Your home is where you should be able to unwind and rejuvenate from the day’s stresses, regardless of who may be there to greet you. You can create a tranquil and stimulating atmosphere in your home by bringing natural elements into your present home design, making it a place you look forward to returning to at the end of your work day. Biophilia is based on the theory that humans have an innate desire to connect with nature embedded in our DNA. Scientific research shows that connecting with nature can enhance physical and mental well-being. So, when you blend biophilic ideas in your home, you’re bringing the benefits of nature into your living space.
For centuries, humans evolved in harmony with their natural environment. However, in today’s world, they’re evolving based on technology created by the modern world. Although there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that spending time in nature every day can have a significant positive impact on their health, they spend most of their time indoors, often in spaces completely disconnected from nature. Incorporating elements of biophilia in a living space can provide numerous health benefits, such as:
- reducing anxiety
- elevating your mood
- improving the quality of your sleep
- boosting your energy level
- enhancing your cognitive performance
- reducing pain threshold
- reducing daily stress
- stabilizing your blood pressure
- strengthening your immune system
- increasing recovery time
Social ecologist Stephen Kellert proposed the idea of biophilic design, which is divided into six elements, each concept applicable to your home, office, or any other place where you want to connect with nature. There are many creative ways to bring the benefits of biophilia into your living environment, regardless of the size of your home.
Environmental features
Bringing in natural elements, like water, sunlight, and vegetation, into your home can help you feel more connected to nature. Studies have shown that spaces filled with nature can reduce stress levels, improve comfort, and promote healing. For instance, placing a small Japanese fountain at the entryway can create a welcoming sound of trickling water for you to enjoy after a long day. Similarly, an aquarium placed in a visible part of the house can provide visual cues for relaxation and create a sense of calm. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can easily find YouTube videos that show wood-burning fireplaces in different settings.
Natural shapes and forms
Natural shapes and forms play an essential role in biophilic design. While right angles and straight lines are not commonly found in nature, curved shapes like columns, ovals, arches, shells, spirals, and botanical patterns are. Incorporating these shapes into interior design can create a more natural feel. For instance, using oval rugs with floral patterns, unclosed geometrical shapes, and furniture in earth-tone colors can help bring the shapes of nature indoors. Additionally, furniture with soft curves, such as wooden coffee or accent tables, can further enhance the aesthetics of a natural environment.
Natural patterns and processes
This principle is based on utilizing the structures and laws found in nature. It emphasizes the importance of having central focal points, patterned holes, clear boundaries, and complementary contrasts. When creating a biophilic space, it’s possible to incorporate patterns found in nature, such as fractal shapes. These shapes, including neurons, blood vessels, and lungs, can be observed throughout the human body. Materials like weathering steel can be utilized to reflect the passage of time. Adding decorative items such as seashells, tree branches, crystals, pine cones, or even geometrical patterns like pyramids can be placed throughout the home to maintain daily connections with nature patterns.
Light and space
This principle highlights the importance of incorporating diverse lighting options, including ample natural light, to establish a visually appealing and dynamic space. Simply placing a desk near a window that overlooks a scenic view, such as trees, a lake, or an open space, allows for natural light and relaxing scenery to enter the room.
Place-based relationships
This principle highlights the importance of integrating natural elements such as mountains, deserts, rivers, and plants in living spaces to prevent disconnection from the environment. Decorating a house with planters, living roofs, and nature-inspired art can bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. Hanging a large picture of yourself in a landscape, such as a canyon or mountain peak, is a creative way to connect with nature and enhance the ambiance of your living space. This can help you feel more connected to the outside environment and foster a sense of appreciation for the natural world.
Evolved human-nature relationships
The final principle emphasizes a connection with nature in order to restore and increase our sense of responsibility for the planet. If you notice changes in your mood and senses as the seasons change, it is likely that you are experiencing varying levels of connection with nature throughout the year. Taking a nature walk, observing animals living peacefully in their natural habitat, and enjoying the beauty of sunrises and sunsets are all ways of connecting with the earth. Experiencing the crisp autumn air and listening to the sound of rustling leaves outside your window connects you to Earth’s seasonal changes. All these examples of nature are a reminder of the living planet.
Maintaining relationships and taking responsibility for our planet go hand in hand. By staying connected in various ways, we can ensure we do our part to preserve the environment. Planting trees and taking care of the oceans are just one way of being connected. Making choices such as consuming sustainable fish and meat, switching to cleaner energy, and buying deforestation-free palm oil products can significantly impact the environment. Creating biophilic homes benefits humans and the environment, allowing for a symbiotic relationship that continuously reconnects us to our planet.
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