If you’re looking for a dynamic and classic design, there’s nothing that stands the test of time better than a home that really complements the wider natural landscape it occupies. That in a nutshell is why so many Australian homeowners are falling in love with biophilic interior design.
When you think of biophilic design, you may imagine floor to ceiling windows, rooftop solar panels, and enough houseplants to constitute an indoor greenhouse. And yes, whilst eco living is a cornerstone of biophilic interior and architectural styling, it’s important to keep in mind that incorporating true biophilic design goes beyond infrastructure alone. In fact, sometimes it’s the most simple changes to your home that can elevate its eco living and sustainability factors.
Today, we’re going to outline the main principles of biophilic interior design and delve deeper into these core guidelines, outlining changes that can make your home more biophilic both functionally as well as aesthetically.
Essential Biophilic Design Principles
When it comes to incorporating the core principles of biophilic design into your Aussie home, it’s always good to look at your basics. Biophillia is in essence, descriptive of the harmony between us and the world around us, harnessing this natural inclination towards the biosphere to improve mental health and wellbeing.
So the best way you can build biophilic interiors from the ground up is to make sure your interior spaces always invite the natural world in rather than shutting it out. This can refer to many different practices, from installing glass sliding doors to unify indoor and outdoor living spaces, designing windowscapes to provide all your interiors with great natural views, and even small details like designing with natural light and incorporating indoor plants.
So as we provide further guidelines for biophilic design below, try to think about how you can implement the basics of this design style across your own home interiors, these principles being:
- Design with earthy, organic colour schemes and decor
- Design for cohesion between interior and exterior spaces
- Design with solar orientation and light availability in mind
- Utilise natural materials (local timber) and resources (i.e. rainwater tanks, solar panels, etc.)
Let’s go further in-depth with some of these essential principles and you can utilise them in your own biophilic design schemes.
Use Earthy Tones and Textures
When using this as your framework for home design, inviting nature into your space can come in many forms. This could mean using natural elements where possible, introducing plants, or harmonising your colour palate to be earthy toned.
Design features like a statement stonetop kitchen counter, or repurposed timber beams can be design driven choices that give your abode that biophilic flair. Not only will this be sustainable, which is another core tenant of biophilic design, but it will ground your design to the nature it exists in whilst adding dimension and texture.
From here, pairing these statement pieces with neutral tones and earthy colours will also keep your spaces feeling harmonious, and calming. So use organic neutral tones like pastel greens, blues, browns, and beiges as well as complementary materials and textures like raw timber, wicker, linen, stone, and paper (i.e. paper-look lanterns and lamps).
Prioritise Natural Light Availability and Ventilation
One way to integrate the indoor and outdoor elements is to utilise natural light and air flow. Large windows, skylights, and open-plan designs are all rudimentary to creating a space that embraces the elements.
Utilising natural light can help reset your circadian rhythm, and save energy costs during the daytime. Large floor to ceiling windows are an asset when setting up indoor plants as well, allowing them to bathe in the sunlight whilst being protected from the harsh winds. Depending on the climate you live in, you may want to consider using double glazed windows so that you can keep out the frosty parts of nature you may not wish to have in your home.
Another great benefit of a large statement window is allowing you to monitor and relish in your property’s garden no matter the time of day or year. Putting effort into maintaining a garden is even more rewarding when you are surrounded by the beauty that only nature can bring. If you’re worried about the spacial limitations of your garden when it comes to landscaping, check out this resource for designing a beautiful flower garden in a smaller space.
Cross ventilation is another way to keep your space fresh and cool especially in the summer. An open plan design promotes the circulation of air, allowing the temperature to be consistent throughout your main living areas. Being able to have natural airflow in your space discourages the growth of harmful mould, keeping your home healthier overall.
Harness Renewable Energy for Powering your Property
Using renewable or sustainable energy where possible is another component of true biophilic design. When it comes to living in Australia, we have an abundance of solutions when it comes to harnessing natural resources sustainably. Whether your goal is to decrease your carbon footprint, or to become completely off-grid, there are many different ways that you can promote self sustainability and be kinder to the environment.
First, let’s start with water. Large rainwater tanks have often been used in the tropical Queensland area to make the most out of the wet seasons and prepare for the droughts of summer. The trend has spread across Australia and now it is common to see a modern house with some sort of rainwater tank. These large reserves can hold enough water to keep your household running in case of an emergency, and prevent harmful stormwater runoff from affecting the environment around your property.
And in the spirit of harnessing natural resources, we cannot forget the value of solar rooftop photovoltaic systems for any biophilic home. Installing solar panels reduces your carbon footprint whilst also lowering your energy costs. By using solar panels, even if you are not fully off grid, you can dip into your energy reserve during power outages.
Embrace Eco-Consciousness with these Biophilic Home Design Principles
Starting small and establishing a relationship between the indoor and outdoor is the key to achieving true biophilic design. Being conscious of the environment around your dwelling and how to integrate it within your everyday life can drastically improve your mental health and help you practice mindfulness. Not only will you be establishing ageless decor, but you will reap the benefits from living a cleaner, more sustainable lifestyle.
