Biophilic design is an approach to designing and arranging indoor spaces that strengthens the connection between people and the natural world.[1] Features such as daylight, greenery, natural materials, and outdoor views bring elements of nature into the home and may support lower stress and emotional well-being.[3] Its principles can be adapted to homes of different sizes, layouts, and styles.
Biophilic Design Basics
Biophilic design is the practice of incorporating features and experiences associated with nature into buildings and indoor environments.[1]
The concept is based on biophilia, a term popularized by biologist E. O. Wilson to describe humanity’s affinity for the natural world.[4] Biophilic design applies that concept to the places where people live, work, learn, and gather.
Rather than focusing only on appearance, biophilic design also considers how a space functions. In particular, lighting, airflow, materials, layout, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces all contribute to the experience of a room.[1]
Why Biophilic Design Matters
Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.[2] Therefore, the spaces where people live are an important part of daily life.
Biophilic design offers a framework for creating a stronger connection between indoor spaces and nature. Its principles are flexible enough to work with different types of homes, budgets, and lifestyles.
Core Elements of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design draws on several complementary principles rather than a single decorating style. Each one offers a different way to strengthen the relationship between an indoor space and the outdoors.
Daylight
Daylight brings changing light, shadows, and time-of-day cues into an indoor space. Making use of windows and other sources of natural light is one way biophilic design reflects the rhythms of the outdoors.
Living Greenery
Plants and other living greenery bring changing color and texture indoors, providing a direct visual connection with nature.
Natural Materials
Wood, stone, and plant-based fibers introduce warmth and texture while reflecting materials found in the natural environment.
Outdoor Connections
A window overlooking a tree, garden, or open landscape can visually extend a room beyond its walls. Alternatively, where outdoor views are limited, landscape artwork or photography can provide another visual connection.
Fresh Air and Ventilation
Good airflow contributes to indoor comfort and helps keep a living space from feeling stale.
Nature-Inspired Colors and Patterns
Earth-inspired colors, organic shapes, and botanical patterns can echo the outdoors through a home’s finishes and décor.
How Biophilic Design May Support Well-Being
Research continues to explore how contact with nature influences physical and emotional well-being. Natural environments have been associated with lower stress, improved mood, and better attention in some settings.[3],[5],[6] These findings provide context for the growing interest in bringing nature into the places where people spend their time.
Stress Reduction
Exposure to nature has been associated with lower stress levels and improved emotional well-being.[3] For this reason, biophilic design draws on that relationship when incorporating nature-related features into indoor spaces.
Focus and Concentration
Views and images of nature have been linked to improved attention and mental performance in some research.[6] Visual access to nature can be particularly relevant in spaces used for focused work, studying, or reading.
Healthy Sleep
Light and darkness help regulate the body’s circadian rhythms, including sleep patterns.[7] For this reason, using daylight during the day and limiting unnecessary artificial light in the evening help reinforce the light-dark pattern that guides the body’s sleep-wake cycle.[7]
Ways to Bring Biophilic Design Home
Applying biophilic design is largely about noticing what a home already offers and deciding where thoughtful changes would be most useful. The goal is to apply the principles in ways that suit the space instead of trying to incorporate every element everywhere.
Start with the Spaces You Use Most
Choose a frequently used room and consider how it feels throughout the day. A living area, bedroom, or home office is often a useful place to focus because improvements there become part of daily life.
Make Better Use of Existing Features
Look for features worth emphasizing before adding anything new. Moving furniture to take advantage of a window or uncovering an architectural detail can change how a room relates to its surroundings.
Introduce Materials Gradually
A wood table, woven rug, or linen window covering can bring warmth and texture into a room without repeating the full materials palette throughout the home. Adding pieces as they are needed also allows the space to retain its existing character.
Choose Living Elements That Fit Your Lifestyle
Greenery works best when it suits the conditions in the room and the amount of care you want to provide. In practice, one well-placed houseplant or a pot of kitchen herbs can provide a living element without turning plant care into another household task.
Design Around How the Room Is Used
Consider how you want to use the space, then arrange it accordingly. For example, a chair positioned for reading or a work area with a pleasant view gives the design a practical purpose while making the room more enjoyable to use.
Common Questions About Biophilic Design
Biophilic design can be adapted in many ways depending on the home, available space, and the people who live there. These questions clarify how the approach works and what it can include.
Can biophilic design work in any home?
Yes. The principles can be scaled to suit different living spaces. For example, a smaller home may emphasize one or two features, while a larger space may offer more opportunities to incorporate them throughout different rooms.
Are indoor plants required?
No. Plants are only one way to create a stronger connection with nature. For example, daylight and natural materials such as wood or stone can also bring biophilic design into a space.
Is biophilic design the same as decorating with plants?
No. Plants are one way to incorporate nature into a space. However, biophilic design goes further by considering how a space looks, functions, and connects with the outdoors.
Does biophilic design improve health?
Research has associated exposure to natural environments with aspects of emotional well-being, attention, and stress management.[3],[5],[6] Biophilic design draws on related ideas when shaping indoor spaces. However, research on nature exposure should not be interpreted as proof that a particular design choice will produce the same health effects.
Getting Started with Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is flexible by nature. What works best will depend on your home’s layout, your daily routines, and what makes the space enjoyable for the people who use it.
Focus on creating a stronger relationship between your indoor environment and the outdoors in ways that fit your household. Over time, those choices can contribute to a home that feels comfortable, welcoming, and distinctly your own.
Explore more Home & Environment resources for practical ideas that support a comfortable, healthy home. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for daily inspiration. Subscribe to our newsletter for curated content and practical ideas for healthy living.
Sources Cited
- Kellert SR, Heerwagen JH, Mador ML, eds. Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. John Wiley & Sons; 2008 (current edition published 2011).
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality.
- Bratman GN, Anderson CB, Berman MG, et al. Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science Advances. 2019;5(7):eaax0903.
- Wilson EO. Biophilia. Harvard University Press; 1984.
- World Health Organization. Urban green spaces and health. World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. 2016.
- Berman MG, Jonides J, Kaplan S. The cognitive benefits of Interacting with Nature. Psychological Science. 2008;19(12):1207-1212.
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Circadian Rhythms. National Institutes of Health. 2025.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, Healthy Living – Today may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only feature products, programs, or services we’ve researched and believe may support a healthy lifestyle. Prices are subject to change and may vary from what’s listed. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Individual results may vary, and we do not guarantee any specific outcome.
