Exploring Ideas For A Biophilic Home Design

23 December 2023

Biophilic design has become a popular global interior design trend. Pinterest Business reported a 100% increase in searches for “biophilic design bedroom” between 2019 and 2021.

This design approach is rooted in biophilia, humans’ innate affinity with the natural world.

Moreover, it has practical applications in design. Research indicates that it can positively affect productivity and well-being.

For instance, a study showed that people spent 11% more time in biophilic-inspired hotel lobbies.

Similarly, schools in Washington State saw a 5% increase in student test scores and a 15% reduction in absenteeism with a biophilic design approach.

Let us explore what interior designers suggest for a biophilic home and ideas that you must explore!

Understanding Biophilic Home Designs

The modern world of technology has taken a new direction towards nature. Robotics, AI, and the Internet of Things (IOT) have caused urban architects to incorporate biophilic designs.

These designs involve greenery and natural elements. It helps to improve air quality, airflow, circadian rhythm, heart rate, and human health.

Biophilic designs stimulate visual connection and enhance the multi-sensory experience using indoor plants and natural patterns.

Stephen Kellert and Edward O. Wilson, who founded biophilic designs, have made nature feel more accessible at home. He incorporates plants, sunlight, natural materials, and fresh air.

How To Make Your Home Biophilic?

Given below are the different aspects that you can add to your home for a biophilic design—

Add Plenty Of Greens

Integrating plants into your interior design can create a natural and inviting ambiance. Adding greens helps enhance the aesthetic aspects of a biophilic home, ensuring a calming environment. Moreover, indoor plants help purify the air inside your home.

However, this does not necessarily mean you must go overboard and transform your home into a tropical paradise.

You can opt for potted plants, hanging baskets, or even a simple vase with fresh-cut flowers. Match your live elements with the color scheme of your decor. Most home designing experts advise you to get more succulents for your home. These plants require less watering but look amazing in every setting.

Alternatively, nature-inspired artwork, botanical prints, or murals can bring the outdoors in.

The idea is to create a synergy between the artificial environment and the natural world. This home design can positively impact your mood, health, and well-being.

Therefore, incorporating natural elements into your interior design can create a more harmonious and balanced living. This biophilic element can be functional and beautiful at the same time.

Enable Natural Lighting

Incorporating natural light into interior spaces has numerous benefits.

Biophilic design emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. Therefore, it prioritizes light and space to create a healthier, harmonizing, and more comfortable environment.

Biophilic home designs use different components of warmth and sunlight. Natural light can blend the boundaries between the interior and exterior of a space.

For instance, large windows and skylights can allow sunlight to stream in, making a space more open and inviting.

Additionally, glass roofs and walls allow you to save electricity with natural lighting during the daytime.

If you can reduce your exposure to artificial lighting, you say goodbye to stress and fatigue. It helps invigorate the body and mind.

Therefore, we can design spaces incorporating biophilic principles to improve our well-being and strengthen our connection to nature. It creates spaces that promote well-being and encourage a greater appreciation for the natural world.

Use Organic Decor Items

Biophilic design is a concept that aims to connect people with nature by incorporating natural elements into the built environment.

To create a peaceful atmosphere and promote a sense of well-being in your home, incorporate natural materials like leather, wood, and stone for your decor items. This brings a natural touch to the textures, colors, and forms around your home.

Furthermore, using subdued and organic color schemes can also help to enhance the calming and stress-reducing properties of biophilic design. Handcraft your decor with jute ropes,

Therefore, you can create an affordable and easy-to-maintain space with these decor items. That is aesthetically pleasing and enhances your physical and mental health.

Maintain The Patio

Biophilia is an evolutionary concept that suggests humans have an innate affinity for nature. This idea is gaining traction in outdoor architecture and design as well.

Biophilic design is a concept that aims to create a connection with nature and its resources. To achieve this in your outdoor space, you can incorporate some major additions like the following:

Eco-friendly composite decking.
Vertical gardens.
Green screens in small spaces.

Native plants can help support wildlife and blur the boundaries between the territory and nature. Therefore, it is essential to consider factors such as sunlight exposure and irrigation when selecting plant species for your patio.

Furthermore, incorporating water elements like fountains or cascades can help create a tranquil atmosphere.

It is also important to choose outdoor furniture inspired by nature instead of plastic. Install fire pits made of natural materials like stone or metal. This can help create a comfortable and inviting outdoor biophilic space.

Let The Air Flow

Achieving a biophilic home design involves paying attention to the air circulation within each room.

