The Biophilic Home

I have never before been so grateful for my garden. Cocooned indoors over recent weeks like everybody else, the simple luxury and escapism of stepping outside into nature, inhaling the fresh air and enjoying the trees and flowers, has helped keep my sanity in check. I also know how lucky I am to have my own outdoor space and the healing and restorative effects it brings to my overall health.

This feeling is the very essence of Biophilic design, a concept I came across relatively recently but which feeds into the very core of my styling ethos. In 1984, renowned scientist Edward O Wilson introduced the concept that human’s connection and attraction to the natural world is not only inherent but crucial to our physical and mental wellbeing. As humans, we are essentially designed to function in and with the natural world and consequently, this urban, indoor life we have created for ourselves negates this fundamental need. Basically nature makes us happier, more productive and reduces our stress levels, so by incorporating the natural world into our home and work environment via natural light, fresh air, views and restorative spaces, we are feeding our mental and physical well-being in the best possible way.

There are some simple steps towards creating a more Biophilic home environment that we can all adopt. Firstly….free your windows! The quality and provision of natural light is integral to Biophilic design and windows are your home’s key source, despite the fact they can often be partially obscured by curtains, drapes and blinds. By pulling these back or removing entirely, you can maximise both the light they let in and what you can see out – a view over a garden or tree tops, or even just a glimpse of the sky is more precious than ever in our current circumstances. Keep sills free of clutter and windows clean and throw them open wide, not only for the fresh air but to connect you with the sounds and smells of the outdoors. To prove I practice what I preach, the first image below is from my home and it is truly a fabulous inside/outside living experience come sun or rain with the oak tree taking centre stage!

Secondly, have a look around and see whether you have positioned your furniture to best connect with your outdoors, creating recuperative areas within your home to retreat to and relax in. Comfy chairs or sofas turned towards patio doors will enable you to enjoy the outside even when inside, while a reading corner in a bedroom with a chair backed against the window will best utilise the natural light coming in. 

With so many of us working from home, have you thought to move your desk or table in front of a window? According to the Biophilic train of thought, not only should this boost your productivity and keep you focused and inspired, it will enable you to literally turn your back on all those distractions from inside your home. I have staged the properties below to maximise on their stunning skylights, creating the social space and focus of the room directly underneath to make best use of the light. Even the simple repositioning of a mirror to reflect a window may better bounce light around a small or dark space. 

If you are familiar with my blog and Instagram one thing you will know for sure is that I bring the ‘outside in’ wherever possible – the natural world and Biophilic thinking lies at the very heart of my styling practices! There are upteen decorative ways to introduce elements of nature into the home. I have an inherent inclination towards a natural palette – cool, clear blues, fresh greens, warm woods and earthy tones and like to style using nature inspired textures, shapes and patterns, combining real or faux plants and flowers with more pictorial representations that appear in artwork, soft furnishings and accessories.

I love to introduce natural materials to interior schemeS, such as rattan, linen and bamboo - their tactile surfaces help combat the smooth, manmade finishes, straight lines and hard edges of modern life. As a sustainable stylist I also like to choose natural decor to accessorize with, adding in pieces like a vintage lamp, handmade cushions or a coffee table made from wood to help a buyer connect with nature and the property. It’s all about establishing and maintaining that connection between your home and the natural world, in subtle or less subtle ways depending on your preference!

With so much time spent at home, now might also be the time to parent an indoor plant or two such as succulents, spider plants and peace lilies - not only are they beautiful, they can improve air quality if you have enough of them. Flowers and plants not only dictate the mood of a room, whether it be structural, single stems or branches in vases, swathes of bright and colourful blooms or small, dainty posies – they are also a wonderful reflection of the changing seasons, connecting you with the world outside. However, the stunningly convincing faux alternatives on the market do have their advantages. There is greater choice and styling versatility to be had when you don’t need to worry about the best light source or remembering to water them. 

So all in all, I find little not to champion about Biophilic thinking and design. Not only does it focus on connecting us more with nature, thus improving our general wellbeing, it fully supports sustainable styling since natural fabrics and materials not only last longer but create far less waste and impact on our environment than manmade alternatives. What’s not to love?