There is no better tactic for this than the biophilic design, which integrates nature into the construct. It’s not about placing a couple of plants in your house; it is about creating an environment that ties the inhabitants to nature and improves their well-being. This article will teach you how to bring biophilic design elements into your modern living room.
Understanding Biophilic Design
The very term “biophilia” means “love of life.” Biophilia is based on the belief that those in the contemporary environment suffer from nature deprivation, and the recommended remedy is frequent healing of nature immigrants in homes and offices. Studies have shown that biophilic design can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Use it for enhanced memory and focus
- Promote creativity and concern rate
- Bring happiness and make us feel ‘feeling good.’
- Promote healing and recovery
Key Principles of Biophilic Design
There are several key principles to keep in mind when incorporating biophilic design into your living room:
- Direct Experience of Nature: This involves using accurate portions of the natural environment in the design and organization of space, including plant life, water fountains, and natural products.
- Indirect Experience of Nature: This means employing parts similar to nature, such as colors, patterns, and images.
- Dynamic and Biomorphic Forms: This is where you ensure that you have employed natural curves or even arches and any other natural forms of weaponry.
- Connection to Place: This means that there should be an environment that suits the specific locality and climate.
- Prospect and Refuge: This principle is about designing a place with views to both the inside and the outside (prospect) and protection elements (refuge).
The use of Natural Elements
When it comes to the biophilic design of the living room, one of the most efficient ways to start with is the usage of Natural Accents. Here are some ideas:
- Plants: Plants are one of the most critical components of biophilic design. They bring aesthetics to my home, and apart from physically cleaning the air, they help me feel more relaxed. Think about many kinds of plants, from massive floor plants to small succulent and hanging plants.
- Water Features: It is crazy that the flow of water can be so relaxing. Consider incorporating a tiny fountain and a water installation on a table in your living room.
- Natural Materials: You should adopt organic furniture and ornaments made from wood, stones, bamboo, and wool on floors and other places. They bring depth and tactile interest into your sanctuary and tie it to the environment.
Maximizing Natural Light
Light is another characteristic of biophilic design, and natural light is particularly encouraged. The benefits can impact our mood, sleep, and well-being and boost our health. Here are some ways to maximize natural light in your living room:
- Large Windows: It is even better if you get extended windows or ceilings; this brings in loads of natural light.
- Skylights: Skylights should be used in structures that do not get direct sunlight or parts of the structure with little to no window access.
- Light Colors: Paint your walls and furniture in light colors to help the natural lighting bounce off the furniture, making the room even lighter.
- Mirrors: It is preferable to put up a few mirrors around the living room so that the light can be reflected in diverse ways throughout the area.
- Sheer Curtains: Choose between the services of sheer curtains or blinds that can allow light to peep through while at the same time maintaining privacy.
Building a Link with Nature
Beyond incorporating natural elements and maximizing natural light, there are other ways to create a connection to nature in your living room:
- Natural Colors: Choose colors close to those in nature, like green, blue, brown, and all the mud colors. Such colors give tranquility and create a feeling of calmness.
- Natural Patterns: Use natural designs like leaves, flowers, and wooden grains. All these patterns could be used in your wallpaper, fabrics, and paintings.
- Nature-Inspired Artwork: Naturally themed pieces, including landscapes, seascapes, and botanical prints, should be hung on the walls.
- Views of Nature: Ideally, try to arrange your furniture to make the best of any view outdoors that has to be seen through the windows.
- Sounds of Nature: Put on music from an excellent bird album or a CD of rain for the rainforest, waves for the beach, etc.
- Natural Scents: Instead of choosing sweet-smelling fragrances, use the ones with natural fragrances of woods, pine, or citrus fruits to give the outdoor ambiance.
Biophilic Design in a Modern Living Room
Here are some specific ideas for incorporating biophilic design into your modern living room:
Vertical Gardens:
- Go Big or Small: A vertical garden installed on an entire wall is eye-popping, but even a simple installation can work wonders. Think about the vertical variety near the kitchen or a big green pillar right by the couch.
- Variety is Key: Intentionally combine plants’ patterns, forms, and colors for variety. It is worth mentioning that trailing plants, succulents, ferns, and flowering vines can be planted in a vertical garden.
- Integrated Lighting: Draw attention to your vertical garden with the incorporated LED lighting, which makes for a fantastic view during the nighttime.
Living Walls:
- Professional Installation: Most living walls need to be professionally put up to meet water and plant needs appropriately.
- Modular Systems: Look into pre-engineered/pre-fabricated modular systems that are easy to maintain and replace plants.
- Feature Wall: To make a change, turn your living wall into a fantastic feature in home design – add a water component, a small waterfall, or a fountain, if possible.
Indoor Trees:
- Choose the Right Tree: Choose a tree that does well indoors, will blend well, and harmonize with the rest of your furniture. Some of the most common plants chosen include fiddle leaf figs, rubber plants, olive trees, and light citrus trees.
- Placement is Crucial: Choose a suitable position for your tree that has enough sunlight and enough space for the tree to expand.
- Potting and Care: Select from a range of stylish pots with a modern design that will match your home and adequately drain and care for your tree.
Natural Fiber Rugs:
- Texture and Warmth: Jute/sisal and wool rugs are very welcoming and contrast to high-tech chairs and tables.
- Define Zones: Rugs are incredible for dividing one area of the living room from another by using carpeting in the sitting area or a reading area.
- Layering: Use a large, neutral rug beneath and place a natural fiber rug over it to create more depth.
Wooden Furniture:
- Sustainable Choices: Choose furniture made of environmentally friendly wood, such as bamboo or recycled wood.
- Clean Lines: Select articles for your kitchen that are sleek and plain without added details to keep your kitchen space looking more trendy.
- Varied Tones: Everyone loves wooden furniture and accessories, so you can choose varying wood tones, but they have to blend well.
Stone Accents:
- Statement Pieces: A stone fireplace surround or even a stone-top coffee table can become a living room’s centerpiece.
- Natural Textures: Select stones with sound textures and wonderful patterns on the veins if you want the shower to be unique.
- Balance with Other Materials: While using stonewares, make sure you use soft backgrounding, such as fabrics and plants, so that it does not make the room very cold.
If you focus on these aspects, you will obtain a stylish, modern living room that will make people happier while staying in it and giving them a feeling of being a natural portion of the Earth.
Creating a Biophilic Oasis
With these concepts in mind, here are the changes to make your contemporary living room biophilic and a place that will benefit your health. It is essential to discourage people, especially architects, from thinking they can slap some botanicals on their building and refer to it as a biophilic design.