7 Ways to Incorporate Biophilic Design in Your Office Space

There’s nothing quite like working in an office that makes you feel inspired. One of the best ways to do this is to follow biophilic design.

Working in a drab, lifeless office can suck the energy out of you. Day after day, you’re stuck in that dull box with fluorescent lights buzzing away as you desperately try to stay focused. But what if I told you there’s a way to breathe some life into that stale environment through biophilic design.

Don’t worry, this renovation is not as complicated as it sounds. It’s all about incorporating natural elements into your workspace – bringing the outdoors, indoors. Because at the end of the day, humans have an innate need to be connected with nature.

The best part is that going biophilic doesn’t just benefit you. It can boost productivity and creativity for your whole team – definitely a win-win. Plus, it shows that you care about cultivating a healthy workspace.

Let’s start with the basics – what even is biophilic design? This is an approach to architecture that aims to connect peeps with the natural environment. The term “biophilia” literally means love of nature, and it refers to the inherent human tendency to feel drawn towards living things and natural elements.

The core idea behind biophilic design is that incorporating plants, natural materials, patterns and other nature-inspired elements into spaces will let you reap a bunch of benefits – both physical and mental.

That said, biophilic design is about more than just sticking a few potted plants around the office. It’s a holistic approach that creates spaces that feel deeply connected to the natural world. The goal is to allow us urban dwellers to maintain that innate human-nature connection.

This concept has actually been around for decades, but it’s only gained major traction in recent years as people have become more environmentally conscious. Companies and designers are increasingly recognising the importance of creating workspaces that support employee wellbeing.

One of the easiest ways to breathe life into your office is adopting some leafy air-purifying companion. Even a few well-placed potted plants can work wonders for your desk situation. Go for low-maintenance picks like snake plant if you’re worried about keeping them alive or get creative with a plants in varying sizes and pots. Just don’t go too crazy – you still need space to work amongst the greenery.

Lucky enough to have any control over the materials/furnishings? You could replace that basic filing cabinet with a stylish rattan piece. You can also get a rustic reclaimed wood desk or even incorporate some pebble/stone accents. These earthy elements provide way more visual and tactile interest than synthetic stuff.

Let in as much natural light as humanly possible. Move your desk closer to a window and open those blinds all the way to get yourself a sunny nook or reading corner bathed in glorious vitamin D. Bonus points if you can catch some scenic nature views while you’re at it.

This one might seem a bit out there but adding water elements to your space can be a power move. The gentle trickles and ripples have a calming effect that’ll help you stay zen even on the most hectic days. Avoid anything too high-maintenance that’ll have you stressing more than it’s worth.

Accent an empty wall with a large-scale print of some rolling hills. You can also create a whole nature-inspired gallery wall with an eclectic mix of smaller pieces. Instead of staring at those drab office walls, you’ll get to feast your eyes on Mother Nature’s splendour.

This one’s all about those little decorative touches that can amplify the natural vibes. Think about incorporating accent pieces made from raw materials. You can also lean into organic shapes and patterns. These subtle visual cues provide a reminder to embrace life’s imperfections and stay connected to our earthly roots.

Engaging the sense of smell is another awesome way to strengthen connection with nature. You could use an essential oil diffuser to waft soothing aromas throughout your workspace or take the low-tech route with fragrant floral bouquets. The natural scents can be surprisingly impactful.

One of the biggest draws of biophilic design is the potential health perks. Studies have shown that increasing our connection to nature can lower stress hormone levels and even boost moods. By greening up your workspace, you could actually end up happier at work.

Feeling stuffy and congested at the office is the worst. Poor indoor air quality can lead to all sorts of issues from headaches to respiratory problems. However, many biophilic elements can seriously boost air purification.

While the health benefits are great, a nature-inspired workplace can also spark major creativity. Being exposed to those organic shapes, patterns, and soothing elements has been shown to increase innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Part of what makes biophilic design so impactful is how it engages multiple senses. Stimulating all these senses simultaneously cultivates a deeply immersive experience that’s grounding.

Beyond the human perks, going biophilic can benefit the planet too. Incorporating natural materials/elements means relying less on synthetic resources in construction and furnishings. And by prioritising things like ample natural light, you’re conserving energy usage.

Incorporating biophilic design into your workspace is one of the simplest (and most affordable) ways to seriously level up your office experience. The best part? You don’t need an unlimited office budget to make it happen. With a bit of strategic planning and Greeen, that ideal biophilic sanctuary is totally doable.