Plant power

Which interior design trend boosts wellbeing, and benefits productivity and creativity?

Biophilic design isn’t just the interior trend of the moment – it’s a much needed design movement. Google shows that US searches for biophilic design over recent years seemed to peak sharply around the beginning of pandemic lockdowns.

The stress of the pandemic spotlighted the importance of good mental and physical wellbeing while living and working indoors or returning to the office. It’s easy to understand why seeking comfort through a connection with nature resonates with people. And this form of comfort has a name: biophilia.

Interior design brand Hovia discusses the vital benefits of biophilia, and its customers’ preference for nature-inspired wallpapers.

What is biophilic design?

It’s an architectural and interior design strategy based on the idea of biophilia. Simply bringing plant life into an indoor office space can boost wellbeing by 47 per cent, creativity by 45 per cent and productivity by 38 per cent.

But biophilic design isn’t limited to plants, and the benefits don’t stop there. In his book ‘Design a Healthy Home’, biophilic design expert Oliver Heath breaks down the three core principles of the approach:

1. Nature in the space

Bringing real forms of nature and ways to connect to natural systems into your space.

2. Natural analogues

Including references to nature, taking inspiration from its forms, shapes, colors, patterns and textures, and even the way technology can copy them.

3. Nature of the space

Mimicking the spatial qualities of natural environments to enhance or evoke human responses. This could be as simple as creating safe spaces for retreat or configuring your space to allow for longer sight lines.

Benefits of biophilic design

And how to achieve them in a home or office space:

Helping out our circadian rhythms and happiness

■ Make the most of the day by letting sunlight flood in as much as possible. In the office, turn off florescent lights and let day light in through windows. Living with natural light positively affects our circadian rhythm, productivity, mood, and sleep.

Reducing our cortisol levels, allowing better recovery from stress

■ The cognitive benefits of being in nature are well known and wellstudied. You can also add elements that remind you of nature to your indoor space to get the same benefits, including improved focus, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders.

Improving your wellbeing and effectiveness at work

■ Research into workplace biophilic design shows that it makes us more creative, energised and productive. We’re also less likely to take sick days. In your office or home desk room, get a good view out the window, let in the daylight, and add plant life to naturally make the air more humid.

Better sleep, temperature regulation, and relaxation

■ Create total darkness in the bedroom while you sleep to aid your body clock with shutters or blackout curtains. Use a quiet fan and a wool duvet to prevent overheating at night, and create a bedtime ritual - like listening to nature sounds and going to bed at the same time each night.

The role of wallpaper

The team behind wallpaper brand and design studio Hovia has always been interested in biophilic design, and they’ve observed how it plays a part in their customers’ choices.

In a recent press release on nature’s effect on mental health, Hovia referenced studies that show viewing photos of nature can improve peoples’ moods and make it easier to recover from stress.