Biophilic Interior Design Ideas For Your Commercial Spaces

 

Bring the outside indoors by incorporating elements of nature like plants, wood, stone, and running water into your commercial spaces. Incorporating biophilic interior design in commercial spaces provide physiological benefits like reducing stress levels, elevating mood, fostering creativity, all of which lead to improvements in the experience.


Humans have a natural instinct to be connected to nature. Biophilic design is the perfect way to foster that connection.

Unique Trucks, designed by House of Form

Biophilic Design In Your Lobby Or Waiting Area

Using biophilic design elements at the first point of entry for your business creates a calm and inviting experience for customers.

Here are some biophilic interior design ideas for your lobby or waiting area:

  • Hang plants from the ceiling to help create dimension and interest at all levels

  • Use natural stone such as marble, granite, limestone, or onyx for registration desks and other tabletop surfaces that see a lot of public traffic

  • Create a “living wall” by mounting squares of moss or vines on the walls. According to the World Green Building Council, 68% of businesses that have a living wall report happier employees and stronger client relations.

  • Decorate the ceiling with hanging wood branches for a more rustic look

  • Install carpeting with irregular patterns mimicking a natural landscape like grass or slate

  • Add large planters in the seating area with tall plants that reflect the local landscape

  • Incorporate the sound of running water by installing a water feature in the waiting area

  • Allow natural light into your lobby. In the absence of natural light, use lighting in warm amber tones to resemble natural light

Image from Form Paper Co.

Biophilic Design In Your Conference Room

Adding biophilic principles to your conference rooms will inspire creativity. 

Incorporate biophilic interior design into your conference room:

  • Use a natural wood conference table for a functional design piece

  • Hang artful photos of nature landscapes

  • Add low-light plants like a snake or spider plant to the conference room

  • Install natural wood doors

  • Install a circadian lighting system that offers warm amber light tones in the morning and evening, and blue-white tones in the afternoon

  • Install living walls made from plants or moss to help remove contaminants from the air

  • Allow as much natural light in as you can, or use mirrors to reflect existing natural light to stretch it further

Cala Scottsdale, designed by House of Form

Biophilic Design In Restrooms

Restrooms are often associated with relaxation. Bring that feeling to guests in public restrooms by adding some biophilic design options to your restrooms.

Try these biophilic interior design ideas for restrooms:

  • Use natural stone like marble, granite, limestone, and onyx for countertops and sinks

  • Add small plants or vines

  • Add scented diffusers in natural scents like santal or eucalyptus

  • Use lighter earth tones to make the bathroom space naturally brighter and appear larger

  • Use natural wood like oak or cedar for stall doors

  • Use softer amber lighting that resembles a more natural light

  • Use a wallpaper that resembles plants for color and dimension

Giving Tree, designed by House of Form

Biophilic Design In Staff Break Rooms

Encourage your employee’s break time and help them recharge by adding biophilic designs to your break room or eating area

Try these natural interior design options for staff breakrooms:

  • Allow as much natural light into the space as possible or use mirrors to reflect and expand existing light

  • Install a circadian lighting system that mimics natural light 

  • Use natural stone like marble or granite for countertops

  • Hang large paintings or photos of nature

  • Add a planter in the corner of your breakroom

  • Use wood picnic tables for larger staff seating areas 

  • Use organic shapes or irregular patterns on the floor or walls

  • Add a small herb garden to the windowsill or countertop

Image from Form Paper Co.

Biophilic Design In Individual Workspaces

Bringing biophilic design into individual workspaces will reduce stress and can improve employee satisfaction.

Consider these biophilic interior design ideas for individual workspaces:

  • Hang photos of bright landscapes on the walls

  • Add natural wood or stone desks in offices

  • Install carpet or flooring in natural earth tones and irregular shapes 

  • Add plants like Peace Lily, English Ivy, Snake Plants, Bamboo, or Chrysanthemums that improve air quality

  • Improve private conversation by implementing a sound masking system with recorded sounds of nature

  • Use natural tones on the walls

Protip: If adding real plants or flowers to your commercial spaces is not an option, artificial plants will add similar biophilic benefits. Add artificial plants with a pop of color closer to the ceilings, or add photos of plants and flowers to bring a biophilic touch into your workspaces.

Whether direct or indirect, biophilic interior design does more than add a beautiful aesthetic. There are proven health benefits to incorporating elements of nature into an otherwise sterile workspace. Better health means better productivity and better productivity means a better business experience for clients and staff.

 
Dala Al-Fuwaires