How to Bring Nature Into Your Home

When most of us think about updating our home, the first thing that comes to mind is how it will look. The dream kitchen. That wow view from the living room.

But as we know design is about more than appearances. It’s also about how your home supports you and how it makes you feel day to day.

You’ve probably noticed it yourself: a room filled with morning light can lift your mood in seconds. Resting your eyes on a view outside helps your mind rest and you feel calmer.

These aren’t coincidences. They’re reminders of our deep connection to nature — and how much better we feel when it’s part of our daily lives.

That’s where biophilic design comes in. You may not have heard the term, but you’ve almost certainly felt its effect. It’s about weaving the qualities of nature — light, air, views, textures, and sounds — into your home so it doesn’t just look beautiful. It actively supports your health and happiness.

In this post, I’ll explain what biophilic design is, why it matters, and share simple, practical ways to bring its benefits into your home.

What Is Biophilic Design?

At its heart, biophilic design is simple: it’s based on the idea that humans have an innate connection with nature. We feel better when we are surrounded by natural elements.

The American biologist Edward O. Wilson popularised the term biophilia in the 1980s to describe this instinctive bond.

And yet, we often forget its benefits. Most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors — a lifestyle that takes a toll on our mood, focus, energy, sleep, and stress levels.

Biophilic design aims to restores that connection, so you can experience nature’s benefits even when you’re inside.

You’ve probably felt it before. One of my most memorable experiences was in The Orchard, a lush tropical garden in the middle of Doha airport. Within minutes of being there I felt calmer and recharged — not an easy feat halfway through a 24-hour flight with kids.

In large buildings like hospitals, offices, or airports, biophilic design can make a dramatic difference. At home, the impact may feel more subtle — but it’s no less powerful. Small, thoughtful touches of nature can transform how a space supports your wellbeing.

Why Biophilic Design Matters at Home

Your home is where you recharge, rest, and spend time with the people you love. And the choices you make — from the materials to the layout and lighting design — do more than just make it look great.

Connection with nature has been shown to:

Reduce stress and lower blood pressure
Improve focus and spark creativity
Support better sleep and healthier circadian rhythms
Boost overall mood and wellbeing

I experienced this while living in a tiny apartment in Madrid. At the back of the building was a courtyard with a sprawling fig tree. In summer, its foliage filled our kitchen window. We could pick figs straight from it. In the afternoons, golden light filtered through the leaves and danced across the walls.

That simple connection with nature — right in the heart of a city — shifted everything. It tied us to the rhythm of the seasons and made the space feel alive.

These kinds of “micro-restorative” moments are what biophilic design is all about. A leafy view from a window. A breeze through cross-ventilation. Dappled light across a wall. The sound of running water in a courtyard.

Small, everyday experiences that make us feel good.

Ways to Bring Biophilic Design Into Your Home

1.Design with Light

Light changes everything. It shapes your mood, energy, and even how well you sleep.

Start with natural light:

Keep windows clear so daylight can flood in. Ideally you won’t need artificial lighting during the day.
For privacy, use sheer curtains or blinds. They soften the view without blocking the light.
Notice how the sun shifts throughout the day. A bright east-facing kitchen at breakfast feels energising. The warm winter sun in the lounge feels restorative.
Remember: direct sunlight is both a gift and a challenge. Let it stream in during cooler months. In summer, make sure that it is controlled with shading so it doesn’t overheat your home.

Then layer in artificial light:

Brighter, cooler light in the day = focus
Softer, warmer light at night = calm, winding down
Use dimmable lamps and layered lighting (task, ambient, accent) so you can adjust as needed.

Match the rhythm of the sun. Design your lighting so it supports your body’s natural clock.

2. Improve Airflow and Freshness

Fresh air clears your mind and keeps your home healthier. Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outside, and products like air fresheners may add to the problem.

Things you can do:

Open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a natural cross-breeze
Use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove excess moisture and odours
Choose low-VOC paints and finishes to cut down on hidden pollutants
On still summer days, ceiling fans can make a world of difference

A simple breeze can change how a room feels — fresher, lighter, and more alive.

