Ever wonder why that morning walk through the park feels so restorative? Or why you naturally gravitate toward that café with all the plants and natural light? There’s science behind those feelings—and a design philosophy that can help you bring those same sensations into your everyday spaces.
We talk a lot about biophilic design here at Oakland Green Interiors, but what does it actually look like in practice? How do you take those calm, centering moments you find in nature and weave them into your living room, office, or favorite coffee shop?
The answer lies in understanding the 14 elements of biophilic design—a framework that breaks down exactly how we can use natural elements to create spaces where people feel recharged, focused, and genuinely at ease.
The Foundation: Direct Connection with Nature
These first seven elements are about bringing actual nature into our spaces—the real deal, not just pictures of trees.
1. Visual Connection with Nature Think about that window view of your garden, or the living wall in your office lobby. When we can see nature—even through glass—our stress levels drop and our ability to focus improves. It’s as simple as positioning your desk near a window or adding plants where you’ll see them throughout the day.
2. Non-Visual Connection with Nature This is about engaging your other senses. The sound of a small fountain, the scent of herbs on a windowsill, the texture of a rough-hewn wooden table. These subtle connections remind our bodies that we’re part of the natural world, even when we’re inside.
3. Non-Rhythmic Sensory Stimuli Nature is full of pleasant surprises—a butterfly landing nearby, leaves rustling in an unexpected breeze. In our designed spaces, this might be the gentle, irregular movement of plants swaying near an air vent, or the changing play of sunlight through branches outside your window.
4. Thermal & Airflow Variability Remember how good it feels when a cool breeze hits you on a warm day? Static, controlled environments can feel sterile. Gentle variations in temperature and airflow—like natural ventilation or a ceiling fan that creates a light breeze—help us feel more connected and comfortable.
5. Presence of Water Water is deeply calming to humans. This could be as simple as a small tabletop fountain, as dramatic as a wall-mounted water feature, or as subtle as a vase of fresh flowers that gets refreshed weekly. The key is incorporating water as a living, changing element.
6. Dynamic & Diffuse Light Harsh fluorescent lights feel nothing like the golden hour. Natural light that changes throughout the day, dimmable fixtures, and lights that mimic natural rhythms help regulate our circadian rhythms and simply feel more comfortable.
7. Connection with Natural Systems This is about understanding and celebrating the seasons, weather patterns, and natural cycles. It might mean having plants that bloom at different times of year, or arranging furniture to take advantage of winter sun angles.
The Bridge: Indirect Connection with Nature
Sometimes we can’t have the real thing, but we can evoke nature through materials, patterns, and design choices that feel familiar to our human brains.
8. Biomorphic Forms & Patterns Nature doesn’t do straight lines and perfect right angles. Incorporating curves, spirals, and organic shapes—think a curved staircase, rounded furniture, or wallpaper with flowing patterns—creates spaces that feel more natural and less rigid.
9. Material Connection with Nature This is where natural materials shine: reclaimed wood, stone countertops, woven grass rugs, clay pottery. These materials age beautifully and carry stories, connecting us to the natural processes that created them.
10. Complexity & Order Nature has this perfect balance of being complex enough to be interesting, but ordered enough to feel peaceful. Think about the branching pattern of a tree or the spiral of a nautilus shell. In design, this might be a bookshelf arrangement that has variety but still feels organized, or a garden that has structure but room for plants to express their natural growth patterns.
The Structure: Spatial Configuration
These final elements are about how we arrange and move through spaces—creating environments that feel safe, interesting, and human-scaled.
11. Prospect We humans like to be able to see what’s coming. In design terms, this means creating sight lines, open views, and spaces where you can survey your surroundings. Think about that café table where you can see the whole room, or a living room arrangement where you have a clear view to entryways.
12. Refuge Just as important as prospect is refuge—having places to retreat, to feel protected and cozy. This might be a reading nook with high sides, a booth at a restaurant, or simply a chair positioned with its back to a solid wall.
13. Mystery A little mystery keeps things interesting and draws us forward. In nature, this might be a path that curves out of sight. In our designed spaces, it could be a hallway that turns a corner, a partially obscured garden view, or built-ins that reveal different elements as you move through the space.
14. Risk/Peril This might sound intense, but it’s really about controlled excitement—the thrill that comes with being up high, near water, or in a space that feels slightly adventurous but ultimately safe. A balcony with a view, a loft space, or even just a large window that makes you feel connected to the outdoors can provide this element.
Putting It All Together
Here’s the thing about biophilic design: you don’t need to check every box to create a space that feels naturally restorative. Start with what calls to you or what budget allows. Maybe it’s adding plants near your workspace (visual connection with nature), or swapping out harsh overhead lighting for table lamps with warm bulbs (dynamic light).
The goal isn’t to turn your office into a forest—it’s to create intentional moments where your nervous system can downshift, where you can catch your breath, and where the bright whispers of nature can find their way into your daily rhythm.
Because while every day can’t be a walk in the woods, we can absolutely make choices that bring the essence of those woods—the calm, the beauty, the sense of being part of something larger—into the spaces where we live and work every day.
Ready to explore how biophilic design could transform your space? We’d love to help you discover which of these elements resonates most with your lifestyle and goals. Join us in celebrating the beauty and wellness benefits of bringing nature indoors!
