Over the years, I’ve learned something fundamental: the spaces we shape—our homes, workplaces, and public environments—shape us in return. Whether it’s in my work building wellness brands, collaborating with neuroscientists, or walking alongside leaders focused on resilience, one truth remains constant: we thrive when we feel connected to nature.
In recent years, many of us have become more aware of that need. As our routines shifted indoors, and screens began to dominate, a quiet craving surfaced—a desire for sunlight, greenery, and the calming presence of the outdoors.
This longing isn’t accidental. It’s biological.
What Is Biophilia?
The term biophilia refers to our innate bond with the living world. Literally meaning “love of life,” biophilia describes the human tendency to seek out and feel restored by natural environments. It’s why walking in the woods lifts your spirits, why natural light brightens your mood, and why greenery in a room immediately makes it feel more alive.
But as urbanization has evolved, modern design often distances us from these essential connections. Buildings became boxes. Cities expanded without space for trees. Natural materials gave way to synthetic finishes. Yet, this relationship with nature—deeply wired into us—remains, waiting to be reawakened.
What Is Biophilic Design?
Biophilic design is the thoughtful process of bringing nature’s presence back into our built environments—whether at home, in the workplace, or in shared community spaces. It’s about more than just adding plants or a few green accents. It’s a holistic approach that incorporates natural elements, patterns, light, and textures to create spaces that nourish well-being.
And the benefits are clear. A growing body of research supports what we intuitively know: environments enriched with natural elements help reduce stress, boost cognitive function, and improve mood.
A 2020 study published in Frontiers in Psychology, for example, found that exposure to indoor plants significantly lowers both psychological and physiological stress levels.
Biophilic design doesn’t just change how a room looks—it changes how it feels, how we engage, and how we thrive.
Core Principles of Biophilic Design
Bringing nature indoors involves weaving together a variety of sensory and material elements. These guiding principles often include:
- Direct connections to nature: Incorporating greenery, natural light, fresh air, water features, or views of the outdoors.
- Natural materials and forms: Using wood, stone, natural fabrics, and patterns inspired by the organic shapes found in nature.
- Soft, curved lines: Favoring gentle forms over harsh angles—mirroring the irregular, calming flow of the natural world.
- Sustainability and longevity: Choosing pieces and materials that are responsibly sourced, reusable, and reduce waste.
Together, these elements form environments that support both personal well-being and a deeper connection to the planet.
Why Biophilic Design Is More Relevant Than Ever
In recent years, interest in biophilic design has surged. It’s not hard to understand why. After months (and for some, years) of living and working in the same confined spaces, the value of sunlight, fresh air, and natural surroundings feels more pressing. Wellness, sustainability, and intentional living have taken center stage.
But biophilic design offers something deeper: it restores a relationship that modern life too often strips away. It reminds us, daily, of our place within a larger living system—a relationship that not only benefits us individually but fosters collective care for the environment.
Simple Ways to Bring Biophilic Design Into Your Home
You don’t need to completely redesign your space to experience the benefits of biophilic design. Small, intentional choices can make a profound difference:
- Maximize natural light by adjusting furniture placement and using reflective surfaces.
- Add greenery or living plants—whether potted plants, a small vertical garden, or fresh flowers.
- Choose natural materials like wood, stone, or woven fibers.
- Select soft shapes and rounded furniture forms that echo the organic flow of the outdoors.
- Use calming, earthy color palettes to create a grounded, peaceful atmosphere.
Each of these simple steps helps turn your home into more than just a place to live—it becomes a space that restores, supports, and reconnects you to the natural world. Over time, these intentional choices can transform not just your environment, but how you feel within it.
How CORT Furniture Rental Supports Biophilic Living
For those looking to incorporate biophilic principles in a way that’s practical, flexible, and sustainable, CORT Furniture Rental offers thoughtful solutions. Their curated collections make it easy to bring nature-inspired elements into your home—without the need to source, purchase, and maintain every piece yourself.
Many of their pieces incorporate soft shapes, natural color palettes, and materials selected to create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere—aligned with biophilic principles. Their circular business model prioritizes sustainability by keeping furniture in circulation longer—through rental, refurbishment, and reuse—reducing waste and environmental impact. Each item is meticulously maintained through the CORT Clean Certified™ process, ensuring both cleanliness and quality, so you can feel confident in creating a healthy home environment.
For individuals seeking a balance of wellness, style, and responsibility, this approach offers simplicity without compromise.
Designing for Connection and Well-Being
At its core, biophilic design is about remembering that well-being is not separate from the world around us—it’s rooted in it. The spaces we create, and how we furnish them, reflect our values: calm, balance, sustainability, connection.
Whether you’re looking to make small, meaningful changes or completely rethink your space, biophilic principles offer an accessible starting point. Each choice—whether it’s adding greenery, selecting more natural materials, or partnering with companies committed to thoughtful, sustainable design—is a step toward reconnecting with what matters most.
If you’re ready to explore nature-inspired interiors, the Jennifer Walsh Biophilic Collection at CORT is a curated place to begin
