Biophilic decor has long been part of our shared living environment. “Since ancient times, people have brought the outside indoors, not just with potted plants, but also with fountains, trellises, and twisted natural woods like rattan,” said design historian Sarah Bilotta in an exclusive interview with House Digest. Of course, the earth-inspired foundation of the style is about more than just decorating with houseplants and furniture made from natural materials. This revived trend aims to create an interior space that feels connected to nature – as if you were lounging in an early summer garden or strolling through a sunlit forest. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why it remains so popular.
Bilotta also pointed out that our collective awareness of the impact we have on the planet is a factor contributing to the growing obsession with nature-based home decor. “As we recognize the rapid changes our planet is undergoing, I think we will love it more and more and appreciate what it can offer us – from natural woods to green houseplants,” she said. Additionally, as the emphasis on unique, biodegradable and renewable materials displaces the focus on mass-produced plastic design elements, we have more scope to shine a spotlight on our delightful design eccentricities. Prefabricated, neutral, mass-market spaces are losing the battle for our collective attention. Instead, we are inspired by the bold colors of forests, jungles and oceans.
We're not just talking about a touch of color here and there. Current design trends embrace biophilia by positively saturating spaces with a single, bold, nature-inspired color. Maybe a living room with a rich forest green on walls, trim, furniture, and even ceilings. Or a bathroom that ditches the subway tile standard in favor of a rich, turquoise color and tile combination.
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Outdoor furniture in biophilic design is trendy
Elegantly designed garden furniture on a terrace – Katarzynabialasiewicz/Getty Images
Luxurious, colorful backgrounds are also ideal for another supporting element of biophilic styling in the coming year: outdoor furniture. “In 2024, there was a total craze for rattan furniture—from rattan wingback chairs to elegant antique cane sofas,” Sarah Bilotta noted to House Digest in our exclusive conversation. “This furniture is affordable, lightweight, and can be recycled in many ways – you can probably just find a piece of rattan furniture at an antique store near you. I think the sustainability, portability and timelessness of outdoor furniture will ensure that wicker and rattan remain popular both outdoors and indoors in 2025.”
Another biophilic option is to take advantage of antique and vintage furniture decorating trends. There's nothing as sustainable and eco-friendly as something that already exists, and 2025 is expected to see a rise in personality-driven styling. Enjoy grandma's historic rattan rocking chair as a homey touch to your jewel-toned family room. Or fearlessly add the Southwestern-style ceramic pot a neighbor gave you to your bathroom “greenhouse.” These clues to your personal story bring your biophilic space to life by bringing in a different kind of external element – the story of you, your background and where you live.
Inclusion of personal data
Bedroom with natural materials, plants, lamp – Followtheflow/Shutterstock
An antique sign from the old neighborhood factory will be a unique and sustainably repurposed work of art in your light-filled kitchen. Locally sourced plants speak to the roots of your home. A designer-worthy, used lamp will add interest to a colorful bedroom. By layering – both in the context of individual style elements and broader decorating styles – you add a touch of your unique style and history to your biophilic-inspired home. In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta suggests enjoying the beautiful chaos of nature. “One of the things we love most about nature is that it is abundant and random: use this as inspiration to mix and match in a playful way,” she said. “Try a small floral-printed pillow on a larger floral-printed bedspread, or layer a smaller, printed rug over a larger, solid-colored rug.”
You can implement this style in your home by going straight to the source: Mother Nature. Involve your senses – smell, touch and sound. For example, a small solar-powered fountain brings calm to your room. Textured, natural materials like wool, rattan and linen invite you to connect through touch. Simple mirrors add more light to your home, and sheer curtains or stained glass windows instead of curtains allow more light to enter. Create a wooden accent wall or vegetable garden. Incorporate tree branches into the interior design as lights, artwork or furniture accents. Add a natural essential oil diffuser to your bathroom or attach hand-woven baskets to the wall in your bedroom. The key to creating your own biophilic-inspired space is to let your senses play and focus on bringing nature inside (and keeping it outside, too, of course).
Read the original article on House Digest.