback, and the rounding of these structures is a beautiful contribution to biophilic design. Rounded furniture is also getting increasingly popular, because these shapes are so familiar to us and are abundantly available in the world around us – think about a rounded pebble, an oval egg, or the spirals of a seashell.
You can get anything from a curved couch to a curved stone table, or even arched headboards! The key is not to overdo the rounded shapes, however, but to use them in moderation to complement the other natural elements in your home.
Natural patterns
Nature is filled with patterns that we don’t really consider, but are beautiful and can be mimicked in our own homes. Firstly, stone like marble naturally has its own patterns which you will enjoy when you install this into your home, but what about other patterns like waves? Rock shelves? Rolling meadows? Water droplets after a rain shower? These are all subtle touches of nature that we can bring into our home. This can be achieved either through wallpaper, fabrics on your curtains, beds, lampshades, etc., or wall art.
Conclusion
At JG Contracting, we believe every design choice, whether it’s embracing biophilic elements or pursuing a completely different aesthetic, should reflect your unique vision for your space. Our team has the expertise, creativity, and craftsmanship to bring any concept to life, ensuring every detail works together beautifully.
No matter the style, scale, or complexity of your renovation, we’re committed to turning your ideas into a space that feels both beautiful and distinctly yours. Ready to start your transformation? Contact JG Contracting today and let us bring your vision to life.
📧 Email: jgcontractingyyz@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 437-259-9632
🌐 Website: https://jgcontractingyyz.com
