Biophilic design — from the Greek ‘biophilia’, love of living things — is the principle that human beings function better and feel more at ease in environments that contain elements of nature. This is not simply an aesthetic preference; it is neurologically and physiologically documented. Plants, natural materials, organic forms and natural light all reduce stress markers, improve concentration and create interiors that feel genuinely inhabitable rather than merely functional.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design in residential interiors operates at three levels: the presence of living plants and organisms; the use of natural materials (wood, stone, linen, ceramics, leather); and forms and patterns that echo nature (curves, organic shapes, botanical prints). All three levels can be present simultaneously, or a single level can be the primary expression of the approach.
The most accessible entry point is plants. The most enduring expression is natural materials throughout — linen, natural-fibre rugs, ceramic vessels, stone surfaces and wood tones.
Plants by Room
Living room: The room that benefits most from plant presence. A large architectural plant — fiddle-leaf fig, monstera, olive tree, tall snake plant — in a floor-level planter adds scale and living presence that no decorative object can replicate. Cluster smaller plants on shelves and surfaces. See the living room styling guide.
Kitchen: Herbs on a windowsill are the simplest and most useful biophilic intervention in any kitchen. Beyond herbs: trailing pothos or ivy above cabinets, a single architectural plant in a corner.
Bedroom: Moderate plants only in the bedroom. Most plants absorb CO2 at night which is counterproductive in a sleeping space. Snake plants and succulents are exceptions — they continue photosynthesis at night and are suitable for bedrooms. A single small plant on a bedside table or windowsill is enough. See the bedroom design guide.
Bathroom: High-humidity lovers — ferns, peace lilies, air plants, orchids — thrive in bathrooms if there is natural light. A bathroom plant is one of the most effortless spa signals available. See the bathroom décor guide.
Home office: Plants in the home office are disproportionately beneficial for concentration and stress reduction. A medium-sized plant within the line of sight — on the desk or windowsill behind the monitor — provides the micro-rest that the visual system needs during screen work. See home office accessories guide.
Scale and Placement
Plant scale should be treated with the same logic as any other decorative object. A single large plant makes more impact than six small ones. An architectural plant in a living room — something that reaches 150 cm or above — occupies space with an authority that small plants cannot. Three large plants in a room is more powerful than twenty small ones.
Placement: plants respond to light sources, so position the light-demanding plants nearest the windows and the shade-tolerant ones further in. From a design perspective, large plants work best in corners (adding verticality to what is usually an unused zone), beside significant furniture pieces (a sofa, a fireplace), or as punctuation at the end of a corridor.
Vessels and Planters
The planter is as visible as the plant. A beautiful ceramic pot elevates a plant from garden centre purchase to designed element. Choose planters that respond to the room's material palette: terracotta and earthenware for Mediterranean and maximalist schemes; white and pale ceramics for Scandinavian and minimalist interiors; woven baskets for boho and organic schemes.
Browse the vases collection for vessels that work both with cut flowers and as planters. Artisan ceramic vessels from the decorative ornaments collection can also double as beautiful plant holders for smaller specimens.
Natural Materials Beyond Plants
Biophilic design extends beyond plants to the materials throughout the home: linen and cotton textiles in preference to synthetic; wool or natural-fibre rugs; ceramic and stone surfaces; wood tones in furniture and floors; pottery and earthenware vessels; silk and natural textiles; soy or beeswax candles.
See the care guide for natural materials in our luxury item care guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is biophilic design in interior design?
- Integrating elements of nature — living plants, natural materials (linen, stone, wood, ceramics), organic forms — into the home. Based on documented evidence that humans feel and function better in nature-connected environments.
- What are the best indoor plants for a living room?
- Architectural plants with strong forms: fiddle-leaf fig, monstera, olive tree, tall snake plant. A single large plant makes more impact than several small ones. Pair with a beautiful ceramic planter from the vases collection.
- Are plants good for a bedroom?
- In moderation. Most plants produce CO2 at night. Snake plants and succulents are exceptions. One or two plants is ideal; avoid a plant-dense sleeping space.
