17 Biophilic Design Ideas Showcase Ways to Connect with Nature

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Welcome to our site where you will find beautifully decorated homes that reflect nature from the outside in. People are always focused on trying to find ways to bring us closer to nature, or nature closer to us. Biophilic design is incredibly popular, and for good reason, because it’s an elegant and effective way to make one feel connected with nature once more. 

In order to come up with the very specific design ideas, we create most designs with the assistance of state-of-the-art AI interior design software. Also, assume links that take you off the site are affiliate links such as links to Amazon. this means we may earn a commission if you buy something.

Be sure to scroll through our curated interior photos so you can read all about the details of each design. We hope to inspire and ignite creativity on your design journey.

1. Outdoor Shower Garden

This beautiful outdoor shower feels like you’re in the middle of Bali on vacation. You’ll notice the pattern tile shower wall is flanked by the dark wood reed fencing all around. A wood deck is used as the floor and a small side table houses the soaps. Tons of plants and greenery are planted around and all the trees behind, are peeking out of the fence to create a lush design.

2.  Living Wall Living Room

This incredible living room not only has house plants everywhere but there is a large terrarium in the center of room. It looks like there is a tree inside the terrarium with moss that has attached itself to the walls. It’s like a live art installation, completely unexpected and stunning to look at. Conversation is sure to flow when guests arrive to lounge in this biophilic design. 

3. Indoor-Outdoor Shower

Plants are a perfect fit for bathrooms, not only do they look beautiful but they provide oxygen and promote good health. This modern style bathroom has a living wall in the shower and a variety of tropical plants on the other side. They compliment the wood, concrete and glass design of the bathroom. See our article listing and describing 18 plants that are great for bathrooms.

4. Living Wall in a Living Room

This modern living room has a plant wall or living wall as the backdrop behind the sofa. Instead of just hanging art, you can bring the outdoors inside and add life and color to the design. Additional potted plants arranged throughout the space creates a cozy and cheerful space to lounge in.

• Living room with green plant wall and concrete wall.

5. Modern Living Wall 

Another green living wall in a modern living room, contrasts well with the wood floors and concrete walls. The greenery softens the more hard surfaces to create a relaxed and inviting space. The windows allow tons of light in, while the sheer drapes still provide some privacy. A hanging globe chandelier expands a large area of ceiling and provides ample lighting. Spotlights on the green wall highlight area like showcasing a piece of art.

• Close up of green plant wall in modern living room.

6. Bohemian Green Living Bedroom

The simplest ways to feel a strong connection with nature is to have a nice view of the outdoors. Drapes and curtains are great for keeping your privacy, but try keeping them open during the day so you can see clear, blue sky and your garden. By opening the windows often you’re letting the sunshine in and you’ll also be able to feel gentle breeze which will wake you up and give you energy. Plants are also a great way to make your room seem cozier, and you don’t have to turn it into a jungle either: a couple of nice pots with cacti or fern will do the trick. Also, photos and wallpapers with natural patterns on them represent a symbolic connection to nature.

7. Country Living-Ceiling in the Bedroom

This country style bedroom has a ceiling with live vines incorporated into the exposed wood beams. You are literally sleeping on a gorgeous upholstered bed with plants hanging above your head. This design gives new meaning to the phrase “bringing the outdoors inside”. 

• Source: pinterest.com

8. Biophilic Office Corner

This corner office with all glass windows, feels like your are sitting outside. The cheerful print rug and skateboard in the corner, add to the fun whimsy and casual vibe of this space. I can imagine sitting at this desk looking out onto the beautiful greenery and feel so inspired to be creative. 

9. Dining Sunroom

A stunning sunroom veranda that has brick flooring and all glass walls, with an oval dining table and wood chairs. A sunroom by its very nature is biophilic design as it’s an indoor space designed to make you feel like your outdoors. Your guests will feel inspired and at one with the earth when dining in this beautiful and nature inspired space. 

10. Horizontal Living Wood Wall

This incredible modern horizontal interior living wall with plantscreates an interior biophilic design example. I love how the greenery is intertwined with the wood, it is such an organic and inspiring space.  This would look great in the hallway of a modern home and bring conversation to guests when they arrive to visit.

11. Tree-House Living Room

This incredible living room has a tree literally growing out of the center of the home. It’s a real-life version of a tree house and it is so gorgeous and organic. The brick wall and wood floors compliment the green leaves and bark of the tree trunk. The light that streams in through the open ceiling is a fantastic way to add natural light to the design without having electricity. 

12. Entryway Herb Garden

This incredible interior vertical herb garden, which could be incorporated into any home, creates a more natural interior and organic feel to the design. You can walk out front and grab whatever herb you choose for cooking and never have to run out. I would feel so incredibly happy and lucky to come home and see this stunning herb wall. 