You can start by determining the direction of the wind around your home. Next, open your windows accordingly to facilitate the flow of fresh air.

Additionally, you can enhance the airflow in your home by ensuring that your rooms are spacious and free of clutter.

Consider using furniture that provides ample storage space to keep your rooms organized and uncluttered. This allows the air to circulate freely throughout your home.

By creating a well-ventilated and spacious environment, you can enhance the biophilic design of your home. Therefore, bring nature indoors and improve your overall well-being.

Add Water Features

Adding water features like cascades, fountains, or reflecting pools to your outdoor space can incorporate a biophilic design. It helps create a serene atmosphere.

The sound and sight of water can instantly transport you to nature and induce a feeling of tranquility and relaxation.

You can go for a small pond or stream in your backyard if you have a generous budget. This addition can create a more natural and immersive experience.

However, a small water fountain in your garden, patio, or deck can do the trick if you prefer a simpler option.

It’s a quick and easy way to add elegance and calmness to your outdoor space!

Wrap It Up With A Fire Pit

Adding a fire pit to your outdoor space can significantly impact its ambiance and appeal.

By creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, fire pits can make your outdoor area a more comfortable and enjoyable place to spend time.

Furthermore, fire is a natural element that can uniquely evoke feelings of tranquility and connection with nature.

Therefore, incorporating a fire pit into your outdoor design can help create a biophilic environment that promotes relaxation and well-being.

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Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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8 Steps to Move in Your New House

Moving, according to many, is a stressful process. They do not even know where to begin, which makes them more anxious. Apart from direct costs, there are some hidden costs of buying a home too that you need to plan for. Read to get an insight into such costs and make your plans accordingly. If you are also planning to move, and do not know how to start, don’t worry. This article will guide you in the right direction. Following are 8 steps to move in your new house: 1. Opt for a Place to Live Look for a place that is near your workplace or your children’s school. This will reduce the hassle of traveling long distances every day. 2. Notify Your Family about Your Move Moving is a nerve-racking task, especially when it is long distances. It can be difficult for both – the adults and the children of the family. Telling the kids that they need to goodbye to their classmates and school is difficult. Therefore, you should find a way to break the news positively. 3. Hire a Mover Many people plan to move on their own. However, this takes a lot of time and effort. Therefore, it is better to hire a mover, especially the one who does not have a hidden-fee. One such company is Atlant Movers: Moving Services in Sacramento, CA. The company provides a wide range of services to move locally, long-distance, and even for piano and office moving. They securely store the stuff by packing it themselves for their customers. If you are planning to move under a budget, this company is just right for you. 4. Set up a Budget Set up a budget to keep track financially and to know how much moving can eventually cost you. 5. Start Packing up If you do your own packing, make sure you have at least 6 weeks before your moving date. A careful plan will save you a lot of money, time, and hair-tearing. 6. Pack Room by Room Start from one room. Pack the stuff completely and then go for the other room. This way, you will know how much is packed and how much is left. This will help you pack all your stuff in no time. 7. Save Money If you are like other people, you cannot resist a garage sale. No matter what the reason is, a garage sale is something that people won’t see. This way, you will make money by getting rid of the bunch you have been willing to throw for a long time. 8. Finally, You have moved in! Once the moving truck is gone and you are at your home, start unpacking the boxes. Get your mail, newspaper, magazines, and milk, all delivered to your home. Connect your telephone and broadband. Be ready to live a new life. Moving can sometimes be a difficult process. However, once you have moved into your new place, you will feel different and will enjoy the new home. So, bid a goodbye to all the hassle and just think about the wonderful experience that you will have after you have shifted. Read Also: Moving House? Here’s The Ultimate Checklist Signs That It Is Time To Sell Your House Finally Motivational Tips To Kick Start Your Packing Process For The House Move

Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2024

I have always enjoyed gardening, spending time in nature, and a general affliction towards plants. However, once professional commitments started taking up too much time, I was left with 'no time to stand and stare'. Whatever time I had left, most of it went behind work, and my plants started shriveling up. Do you relate? If this sounds relatable, then keep reading to find out what I did to change things and give my plants the time they need. Well, for starters, I started investing more in low-maintenance plants. These plants can easily thrive well under low lights and can quickly bounce back in case of one or more missed watering. So soon, I was able to spot the change! 10 Best Low Maintenance Plants To Buy In 2024: It was a discovery that I thankfully stumbled upon. It made things so much easier for the anthophilous inside me that I was motivated to write about it. If you are also planning to purchase a few low-maintenance plants, then scroll down to find out more on the same! 1. Cacti If you have long and irregular work schedules, then Cacti is probably the best low-maintenance indoor plant. Cacti plants can thrive well in light that’s natural and requires water only once every week during summer and spring. During winter and fall, you just need to water your cacti once in three weeks. Price: 18 dollars (for four) Why Do We Love It? Can be grown easily Can be cared for easily Great option as a gift 2. Air Plants Air plants are great alternatives for low maintenance plants - they do not even need soil for survival. All that you have to do in this case is dunk these plants in the water for 2 to 3 hours, once every ten days. Now is that not perfect? This is entirely doable every 10 days while you spend your afternoon sunk knee-deep in work. Price: 14 dollars (for five) Why Do We Love It? Easy to maintain Very affordable Saves time 3. Pothos Pothos is also referred to as Devil’s Ivy and is one of the best types of low-maintenance house plants. The best part? These plants can thrive well in both light and darkness. So if you keep it in your low-light cubicle, the plant will survive, and the same goes for brightly lit areas. Also, it can survive when you forget to water the plant. Price: 18 dollars (for five) Why Do We Love It? Air-purifying properties Value for money It comes in a grower’s pot 4. ZZ Plant The ZZ Plants thrive the best in brightly lit rooms, but that does not mean they cannot survive in moderate or low lights. Just like cacti, you don’t need to water them every day. Moreover, it’s a pretty sturdy plant. When you notice that the leaves are falling off, simply water it properly, and you will soon notice the plant from bouncing right back. Price: 26 dollars Why Do We Love It? Can thrive in both natural and artificial light Sturdy and durable Great option as a gift 5. Spider Plants Spider plants are pretty great options if you are looking for low-maintenance plants. These spidery plants tend to dry out in between two watering sessions. In addition, spider plants thrive pretty well under indirect light, and as a result, these plants can flourish well even inside windowless, dark offices. Price: 12 dollars Why Do We Love It? Can thrive well in both natural and artificial light. Air-purifying properties. Great option as a gift for apartments, office cubicles, dorm rooms, and the like. 6. Snake Plants There are low-maintenance plants, and then there are Snake plants. These are not just great as low-maintenance outdoor potted plants but also as plants for low-lit indoor cubicles. Simply put, snake plants are great alternatives for those offices where you get just thirty minutes for grabbing your lunch - let alone watering your plants. Price: 38 dollars Why Do We Love It? Has higher carbon dioxide absorbing efficiency and releases oxygen at night. Has premium air-purifying properties. Versatile - can be planted in a pot or directly into the ground. 