People now spend an average of 90% of their time indoors – most likely binge-watching
Netflix and complaining about the weather. This lifestyle change, not surprisingly, isn’t all that great for you; as it turns out, people need to be connected to nature.
Biophilic Design
Cue biophilic design: a philosophy for designing interiors that revolves around bringing aspects of the outdoors in. The concept stems from Edward O. Wilson, who coined the term “biophilia” for the rejuvenating relationship between humans and nature. In short, by treating the indoors more like the outdoors, you’re able to regain that crucial connection.
Not only is biophilic design in style, studies also show that it reduces stress, increases productivity, and contributes to overall happiness. Sounds like a good reason for a redesign! Ready to add some more nods to nature to your space? Here are the key elements of biophilic design:
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NATURAL LIGHT
This is an easy one. More windows equal more natural light, which is essential to your well-being. People are basically just plants with more complicated emotions, so we need to soak up some sun. Adding mirrors to your space can increase the amount of light, especially when hung on the wall opposite a window.
RAW MATERIAL
In an ideal world, every room in our house would come complete with a perfect view of the great outdoors. If this isn’t possible, which is the case for most of us, a large, wooden table or console is an easy way to give your space a breath of fresh air and infuse it with a little bit of nature.
GREENERY
Guess what – all those plants you keep buying do serve a purpose. Not only do they purify the air, they are also a central stake in biophilic design. Incorporate greenery though patterns and colours.
ORGANIC SHAPES
Organic shapes are forms that occur in nature – no harsh lines here! Opt for live wood edges and curved pieces to complete your biophilic oasis. As an added bonus, organic shapes also contribute to an overall feeling of ease, and who doesn’t want that in their home?
Biophilic design doesn’t need to be an impossible or expensive process of knocking down walls to create floor-to-ceiling windows. Small changes add up, and can be tailored to suit your needs and your space.
Show us your biophilic design touches using #DufresneStyle!