Green Schemes : Why we are all talking about Biophilic Design

As the close of the Summer draws ever nearer, we begin to think of closing our doors and preparing our homes for a new season.  Getting cosy indoors need not mean leaving the outdoors behind. One of the biggest emerging interiors trends of the past year has been the rise of biophilic design. It’s time to bring the outside in.

Biophilic Design

Biophilia is a love of nature and the term biophilic design, currently buzzing on social media, is about introducing natural materials, colours and textures into your home environment. Our homes are the most important spaces in our lives- the places where we seek to relax and reenergise. Bringing nature into our interiors is proven to relax, calm and restore. Here we share our favourite ideas for stylishly bringing greenery into your home.

Natural Tones

Nature offers such a rich source of inspiration that decorating possibilities are endless.

From the old English word ‘Growan,’ the colour green represents growth, renewal and rebirth. From the darkest green shades of the forest floor to leafy verdant brights, the colour represents vitality, tranquility and hope. Renowned for its natural connection and ability to create calm, when introduced to the home it adds an enduring feeling of energy.

When embracing green hues, try teaming soft sages and mints with delicate pinks, or pair forest green with monochrome and metallic accents for a bold, glamorous, timeless look.

When we caught up with Licks’s creative director and colour expert, Tash Bradley, her top tips on green colour schemes included….

‘The colour psychology behind the colour green is that it is the colour of balance and harmony. When it is used in the home it instantly gives a feeling of calm and it can really help to pull the outside in. Green 02 is by far our most popular green to do this and it reflects the tones of the trees and the outdoors. Where it is very powerful is where you paint a window sill which brings the garden into your kitchen or living room. Having your eye travel through the green in the living room and out into the view really ties into biophilic styling.

Plants Galore

Blur the boundary between inside and out by investing in some statement indoor foliage. Plants are one of the most immediate and cost effective ways of bringing the outdoors into your home. Not only will they enhance the look your space, but they are known to boost your well being too.

Did you know that they reduce fatigue, help lower noise levels and even help us sleep?

Living plants help relieve stress and improve mental health, improving creativity and productivity levels. They clean the air and boost oxygen levels, creating a more relaxed environment. When it comes to interior décor, plants are much more cost effective than an expensive piece of artwork, yet just as captivating. Raise your house plants up with plant stands, creating different levels. Don’t be afraid to improvise- use a stack of books, a foot stool, or shelving to create visual depth and height to your arrangement.

A few tried and tested indoor plants include:

Kentia palm- popular since Victorian times, they are resilient in a shady corner and add interest in bathrooms.

Monstera- great for a structural, contemporary look that provides instant drama. Plant up in seagrass baskets for added natural texture.

String of pearls- Every Instagrammer’s favourite, trailing foliage is impactful on shelving where space is at a premium.

Ferns are a personal favourite. They are extremely low maintenance, with an abundance of lush foliage and they look great in Victorian homes and more traditional settings.
With a fabulous array of faux foliage available these days, even the least green fingered amongst us can cultivate a natural interior. A tip for using fake greenery is to combine it with the real thing, or upgrade your faux foliage into a rustic stoneware pot.If house plants aren’t for you, then consider dried foliage and grasses that will add earthy tones and natural pattern to your home.

Building Natural Textures

Combining outdoor inspired natural elements into our living spaces improves our connection to nature. To create the look, use different materials such as cork, stone and wood. All of these textures work well in bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and even office spaces.

Reclaimed wooden shelves or vintage crates make amazing repurposes storage boxes and look great paired with fresh cut foliage. Add another dimension to antique wooden furniture and worn leather armchairs by layering with greens. The different elements will support each other as long as they are all naturally sourced.

Botanical Print and Pattern

Wallpaper is a fail safe way to inject a little biophilia into your home. Whether it’s botanical florals or leafy greenery there is a vast array to choose from. Some of my favourites include House of Hackney’s Plantasia and Babylon prints.

Equally, large scale murals are the perfect way to introduce full height treescapes into your home. Check out Rebel Walls for some extraordinary and easy to apply wall murals (www.rebelwalls.com).

Not ready to commit to patterned wallpaper, then invest in botanical art. Some of the best examples I have found are from Copenhagen based The Dybdahl Co. (www.thedybdahl.com) Established in 1998 by Henrik Dybdahl, he uses rare images from library and museum collections around the world to inspire a range of prints that focus on the natural-world.

Foraged and Found

Finally, when building your biophilic interior remember that as with all things in the natural world, there is always seasonality. As the seasons change, I always have the urge to pick fresh wild flowers and garden foliage to bring them indoors.

If you plan to try your hand at seasonal foraging, eucalyptus has the most perfect grey green shade that looks fabulous through the icy winter months. The textural form of pinecones, dried thistles and seedheads look stunning throughout the Autumn. Dress a mantle with blousy florals through summer, or gather a vase of cow parsley foraged from the roadside in Spring. Both will add an instant light and bright seasonal update to your home.

All year round, an effective trick is to stand large branches and stand them in an oversize green hued glass or rustic stoneware vase for immediate tablescape impact.

The last word..  Remember that whilst there is lots to love about biophilic design in your home, nothing quite beats getting a blast of fresh air. Get outside and experience the real deal!.