• Check out more vertical garden walls here and how to create a vertical hydroponic garden here.

13. Green Living Roof

This incredible green living roof is a perfect example of a garden-top home design. Of course having gardens and trees in your yard is a very typical way to incorporate nature on your property. However, you can expand your natural property with a green roof. The many benefits of having a living roof is that is cools the temperature of the home and creates a cooler interior climate inside. It also provides a runoff for excess rain water and absorbs local pollutants from the area around it. It also promotes biodiversity by attracting birds and bees. 

• Check out more green roof examples here.

14. Storybook Living Bedroom

This gorgeous living bedroom feels like you are camping out in a forest with only the trees and nature around you. You feel like you are in a storybook tale with vines intertwining through the ceiling and plants decorated throughout. The brick walls and wood floors along with the glass french windows, compliment the nature surrounding this beautifully designed room. 

15. Cottage with Green Inspiration

This cottage style living space is full of green plants like ferns and floral arrangements. The vintage fireplace, rustic side table and walls compliment the lush green of the plants and trees. I like the juxtaposition of the modern lucite table and rug paired with the distressed wood floors and ample seating area.

16. Indoor-Outdoor Bedroom

This indoor-outdoor bedroom is every child and grown-ups dream space. Imagine having two swings in your bedroom under windows of light and a jungle of green behind you. I would lounge in the modern platform bed all day, staring at those beautiful plants and thanking my lucky stars. 

17. Organic Plant-Filled Bathroom

Would you say that modern man has lost touch with nature? Throughout history, we have always been trying to make our lives easier and more comfortable, but we have always been living in nature, surrounded by trees, water, insects, flowers, and animals. Sadly, we seem to have wandered too far in our need to feel safe, and now nature seems too foreign and distant.

The origins of biophilia

The term “biophilia” which translates to “love of nature” appeared for the first time in 1984. Edward Wilson, an American biologist and influential theorist at the time wrote a book titled Biophilia thus popularizing the term. Wilson brought up a bold hypothesis in the book, arguing that humans have an innate tendency to seek and form connections with nature. He stated that people can benefit greatly when they’re in close contact with nature and suffer if they’re excluded from it. When people focused on urban spaces, their bond with nature has weakened, and as a result, their health deteriorated. At the same time, a study conducted by Roger Ulrich’s provided objective proof that our health is greatly impacted by our environment. These theories and conclusions lead to great changes in architecture and that’s how biophilic design emerged.

What is biophilic design?

Biophilic design is incorporating nature with design. It includes natural light, vegetation, natural materials, natural colors, natural shapes and animals.

Unlike traditional designs, biophilic design is actually based on evidence so its approach is as scientific as it is esthetic. In essence of this design lays an idea that design should be fused with natural elements so as to offer the most benefits to a person’s wellbeing. While architecture is generally considered to be a perfect cross between art and science, the science part of it is often overlooked. On the other hand, biophilic design actually brought science back and fused it with design since it relies heavily onto evidence and research to help us find the best ways to create spaces which are in harmony with nature.

Bathroom

The bathroom is the space where we can meditate and focus on ourselves, and when we are able to feel close to nature, the time we spend there is even more therapeutic. It’s not too difficult to use biophilic design in bathrooms, and there are things you can do yourself or perhaps try hiring a reliable bathroom renovator to help you put your ideas in motion. You can start by trying to reduce the amount of water we use: installing low-flow faucets, recycling water, using rainwater, and relying on flow restrictors can greatly help us save water. Using bath mats made of pebbles or real moss, towels made of organic cotton or bamboo, and placing a plant that loves warmth and humidity in the corner will completely transform the space.

Bedroom

We already mentioned wallpapers with patterns representing nature: flowers, leaves, twigs, or birds, but you can also choose bed sheets with similar designs if wallpapers aren’t exactly your cup of tea. In addition, you can choose bed sheets that are made of natural materials such as silk, cotton, or bamboo, and also use carpets or throw rugs made of wool. These are a bit more expensive items, but they’re also natural and better for your health. You could also try playing soothing sounds around bedtime to help you relax and fall asleep faster: sounds of running water, ocean waves, or frogs will make you feel like you’re sleeping outside while you’re actually in your comfy bed.

Also read our article listing out and describing 14 plants that may help you sleep better.

Office

Whether we like it or not, we spend a great deal of time in offices and meetings. This means a lot of concrete, steel, glass, white walls, and artificial lighting. These elements might look professional, but they make us feel tired and don’t exactly help in keeping us motivated. Plenty of plants and artwork on walls help stimulate employees, and chill out zones are something that every workplace should have. Comfy couches and armchairs where you can have your coffee and/or tea and chat with a coworker are wonderful ways to help employees stay calm, optimistic, and motivated even when they’re working on a big project and have a deadline approaching.