Design

Biophilic Interior Design: Bring the Outdoors Inside

By Chris Baio

Media Strategist

Are you familiar with the term biophilic design? It’s the concept of integrating nature in interior design—adding plants or water features, incorporating large windows and skylights, and using natural materials to create an outdoorsy ambience. Biophilic design is noted for fostering healthy environments that promote well-being and reduce stress.

Homeowners desire a warm, comfortable living space that provides respite and renewal from their busy lives. When we are exposed to fresh air, sunlight, and natural environments, it improves our focus, boosts immunity, and produces an overall calming effect on our minds and bodies. Biophilic elements and products allow us to design an indoor atmosphere that connects us to the natural world and enhances our physical and mental health.

Embrace the warmth of wood

Taking a stroll through a forest of majestic timbers can summon feelings of refuge and serenity. Similarly, the timeless shades and character of oak, mahogany, cherry, and fir can deliver a sense of comfort when incorporated into your home’s interior, making wood materials an integral aspect of biophilic design.

Elements such as fiberglass wood grain entry doors, exposed ceiling timbers, wood furniture and trim, hardwood floors or cabinets, or vinyl woodgrain windows can imbue your home with richness and warmth.

Trapezoid shaped wood clad architectural windows inside a rustic living room; example of shaped windows in ProVia's window gallery — This home features rustic exposed timbers, warm hardwood floors, wood-clad shaped windows, and rich hardwood furniture

Inside view of a Signet fiberglass door, sidelites, and transom with simulated divided lites; example of a fiberglass door in the blog article steel vs fiberglass door — Shown are a fiberglass wood grain entry door and sidelights featuring an oak door skin and warm custom door stain

Endure white garden window in a kitchen — A garden window lets you enjoy the view while providing a sunny spot for indoor plants

Let the light in

Open those blinds and drapes and let the sunlight stream through your windows! If you feel your home is lacking natural light even when your curtains and blinds are open, consider adding large windows, skylights, an entry door with glass, or sliding glass patio doors when it’s time to replace your home’s windows and doors.

Vinyl garden windows are an excellent option for kitchens and breakfast nooks. Garden windows invite more light into your space, but they also include a shelf where indoor plants such as garden herbs can soak up the sunlight, allowing you to enjoy greenery indoors year round.

Family rooms and bedrooms are great locations to consider adding vinyl picture windows that let in large amounts of light while providing an unobstructed view of the outdoors, letting you observe your home’s natural surroundings even when you can’t be outdoors.

Adding an entry door with glass is a way to brighten your foyer or entry area, and including privacy glass or decorative glass can help maintain privacy while still welcoming natural light. Energy efficient sliding glass patio doors also let in a large amount of sunlight, and give you the option to invite fresh air into your home or enjoy the melodies of singing birds on nice days.

For small or closed-off spaces such as walk-in closets or bathrooms, adding skylights can help flood the area with light.

Terra cut manufactured stone veneer in the color Slate in a bathroom, example of using stone for interior walls and accents — This bathroom feels like a rustic retreat with a stone feature wall and built-in shelf

Create depth & drama with interior stone walls & accents

From the warm brown tones of a picturesque southwestern mesa to the cool, earthy feel of quarried rock, manufactured stone veneer featured inside a home can generate biophilic design and visual drama by adding rugged texture, intriguing patterns and shapes, and a variety of hues straight from Earth’s natural color palette.

Ways to use stone veneer to bring natural elements into your home:

Interior stone walls—Create a focal point by adding an accent wall in a master bedroom or living room
Stone wall kitchens—Add character to your kitchen by featuring stone veneer as a backsplash or as a feature wall
Bathroom stone walls—Design a luxurious, spa-like bathroom by adding stone veneer surrounding a shower or garden tub, or as a vanity backsplash
Stone for fireplace—Highlight your fireplace by using stone veneer to surround it

Inside view of Endure double hung windows in white with transoms — Double-hung windows and a variety of houseplants make this family room feel bright and airy

Feature houseplants and cut flowers

A simple way to create biophilic interior design in is to incorporate houseplants or cut flowers into your living space. A windowsill with small plants of varying shades of green can instantly add texture to your home. Adding larger potted plants near doorways helps guests feel welcome, and filling a few corners with taller plants can help brighten a dark, underutilized space.

Bright, lightly scented garden flowers placed in small vases in various spots such as kitchen islands or coffee tables gives your home a welcoming, fresh feel.