3. Harness Views and Create Quiet Corners (Prospect & Refuge)

We all feel better when we have somewhere to look out and somewhere to retreat.

Prospect is about outlook. Position furniture so you can see the garden, a tree, or even just the sky. Having a view creates a sense of calm and connection. If you don’t have a view, hang artwork or photographs of natural landscapes to create points of reflexion. This has been shown to have a similar restorative effect as a view.

Refuge is about retreat. Create tucked-away nooks or quiet corners where you can read, rest, or simply pause. These spaces give a sense of safety and calm — the perfect balance to an open view.

4. Bring Nature Inside

The easiest way to bring nature into your home is with plants. Even one or two can shift the whole mood of a room.

To start with try easy-care options like:

Devil’s Ivy
Monstera
Peace Lily

If you’re renovating or updating, try to prioritise natural materials. Choose timber, natural stone, rattan, or linen etc. These add warmth and a grounded, authentic feel.

5. Use Natural Colours and Patterns

Nature’s palette has a calming effect. Think greens, soft browns, and muted blues — colours that echo trees, earth, and water.

Then layer in brighter accents, just as nature does with flowers or ripe fruit. A pop of coral, a touch of golden yellow, or a deep berry tone can bring energy without overwhelming.

Patterns matter too. Organic shapes — leaves, ripples of water, curves, spirals, fractals — draw the eye. Even in small doses, they bring a gentle rhythm of the outdoors inside.

6. Strengthen the Indoor–Outdoor Connection

For much of the year on the east coast of Australia, gardens, balconies, and courtyards feel like extra rooms of the house. The easier it is to move between indoors and out, the more natural it feels to live with the seasons.

Think about ways to blur the line between inside and outside:

Sliding or bifold doors that open wide to a deck or patio
An outdoor dining space that flows from the kitchen
A laundry or mudroom with direct access to the garden

These connections draw you outside and weave nature into daily routines. When done well, the transition between indoors and outdoors feels almost seamless.

7. Engage the Senses

Design isn’t just what you see — it’s also about what you hear, smell, and touch.

The sound of water trickling from a fountain or courtyard pond creates calm.
A rosemary bush planted by the front door releases its fragrance as you brush past.
Beeswax candles give off a gentle honeyed scent while they glow softly on the table.

These small sensory cues help you slow down. They remind you to breathe and feel more present in your home.

Common Challenges & Misconceptions

“I don’t have a green thumb.”
Biophilic design isn’t just about plants (though many are easier than you think). It’s also about light, air, views, textures, and sensory richness.

“It sounds expensive.”
It doesn’t have to be. Some of the most effective changes — opening windows for a breeze, adding a warm-glow lamp, or introducing indoor plants — cost very little. It’s about aligning your goals with your budget.

“It sounds abstract.”
Biophilic design is practical. It’s the sunlight across your kitchen wall. The sound of water in a courtyard. The comfort of a tucked-away corner. These everyday experiences remind us that design is about how a home feels as much as how it looks.

Looking Ahead: Biophilia & Healthy Homes

Biophilic design isn’t a trend. It’s part of a bigger movement toward healthier, more sustainable homes. And it’s not just about beauty — it’s about measurable wellbeing.

Here in NSW, we’re lucky. Our climate and landscape naturally invite us outdoors. Verandahs, breezy gardens, and leafy courtyards are already part of our way of living. With a few thoughtful updates, our homes can support us even more — not just today, but well into the future.

The good news is that Biophilic design doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about weaving natural light, air, colour, texture, and sensory experiences into daily life so that our homes feel calmer, more grounded, and more alive.

Start small. Open the windows. Place a pot of Devil’s Ivy on a shelf. Choose linen over synthetics, timber over plastic. Over time, these little changes add up to a home that feels more supportive and connected.

I’m not a “biophilic designer.” But I do believe we can all learn from its philosophy: design isn’t only about how a home looks — it’s about how it makes us feel.

And if you’d like to bring these ideas into a renovation or redesign, that’s where I can help. Together, we can create a home that’s not just beautiful, but healthier, calmer, and ready to support you for years to come.