Biophilia: How To Incorporate Biophilic Design Into Your Life Sustainably
In the ever-changing world of fashion, art, and interior design, biophilia continues to showcase its lasting power despite the slew of passing fads. The widely used term that even made it to Pinterest's 2022 trend report, was coined by the Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson back in the 1980s to perfectly describe humans’ connection to the rest of the natural world.
The Health Benefits Of Biophilia & Biophilic Design
Derived from the Greek words for “life” and “love or affection”, Biophilia quite literally means “love of life.” Nonetheless, it is much more than just a philosophy. Artists, designers, sustainability activists, and scientists alike agree that the Biophilic style supports cognitive function, physical health, and psychological well-being proving that the inherent connection between humans and nature is not lost.
On top of that, Psychologists have even found that simply adding plants to your office can increase well-being by 47%, creativity by 45%, and workplace productivity by 38%. So much so that Many companies across the world such as Amazon, Google, and Apple are investing in adapting their buildings to Biophilic Design.
Nonetheless, architects are not the only ones who take advantage of the mind-soothing benefits of environmental features, natural shapes and patterns, lush greenery, and the presence of water. biophilic design has taken the entire creatively-charged wired by storm, showing us plenty of ways to incorporate biophilia into our own day-to-day lives as well.
How To Incorporate Biophilia Into Your Home & Life
Nature Inspired Interiors
There is mounting evidence of the value of artwork as a way to reduce anxiety. Incorporating just a few beautiful natural prints into your home such as floral pillows, and plant motifs furnishing “drenched” in the calming effect of nature can lower your anxiety levels and improve your mental health. You can also give your walls a complete makeover by adding nature-inspired wallpapers adorned with blooms, leaves, or even forest artwork.
Sustainable, natural shapes & materials
Earth-friendly and sustainable furnishing materials like wood, clay, cork, rattan, and wool add a natural feel and aesthetic to your home. Raw unfinished wood tables and stools, for example, are the quintessential way to bring nature into your home. Not only wood is recyclable and renewable but also the only building material made from sun, rain, and carbon from the air.
On top of that, you can also add an equally sustainable jute or rattan rag to turn your home into a calming oasis by staying true to the principles of biophilic design. Dress your home in biodegradable plant pots made from rice straw, coconut fiber, and a natural latex adhesive to perfect your natural color scheme.
A touch of greenery
You don’t need a lush garden to bring green into your life. Research has shown that just a few indoor plants can easily boost moods, increase creativity, reduce stress, and eliminate air pollutants - even more so if you invest in air-purifying plants like Spider plants, Aloe Vera, Broad Lady Palm, And Weeping Figs. And since biophilia is all about creating a deep connection with nature, maybe you could also add an energy-efficient hydroponic indoor garden that consumes almost 10 times less water than regular gardens and about 3.8 kWh/month because the liquid is captured and reused.
Biophilic style clothing & jewelry
Biophilia in fashion? You bet! From botanical prints to simple line art graphics biophilic style deserves to be in your wardrobe arsenal. Even if you aren’t a fan of prints, you can always opt for jewelry and handbags crafted from cork or wood to reinforce your connection with nature. There are also plenty of small designers who proudly showcase their nature-inspired creations on Etsy ranging from miniature bottle necklaces chock full of little flowers to delicate gold lear earrings. Bohemian lovers will also appreciate the slew of macrame designs made from cotton twine, linen, and hemp - just to name a few organic options.
Biophilic tattoo design
From full-length sleeve tattoos of delicate flowers to tiny and super discrete tattoos of trees, and gorgeous blooms like orchids, roses, peonies, sunflowers, lilies, jasmine, lotus, and daisies, biophilia-inspired body art, more and more people are adorning their bodies and homes with themes from nature.
Whether you are a fashion connoisseur ready to take advantage of the evidence-based mental health benefits of biophilia, a self-proclaimed decor enthusiast, or a body art lover, there are plenty of ways to incorporate biophilic design into your day-to-day life! Because let’s face it, it’s not merely a trend, but a full-blown environmental movement — and it’s definitely here to stay!
