Bring The Great Outdoors To You With Biophilic Design
Now we're getting into May, we're finally enjoying some lovely spring weather and the breath of fresh air it brings. Whether you're wandering around nature trails or having picnics in the park, being out in the great outdoors is the best bit about this time of year. It's national gardening week, so there's no better time to enjoy all the plant life the UK has to offer.
Although, many of us simply don't have the time (or are far too hay-fevery!) to get out there. It might seem like your springtime experience is dashed, but what if there was a way to bring nature to you? Biophilic interior design is one of the hottest home decor trends of 2022, and it isn't hard to see why.
Just like a lot of trends we've seen popping up in the last year or two, this home decor style is all about simple ways to connect to nature and enjoy our natural world from the comfort of home. Down to earth and surprisingly easy to emulate, this design choice can have a positive impact on your interior style and your wellbeing all in one go.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Inspired by a modern architectural style, biophilic design is all about getting close to our natural environment and creating the experience of nature right in your own home. There is heaps of research that shows how being outdoors can help to reduce stress, and with this trend, your interiors can do more than just look great.
The main Biophilic design elements involve lots of natural light, green paint colours and of course, lots of plants. Whether you have a green thumb or not, decorating with natural materials and colours can help with mental health as well as physical wellbeing. We have plenty of ideas to get you started, so if you need some inspo, scroll on.
Let There Be (Natural) Light
Just like plants, we humans need sunlight to function at our very best. While sunny days are pretty rare here in the UK, making the most of sunshine makes a huge difference to our daily lives. In fact, a short burst of natural light can help boost your energy levels throughout the day and can do wonders for your mood. So how should you make the most of it?
Even without floor to ceiling windows, small changes to your interior can help maximise natural light sources without any fuss. Firstly, clearing away any obstructions that could be blocking light is a must. It could be overgrown hedges or even furniture, just make sure there's nothing in the way.
A more obvious obstruction is curtains, particularly old fashioned heavy styles. Subtle options such as these Laura Ashley Curtains which are much lighter, and even incorporate biophilic design with a floral pattern.
Make Sure The Grass Is Always Greener
It should come as no surprise that the overwhelming favourite colour for this home decor trend is green. With a wide range of lush shades to choose from, green colour schemes have become the reigning champion of the last year or so. Green is a truly down to earth shade and is the perfect way to represent the outdoors in your home.
You can opt for old-time elegance with deep emerald greens, or create a brighter atmosphere with sage green paint. Either way, green is a calming colour that can be used in a versatile way.
We love the Little Greene Paint Company for its incredible quality and highly pigmented colours. Pea Green is a delicate shade that instantly lightens up any room.
Another way to enjoy a natural colour scheme (without getting out your paintbrushes) is to introduce green furnishings. Whether you switch out your bedding or add some scatter cushions, small accents can do a lot to the overall look of your decor.
Get Down To Earth With Natural Lines
Another trend you can expect to see quite a lot of in the future is softer silhouettes and curved lines. As we said, a big part of the interior design decor trending at the moment is a connection to the natural world. While sharper edges can be a striking look, soft curves reflect natural patterns. The natural element of curved or circular furniture creates a calming atmosphere, brilliant for biophilic design.
The Bentley Designs Scandi Oak Coffee Table is a perfect example, with subtle curved lines and a light oak finish that shows off natural materials with ease. If you want to do something different, and gloriously on-trend, a circle coffee table is the way forward.
This table from Bentley Designs puts a uniquely contemporary spin on typical biophilic design and reflects the industrial/natural mix the architecture style is known for. Finish off the look and tie your room together with a circular rug. This circle rug is wonderful, with soothing spirals and natural colours.
Finish The Look With Beautiful Botanicals
While the foundation of this interior design trend is natural plants and greenery, you can tie the look together with floral flourishes. The trick to creating a cohesive look in your decor is that the devil's in the details. In our last blog, we talked about how to create floral arrangements, so make sure you give it a read to find out how to create bespoke bouquets with ease. We also recommend having plenty of space for all your plants, whether you add accent tables or shelving.
Showing your love of nature is simple. These leaf sculptures bring both the down to earth aspect biophilic design is known for, it also gives a little bit of luxury with gold accents. Wall art is a wonderful way to show off your personality, and a good landscape brings nature to you.
Bedding is a gorgeous way to introduce botanicals, and Laura Ashley Duvet Covers particularly known for their floral designs. We love the Jackfruit duvet cover for its unique look and pops of irresistible colour.
Faux plants are a fantastic way to enjoy all that biophilic design has to offer, without dealing with all the upkeep that real plants bring with them. Browse our selection of artificial plants and flowers and find your inspiration
