In the past, people were always surrounded by nature. Unfortunately, recent years have seen a significant drift from this narrative. Today’s ‘natural habitat’ is largely the constructed environment where we spend close to 90% of our time. This is the core reason as to why the Biophilic design has become incredibly popular. The fundamental goal of this design is to create a good habitat for people by incorporating nature in architecture. The benefits of this are vast such as reduced stress, boost productivity and improved well being of people. The easiest way of incorporating Biophilic design is through the use of natural lighting, natural materials, natural colors, vegetation and animals. Below are several ways on how various rooms in a home can adopt the Biophilic design;
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- THE LIVING ROOM
The easiest way for our living rooms to feel connected with nature is by simply opening the windows every morning. Windows are the main interface between the home and nature, They are the entryway of sunshine and wind which are fundamental elements in boosting one’s energy and spirits. Curtains and other window treatments are superb for privacy, however, keep them open during the day to enable you to see the clear skies and your garden. It pays to have the sitting room designed to have a nice view of the outdoors. Greenery is an excellent way of making the living room feel warm and inviting. Strategically place a couple of nice pots of succulents and you’ll be amazed by how clean and the fresh the air will feel.
- THE KITCHEN
Introduce furniture and equipment with natural shapes and patterns as opposed to straight angles to best optimise on space. Nowadays, it’s quite easy to find an online furniture shop for your needs that embodies the Biophilic design. Weave in some greenery on the windowsills or shelves to not only purity the air but also add some aesthetics to the space.
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- THE BEDROOM
The use of natural materials such as wood for bedroom furniture is the first step to incorporating Biophilia to a bedroom. Opt for beddings made from natural textiles such as cotton and silk while the carpets and throw rugs should be made of wool. These materials may be expensive but are best for your health. For the walls, have some wallpapers with pictures representing nature such as leaves, birds or flowers to add color and texture to a room. As you sleep, try playing soothing sounds to help you relax your mind hence fall asleep faster. Sounds of running water or birds chirping can make one feel as if they are sleeping outdoors while actually at the comfort of their bed.
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- THE BATHROOM
The bathroom is a crucial area where we focus on ourselves and meditate on the activities of the day. When we connect with nature, the time spent evaluating our worth makes more sense. To incorporate Biophilic design to a bathroom, start by reducing the amount of water in use. This can be through recycling, using rainwater or relying on flow restrictors to help save on water. Use towels made of organic material like cotton or wool. Pick colors inspired by nature such as a color palette of the sunset or shades of green to represent the forest.
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- THE DINING AREA
The dining area is a focal point in any home where the family gathers to share in a meal. Use natural surfaces such as stone, wood, leather, just to name a few and well-crafted joinery for the dining table. Complement this with a woven rug and a canvas lampshade. Fit lighting that imitates nature in the absence of natural light.
