Make Your Home Serene With These Biophilic Interior Design Tips

It sounds complex, but it's really not. Biophilic theory all boils down to one big idea — that people feel better when they're connected to nature. In fact, research has shown that being surrounded by nature can lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, improve your concentration and generally make you happier. You don't have to know all that to enjoy the benefits of biophilic interior design, though. Creating a harmonious, serene home based on the principles of biophilic interior design actually comes pretty naturally (see what we did there?). Here are eight ways you can use biophilic principles to transform your home into a restorative refuge.

If you're lucky enough to live in a home with a view, find ways to make that view an integral part of your design. Window walls — whether they're one big slider to your patio or a bank of windows over the kitchen sink — make nature part of your home decor and increase the amount of natural light in your rooms. 

Make the most of the views by keeping window treatments simple. Sheer curtains can give you some privacy while still allowing the light to enter.

When choosing furniture, think about the kinds of shapes and colors that are found in Nature. Opt for unpainted wood, including bamboo, wicker and rattan. Consider curving shapes and soft rounded edges that invoke the feeling of the great outdoors. That doesn't necessarily mean rustic — though side tables made from tree stumps are totally on-trend. Biophilic design can also be very sleek and minimalist.

There are so many ways you can use your walls to increase the restful, natural vibes in any room. Turning a wall into an accent wall with a forest, island or mountain mural is an inexpensive alternative to a window wall, for example. Look for wallpaper patterns featuring banana or palm leaves.

For the floors, more natural materials. Hardwood floors are the perfect backdrop for the soft greens, grays, blues and browns that work well with this design trend. If you don't have good hardwoods, consider stone tile or install engineered wood flooring in your choice of finish. Choose cotton dhurrie rugs or braided accent rugs where you want a little padding under your feet.

One of the most difficult parts of recreating your space into one that has a cohesive style is removing items that don't fit the new aesthetic. Clearing out the clutter gives you a clean slate on which to build, and may reveal possibilities you hadn't considered. Whether you're turning your garage into a relaxing yoga studio or transforming your living room, you may end up with a mountain of unwanted castoffs. Rather than moving it to another area of your home, consider selling it or storing it for later use.

One of the most beneficial aspects of the great outdoors is natural sunlight. Its wavelengths help our bodies stay in tune with nature. In addition to using window dressings that let natural light shine through, you can also upgrade your lighting to take advantage of bulbs with daylight or sunlight settings. Color-changing LEDs also give you the option to adjust the lighting for different tasks and moods — shift to blue for nights, or add a little soft rose in the mornings and evenings to simulate dawn and dusk.

Speaking of natural lighting, there's no better way to bring natural light into your home than with a skylight. Innovative new products, like sun tunnels or overhead windows for gabled roofs, make it possible to install skylights in rooms that don't have the space for a traditional skylight. If you've got the budget, there are even virtual skylights with ultra-high-def sky videos and LED lighting that matches the scene above. Printed skylight panels for drop ceilings are an option that's friendlier to your budget. You can even buy and apply ceiling murals designed to look like skylights. You won't get the sun and light, but it will definitely make your room feel more open and natural.

Biophilic interior design incorporates plants in every size and every room. You can find houseplants at the supermarket, home improvement store or gardening center, or you can check out an online plant store like Bloomsccape.com, which helps you find just the right plant for your space. Try ferns and palms in your bathroom, a ficus tree in your living room or a lovely dracaena in your bedroom. As for your kitchen, it's the perfect place for an Aerogarden. You get double benefits — beautiful design accent and tasty veggies for dinner.

In a world full of pressures and stress, your home should be a place where you can refresh, restore, and recharge. We hope these tips and suggestions inspire you to transform your space into an oasis of serenity where you can relax and enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature.