Can biophilic design help to reduce clutter? Research demonstrates the importance of spending time outside in nature. Just thirty minutes a day, research suggests, can help improve sleep quality, boost the immune system, and reduce anxiety and stress. Many believe that this is essential to a person’s wellbeing, however, we may forget to bring this natural element inside our homes. It is now possible to bring the benefits of nature inside our homes through biophilic design.

Biophilia is the human desire or tendency to commune with nature.

Biophilic design brings this desire to be immersed in nature to receive its health benefits by blurring the boundaries between inside and outside environments. For example, we often see homes that have sliding glass doors that can blur this line as the door is opened wide to let the outsides in. Other examples are screened in porches that allow the air to flow into an eating area.

Living in nature reduces stress and improves our physical and mental health. It also increases our productivity. For these reasons, more people bring the outdoors inside with just a handful of simple home improvements.

Buy Houseplants

Buy a few, or if possible, transplant a few plants from outside into your home surroundings. Plants are a great option for bringing the outdoors inside. Houseplants are available in all shapes and sizes and fit seamlessly into your home décor and organization. If you’re a novice at caring for plants, look for those that require little to no maintenance. Varieties such as snake plants, ZZ plants, rubber plants and jade are good selections. To keep your space clutter free, consider hanging them from the ceiling, setting them on plant stands, or creating a living wall in your home with the use of wall-mounted planters. Or, if that sounds like too much work, think about an indoor garden to grow no-fuss herbs. Many herbs grow well inside. These include basil, mint, parsley, and thyme. No matter your choices, try to include a touch of the outdoors in each room to let nature flow seamlessly from room to room. Also consider mixing both natural and artificial house plants if you get overwhelmed by caring for too many plants at once.

Open the Windows

Another suggestion for bringing nature into the home without the fear of over cluttering or disturbing your organization is to open the windows. A primary focus of the biophilic design is minimizing the division between your home’s indoor and outdoor areas and spaces. You can highlight the natural light in each of your spaces by opening the blinds and avoiding heavy curtains. Some automatic blinds, for example, can be set to open upon sunrise and close later during the day. These blinds help your body rhythm by staying in sync with nature. Try to clear the obstructions from windows and natural lighting by trimming trees or plants that my block the light and view. Also, keep windows as clean as possible. Regular window cleaning, either done alone or by a professional window cleaner, will keep the sunlight shining through and the benefits of natural lighting radiating throughout your home. A final idea is to make sure clutter is kept to a minimum so that you can face your furniture toward the outside to make the most of your home’s natural sunlight and views throughout the day.

Go Green

Even if you can’t go outside every single day, you can bring the outdoors in by embracing all that biophilic design offers. For example, you can paint your walls green. Green walls provide a calming effect. You can also incorporate green into the color of your home’s textiles including pillows, blankets, and rugs. The inclusion of green adds a natural element to your home and calms the nerves. Another idea is to go green by adding Eco-friendly products in your home. This doesn’t bring nature inside, but it is a conscious effort to positively impact our natural world. You can, if you are willing to put in the effort, find a sustainable alternative to almost anything in your home.

Use Natural Scents Throughout Your Home

Nature has the most divine scents, and you can benefit both mentally and physically by incorporating the biophilic design and aromas of nature. Lavender, which is now commonly found in stores, can improve the quality of your sleep. It also has a positive effect on your mood. It can reduce pain and inflammation. It also helps decrease anxiety and depression. Other scents, such as peppermint, vanilla, pine, and jasmine, can reduce stress and increase your attentiveness. This is a good scent to choose for an office environment. Other ideas are to use essential oils that can easily bring these scents into your home. Always remember, though, to keep oil diffusers away from children and pets.

Do artificial plants have the same biophilic effect as natural plants?

Some people are allergic to plants or have a brown rather than green thumb. For this reason, they may opt to include artificial plants into their environments. To add an interesting but clutter free option, try artificial plants. Including artificial house plants not only provides an attractive, no-maintenance option, but also offers a welcoming ambience within your home. Artificial plants, too, have a positive impact on both mental and physical health. They also are less to maintain. Once purchased, there is little to do but place them in a way that brings the outdoors inside. Various properties of plants, such as how they look and feel in our homes, stimulates the senses in a positive way. Even artificial plants or trees can offer some of these important health benefits.

Sometimes as our spaces become decluttered, we feel the need to fill them up again with more. Plants, both natural and artificial, can keep a space clutter free while simultaneously providing visual interest. They also have health benefits, so including them in your home is a plus. Remember to keep your natural plants healthy and your artificial plants dust-free. They will calm your nerves and reduce any anxiety you feel after home decluttering and organization.