Style Deep Dive: This is Biophilic Interior Design
Author: vonsassy | Last Updated: September 9, 2025
Hello design lovers,
Are you interested in designing spaces that bring the outdoors inside and promote well-being? If so, welcome to the world of Biophilic Interior Design.
Welcome to “style deep dive”, a comprehensive style series that explores 30 major interior design styles from our list of the top interior design styles in the world. In this series we focusing on outlining the key design elements and techniques to help you easily recognize and recreate each style with ease.
From brief history to practical tips on achieving the look, this guide covers everything you need to know about Biophilic design.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s explore the natural beauty of Biophilic interior design!
1. How to Recognize the Biophilic Interior Design Style
The first thing to know about Biophilic design is that it’s not as much a “style” or manner of decorating, so much as it is a design philosophy. Biophilic design focuses on connecting interior spaces with nature.
You could say it’s an approach to design and architecture, and for this reason, biophilic principles need to be incorporated into a design right from the beginning.
So how do you do that? To really create a biophilic space, you need to integrate organic elements like natural materials, green vegetation, natural light, and even organic forms to foster a sense of well-being and tranquility.
The goal? To create environments that mimic natural ecosystems and promote healthier and more balanced living spaces.
Here are some key characteristics of Biophilic interiors you should know:
- Plants, plants, plants!: Living walls, potted plants, and vertical gardens are common.
- Natural light: Maximizing sunlight through skylights, large windows, and open layouts.
- Organic materials: Wood, stone, bamboo, and natural fabrics like cotton and wool.
- Water elements: Incorporating fountains or water features to bring the soothing sound of flowing water indoors.
- Natural shapes and forms: Organic curves and patterns inspired by nature, avoiding harsh geometric lines.
2. Key Features of Biophilic Interiors
To get started with creating a Biophilic interior, you’ll want to focus on integrating natural elements, and even going a step further to mimic the qualities of outdoor environments. Here’s what to look for:
Architectural Features
Open-plan layouts that maximize natural light and ventilation are essential in Biophilic design. Consider incorporating glass doors or large windows to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Skylights and clerestory windows are often used to increase sunlight exposure.
Color Palette
The Biophilic color palette draws inspiration from nature, featuring earthy tones like greens, browns, beiges, and deep blues. These natural hues are used to create a calm, grounded atmosphere that feels connected to the environment.
Materials and Textures
Natural materials such as wood, stone, cork, and bamboo dominate. Soft textures, like wool and linen, provide comfort and tactile connection to the natural world. Recycled materials and sustainably sourced products are often favored.
Decor Elements
Plants are a must in Biophilic design! Vertical gardens, indoor trees, and hanging plants are popular. In addition, water features, natural sculptures, and nature-inspired art (like botanical prints or organic shapes) complement the design.
3. A Brief History of Biophilic Interior Style
The term “biophilia” harks back to the 1980s when psychologist Edward O. Wilson first popularized the concept. Emphasizing humans’ innate connection with nature, Biophilic design draws on this idea, seeking to integrate natural elements into built environments.
The philosophy behind Biophilic interior design can be traced back to ancient civilizations that revered nature in their architecture. From the gardens of Babylon to traditional Japanese tea houses, there are plenty of great examples across cultures!
Fast forward to today, Biophilic design has continued to gain popularity in the early 21st century, especially in workplaces, schools, and hospitals, where it has proven to improve well-being, productivity, and even health outcomes.
Today, biophilic design continues to be an integral part of residential and commercial design, especially in sustainable and eco-friendly building practices.
4. Biophilic Style’s Popularity Over Time
Biophilic design has seen growing interest in recent years, especially as the conversation around sustainability and mental health has become more prominent. People are seeking homes that support well-being and promote a healthy lifestyle, both physically and mentally.
The popularity of Biophilic design skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many individuals were confined indoors and sought ways to reconnect with nature. This design style continues to rise, especially with the increasing focus on green building certifications, eco-conscious living, and wellness in interior spaces.
5. How to Achieve the Biophilic Interior Aesthetic
To successfully achieve a Biophilic aesthetic in your home, you can focus on the following core elements to bring this design style and philosophy to life and get it to work for you:
- Bring in natural elements: Use materials like wood, stone, and water, and incorporate greenery wherever possible. Indoor plants or vertical gardens are essential.
- Maximize natural light: Ensure that spaces are well-lit with natural sunlight by using large windows, skylights, or light wells.
- Incorporate natural patterns and forms: Choose furniture and decor that feature organic shapes and biomorphic patterns.
- Add water features: A small indoor fountain or even an aquarium can provide the calming sound and movement of water, enhancing the natural environment.
- Focus on ventilation and air quality: Open up spaces, use breathable materials, and incorporate cross-ventilation to keep air circulating.
6. Dos and Don’ts of Biophilic Interiors
Here are some best practices and a few things to stay away from as you work toward creating your own biophilic design haven:
Dos:
- Incorporate plenty of indoor plants and greenery.
- Use sustainable, natural materials like wood, bamboo, and stone.
- Maximize natural light and ventilation.
- Opt for earthy, calming color schemes.
- Incorporate natural shapes and textures to evoke the outdoors.
Don’ts:
- Avoid artificial plants or overly synthetic materials.
- Steer clear of harsh, geometric designs that don’t evoke nature.
- Don’t clutter the space with too many unrelated decor elements.
- Avoid dark, enclosed spaces without natural light or airflow.
7. Which Other Interior Design Styles Share Characteristics with Biophilic Style?
Biophilic design does not exist in a design style silo! It shares quite a few similarities with other nature-inspired and eco-conscious interior styles; all of which are worth exploring if you love natural, minimalist styles.
These include:
- Scandinavian: Both focus on natural materials, light, and simplicity. While Scandinavian tends to lean toward minimalism, Biophilic places more emphasis on organic forms and living elements.
- Tropical: Like Biophilic, Tropical design incorporates greenery and natural materials, but with a more vibrant color palette and bolder patterns.
- Organic Modern: Both Biophilic and Organic Modern design prioritize sustainability and natural materials. Organic Modern often incorporates sleek, modern furniture with softer, more natural finishes.
- Japandi: The combination of Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics in Japandi also focuses on simplicity, natural materials, and tranquility, much like Biophilic interiors.
8. In the Wild: Notable Biophilic Designers and Examples of Biophilic Style
Biophilic design is becoming more commonplace, and as is prominent in both residential and commercial spaces. Here are some notable designers and examples of Biophilic interiors:
- Neri&Hu: An architectural duo that integrates Biophilic principles into modern urban spaces.
- Amanda Sturgeon: Author of “Creating Biophilic Buildings,” she is a key figure in the Biophilic design movement.
- The Green School, Bali: A prime example of Biophilic architecture, where classrooms are built entirely from bamboo, blending seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
Here are a few examples of common Biophilic design in homes:
- Indoor vertical gardens: Living walls of greenery that add life to the interior space.
- Zen-inspired gardens: Biophilic design that creates a direct connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Green roofs: Roofs covered in vegetation, providing insulation and a connection to nature from above.
We hope you enjoyed learning about Biophilic interior design style with us today. Thank you for reading Style Deep Dive: Biophilic Interior Design. And, don’t be shy! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on new style guides, or grab our Ultimate 30 Interior Design Styles Reference for free.
—Vonsassy