7. Succulents Succulents are amazing not because they can be easily maintained but mostly because it has thick leaves that store water. As a result, these plants needed to be watered once a week. Also, these thrive well in dry air and sunlight. No wonder succulents are the best low-maintenance outdoor potted plants. Price: 19 dollars (for five) Why Do We Love It? Easy to grow and maintain Very affordable Perfect for DIY or doing your home decor 8. Bamboo Considered to be a lucky plant, Bamboo needs some light for thriving. This technically means Bamboo plants are great for those cube desks at work. If anyone is starting a new job, it’s best to gift them a bamboo plant wishing them good luck. Also, these plants give any workspace a Feng Shui boost. Price: 28 dollars Why Do We Love It? Easy to grow and maintain Value for money Ideal gift for everyone You May Also Like This: 9. Peace Lily Peace lilies look beautiful, and they also happen to be very easy to grow and maintain. All you need to do is keep misting the leaves and moisturize the soil regularly. However, make sure you are not overwatering the plant, and you should keep the plant away from direct sunlight. Price: 24 dollars Why Do We Love It? Thrives in indoor light Has health benefits Easy to maintain and care for 10. Red Aglaonema Did you know that the Red Aglaonema is new and happening presently? The leaves are all reddish-pink, while the stems are pink. This low-maintenance plant simply amps your cubicle’s personality a few notches higher. Naturally, these will appear brighter in well-lit rooms, buts they can also thrive well under low light. Price: 21 dollars Why Do We Love It? Sturdy and durable Adds texture and color to different spaces Ideal for dorm or room decor 11. Dusty Miller Often called silver ragwort, this icy-looking plant can withstand shade but prefers bright light. The distinctive, silvery leaves become more green-gray in shaded areas, which is also a visually pleasing effect. Its foliage is the main attraction, though it produces small, bright yellow blooms in midsummer. 12. Ribbon Grass Because they spread easily, these variegated blades make an excellent ground cover option. They do not mind shade or sun, but they do love moisture. When planted as a border in your garden, they create a charming link between the grass and the garden. Just make sure to use your shovel to create a sharp trench to keep it from getting into your flowers. 13. Cosmos The name "cosmos" comes from the Greek word for "harmony" or "ordered universe," and Mexican priests gave these happy little flowers this name due to their perfectly arranged, uniform petals. You'll have blooms from spring into autumn because these annual flowers reseed and grow well in full sun. 14. Butterfly Bush Some of the longest-blooming shrubs are these sun-loving plants. They are drought- and insect-resistant and have a vibrant range of colors that are perfect for summer. The plants will naturally draw a large number of hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the fall season. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):- Q1. What Is The Most Low Maintenance Plant? Ans: The most low maintenance plants are,⦿ Aloe vera⦿ ZZ plant⦿ Snake plant⦿ Spider plant, and⦿ Cast-iron plant Q2. What Are The Easiest Plants To Take Care Of? Ans: The easiest plants to take care of are,⦿ Cast-iron plant⦿ Snake plant⦿ ZZ plant⦿ Spider plant⦿ Aloe Vera. Q3. What Is The Most Durable House Plant? Ans: The most durable house plants are,⦿ ZZ plant⦿ Snake plant ⦿ Chinese money plant⦿ Bromeliads⦿ Chinese Evergreen Plant. Wrapping Up: Remember that it is always a good idea to check the resources available through your local extension service, even if the plants you choose are designated for your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and the light and soil conditions of your site. By taking into account factors like wind, humidity, rainfall, and more, you can determine what grows best in your area. It's worth noting that not all plants labeled as "deer-resistant" will withstand deer damage. Are you looking for additional strategies to work in the garden more efficiently rather than more laboriously? Invest in a base of well-established evergreen shrubs; you'll be grateful for it come winter. Fast-growing vines can make a big difference for an ugly fence or garden wall without requiring a lot of work. Additionally, check out container plants and outdoor hanging plants if your garden is limited to a patio or balcony Low-maintenance plants are pretty popular presently. Mostly because they are easy to grow and maintain. So what are you waiting for? Invest in some low-maintenance plants today, and let us know which one are you buying first. Read Also: Planting & Harvesting Mint List of White Flowers in the world All You Need To Know About Resurrection Plant and its Facts

Here Is How I Stay SAFE! Top 10 Effective Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

A burglary occurs every 18 seconds in the United States. These statistics are scary! Even safe neighborhoods experience crime from time to time, so you need to be prepared. The good news is that there are several ways you can go about making your home safe. Some may require that you purchase equipment while others may not. The more you can thwart a burglar's plans the safer your home will be. Tips that will Help you to Keep your >H>ome >Safe</span> When thinking about improving overall safety, do not forget to follow the following tips. 1. Change Your Locks: Did you just buy a new home? Don’t be so excited to get the keys that you forget to change all the locks. No matter how wholesome the previous homeowners may seem, you never know who is unscrupulous and who isn’t. You also never know who they may have given a key to in the past. It could have been a distant relative, a nanny, a house cleaner, or a handyman, to name a few. The point is, you don’t know if a shady character doesn’t have a copy of the keys to your new home. The best thing to do is to hire a locksmith to change the locks. 2. Get An Alarm System: Sure, you may not want your home to feel like a high-security vault, but it is never a bad idea to be prepared for the worst. There are literally dozens of safety systems you can choose from. This makes it more likely that you will find something that is within your budget. There are also some security systems that you can install yourself. However, if you do get a high-tech security system the security company will have to install it for you. Once you have installed your security system, put a security sign in your front yard or place security signs on your windows to deter criminals. If you think that an advanced security system is something you will not be able to afford, you can always go for robust roller shutters. Roller Shutter People are leading installers in Sydney that states that installing these on windows and doors can be a simple, yet time-tested and effective way to keep burglars out of your house and maintain safety. 3. Vacation Wisely: Criminals like to target homes when people go on vacation. Protect your home when you are away by setting timers on your television and your lights. These timers make it easy for you to have your lights and your television on at specific times. When criminals think someone is home, they are deterred from committing crimes. 4. Get Smart: These days you can monitor your home from anywhere using smart security cameras. Some of these cameras are so tiny the average person might miss them, and you can control them from your smartphone or tablet. Smart lights should also be a major part of your security plan because you can turn them on or off whether you are just down the road or in another country. 5. Exercise Mail Control To Keep Your Home Safe:</strong> If you are going to be away for a while, then it is usually a good idea to get a friend or neighbor to take your mail and any delivered packages off your front porch at least once per day. If your front porch or doorway is flooded with mail, it is a dead giveaway to criminals that no one is home. You can also go to your local post office in Gainesville FL and explain that you will be away for a while and ask them to hold all your mail. 6. Rethink Your Landscape : Did you know that the landscape edging of your home can either deter or attract criminals? Overgrown bushes and untrimmed hedges can provide places for thieves to hide so that neighbors and passersby cannot spot them. Trim bushes and hedges to at least three feet in height. Plant thorny bushes near your windows with gravel nearby so that it is easier to hear footsteps. The more you can make it difficult for criminals to gain entry, the more secure your home will be. 7. Motion Detector Lighting: Motion detector lighting shines the spotlight brightly on anyone who may try to get onto your premises. As soon as an intruder moves so does the light. You should install motion detector lights at the back and the front of your home, for added protection you can add them to the sides as well. One of the many benefits of this kind of lighting is that it saves energy since it is only activated when it detects motion. 8. Get A Video Doorbell: You can get a video doorbell to keep your home secure. A video doorbell will let you see who is at your door before you open it. Astonishingly enough, many thieves ring your doorbell to get a feel for who is home or not before attempting a burglary. A doorbell camera will give you the upper hand should a thief decide to rob you. Installing Rodann door chimes is also another security feature you can use. The chimes will alert you when anyone is within a certain distance from your door. 9. Get A Dog: With all the high-tech security systems mentioned so far, getting a dog may seem like a low-tech way to safeguard your home from intruders. However, if you can get a dog then do so, since burglars tend to avoid homes with dogs. When a thief wants to rob a home, they want to be in and out as quickly as possible, and a barking dog attracts too much attention and is an unnecessary complication. 10. Watch What You Post On Social Media: Social media has become a place where you can share the daily happenings of your life with family, friends, and neighbors. However, if you go on vacation or are away for a weekend, it is not a good idea to announce your absence from home on social media. This is especially true if you don’t know everyone in your network. Announcing you are away and posting pictures of your getaway is an announcement for anyone with bad intentions. Literally telling them that you will be far away , and they should break into your home. Top Safety Measures in a Rented Place New job, and new rented house! Everything is exciting about such a prospect, but how to ensure the utmost safety in a new place & home. Moving into a new rented apartment can be an exciting time with new opportunities and a fresh start in life. While you are excitedly packing and planning, taking stock of your security is essential when moving into another person’s property. Here are seven safety tips to keep you safe during this transition. Locks Don’t forget to lock all the doors on your first day of entering your new home or apartment. Additionally, never assume that previous tenants have returned all sets of keys. So, if needed, get the locks changed upon consulting with your landlord. Smoke Detectors Next, test the smoke detectors. You might assume they work, but never leave this to chance. Press the test button on each detector to ensure they function properly. If you don’t hear a sound, replace the batteries or request your landlord to do so. Safety from fire hazards is non-negotiable. Carbon Monoxide Detectors While you’re at it, check for carbon monoxide detectors, too. Not all places have them installed, but they’re lifesavers—literally. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, and having a detector can alert you to any dangerous leaks. Consider purchasing a portable unit if your new home doesn’t have one. Check Windows Another important thing to do is to check the windows. They should open and close easily. You will also want to ensure that they have locks on them as well. In case of an emergency, such as a fire, you will need a quick and easy way out of your apartment. If you live on the ground floor, being able to lock your windows is important for safety reasons. Lighting your Outside You should also make sure that everything outside the apartment is well-lit. If something seems too dim or amiss, then tell your landlord about this right away. If there are any lights outside, ask your landlord to replace them or put in some more lights. These include spotlights upon entrances or even motion sensor lights around corners. Know your Area Finally, get to know your surroundings. Spend some time walking around, getting acclimated with the neighborhood, and pinpointing any places that might not seem safe, specifically at night. Get to know your neighbors, as they can give you the lowdown on both the area and potential safety issues. By doing these in the process of moving, your new rental will truly be a sweet home right off the bat. So you’ll feel better about unpacking those piles of boxes. Hopefully these tips will help you feel more secure in your new place! If you would like more lifestyle tips, please visit our website. You are sure to find helpful tips for making your life better. Read Also : 5 Tips To Safeguard Your Home From Intruders 5 Ways A Home Maintenance Plan Can Prevent Disaster Relax In Style In The Comfort Of Your Homes

Exploring Ideas For A Biophilic Home Design

Understanding Biophilic Home Designs