When was the last time you felt genuinely at ease; perhaps walking through a forest, watching waves roll in, or simply letting a breeze pass through an open window? These moments calm us for a reason. Humans evolved in direct contact with nature, and our minds and bodies are still biologically attuned to its presence. Yet today, according to the National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), most people in developed countries spend up to 90% of their time indoors, disconnected from the natural world and surrounded by artificial light, screens, and sealed-off spaces that often work against our wellbeing.

Biophilic design is a response to this disconnect. It’s about designing spaces that actively support human health by incorporating natural elements such as light, texture, plants, organic forms, and materials, into the built environment. This isn’t just about filling rooms with foliage, but about creating environments that feel alive, restorative, and intuitively comfortable.

In commercial interiors, from office spaces to retail and hospitality settings, biophilic design is fast becoming a sought after feature. But it’s not just a trend; it’s a practical, research-backed approach to improving how spaces function and how people feel within them. Today, with long-lasting, low-maintenance solutions like preserved botanical walls and long-lasting preserved moss installations, it’s easier than ever to build sustainable, visually striking interiors that foster a genuine connection to nature.

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design is a human-centered approach to creating environments that restore our connection to the natural world. Coined by biologist Edward O. Wilson and expanded by theorist Stephen R. Kellert, the term “biophilia” describes our deep-rooted need to affiliate with nature, a bond shaped by millions of years of evolution.

This design philosophy integrates natural materials, light, patterns, and forms in a way that supports how people feel and function. In modern interiors, this might include greenery, water features, organic textures, or the use of daylight to evoke the sensory richness of outdoor scapes. The goal isn’t decoration, but to cultivate spaces that feel alive, spaces that encourage focus, reduce fatigue, and support long-term wellness.

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The Importance of Biophilic Design

Decades of interdisciplinary research in environmental psychology, healthcare, and workplace design have shown that incorporating natural elements into interior environments can deliver measurable benefits. Biophilic design is more than a visual trend, it’s a strategy for improving how people feel, think, and perform in the spaces they inhabit.

Some of the measurable benefits include:

  • Reduced stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue.
  • Improved sleep and regulation of circadian rhythms.
  • Enhanced concentration, memory, and cognitive performance.
  • Increased creativity and problem-solving capacity.
  • Lower rates of absenteeism and burnout in the workplace.
  • Greater emotional attachment, satisfaction, and comfort in interior spaces.

These effects have been found to be noticeable not only from adding plants or sunlight, but from creating environments that align with our biological preferences with spaces that mimic natural patterns, use organic materials, and foster sensory richness. Regardless of the setting, spaces designed with biophilic principles consistently outperform conventional designs in terms of wellbeing, engagement, and functionality. They don’t just look good, they help people thrive.

The 6 Core Principles of Biophilic Design

To move beyond surface-level aesthetics, authentic biophilic design must follow foundational principles rooted in how humans interact with nature. Synthesizing insights from thought leaders like Stephen Keller, these six principles form the blueprint for designing environments that truly support human wellbeing.

  1. Direct Connection with Nature
    Natural elements like sunlight, vegetation, water, and fresh air are not decorative accents, they’re essential. Incorporating features such as skylights, operable windows, green walls, indoor gardens, or flowing water supports sensory engagement and physiological restoration.
  2. Natural Shapes and Forms
    Design should reflect the geometry of the natural world. Curves, arches, spirals, and fractal patterns can be seen in tree branches, coastlines, and riverbeds. When echoed in architecture and interiors, these organic forms create more intuitive, comfortable spaces.
  3. Natural Patterns and Processes
    Spaces that reference natural rhythms, such as weather, aging, or seasonal changes, evoke a deeper connection to time and place. Textures like weathered stone, exposed grain, or shifting plant colour can subtly reflect life’s ongoing cycles and transitions.
  4. Integrated, Not Isolated
    Biophilic design works best when nature is embedded into the entire spatial experience. Rather than a single plant on a shelf, the goal is a cohesive system where natural materials, lighting, textures, and spatial flow all work together to create a unified, immersive environment.
  5. Repeated and Sustained Contact
    The impact of nature grows over time. Biophilic spaces should support ongoing, everyday interaction with natural features, not just a one-time impression. This might include views of greenery from every workstation or a layout that encourages movement through plant-filled zones.
  6. Emotional Connection to Place
    Truly successful biophilic design fosters feelings of belonging, affection, and care. When people feel emotionally connected to a space through beauty, memory, or a sense of awe, they’re more likely to nurture it and feel well within it. This emotional resonance is at the heart of biophilic design’s long-term impact.

How Biophilic Design Applies Today

Biophilic design isn’t reserved for high-end developments or cutting-edge architecture, it’s a flexible, scalable approach that can be adapted to any context, from small offices to cosy apartments. Whether you’re renovating a workspace, refreshing your flat, or rethinking urban policy, biophilic concepts provide accessible, impactful strategies for enhancing wellbeing.

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At Work

Workplace environments thrive when they integrate natural light, greenery, and sensory-rich elements. Exposure to views of nature can boost alertness and reduce fatigue, while materials like wool, bamboo, and felt introduce warmth and texture. Consider creating quiet corners with soft lighting and surrounding plants, or using acoustic panels that mimic organic patterns like leaves or tree bark. Even adding a living wall or placing desks near operable windows can foster a calmer, more productive environment.

At Home

Our homes should restore us, and biophilia can help them do exactly that. Start by maximizing access to daylight. Open blinds, rearrange furniture to face windows, and create window gardens or plant-filled balconies. Choose furnishings made from natural materials like stone, linen, rattan, or reclaimed wood. And remember, connection to nature doesn’t have to be static.

In Cities

Urban settings benefit enormously from biophilic planning. Nature should be seen as a vital infrastructure component. Tree-lined streets and green roofs help regulate temperature and clean the air. Parks, wetlands, and green corridors enhance biodiversity and offer restorative spaces for people. Even modest additions like pocket gardens or vertical greenery can dramatically improve the livability of dense cityscapes.

A great example is Liuzhou Forest City in China, designed by Stefano Boeri. This incredible urban plan is expected to absorb 10,000 tons of CO₂ annually, filter pollutants, and produce 900 tons of oxygen, which is a literal breath of fresh air for one of the world’s fastest-urbanising regions.

Start Where You Are

Biophilic design isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention. No matter your budget or square footage, small changes can create a big impact:

  • Create a preserved moss bowl for the coffee table, bring in houseplants, or nature-inspired artwork.
  • Use natural materials like branches, reclaimed wood, cork, or clay.
  • Incorporate scents like pine, lavender, or citrus through essential oils or diffusers.
  • Play ambient forest or water sounds for gentle sensory stimulation.
  • Create a nature habit – open windows, take meetings or calls outdoors, or eat in an outdoor space.

Bringing Biophilic Design to Life with Preserved Botanicals

One of the most practical, cost-effective, and visually striking ways to implement biophilic design is through the use of dried and preserved foliage, moss, and flowers. These natural materials offer a long-lasting solution for bringing nature indoors without the maintenance demands of live plants. Preserved botanicals are real greenery and flowers that have been sustainably treated to retain their softness, structure, and colour. Unlike artificial plants, they’re authentic in texture and appearance, and when compared to living installations, they don’t require watering, sunlight, or ongoing upkeep, making them an eco-conscious and low-maintenance option for interiors.

Why Choose Preserved Over Live or Faux?

Preserved designs help reduce operational costs while still achieving the visual richness, texture, and sense of calm that natural elements provide, especially important in sectors like hospitality, wellness, retail, co-working, and corporate interiors. They are long-lasting, require no water or soil, making them ideal for settings where maintenance access is limited or sustainability is a key concern. Compared to faux greenery, preserved botanicals offer genuine organic texture and colour without the environmental impact of plastic.

Creative Applications of Preserved Foliage & Flowers

Whether you’re designing on a budget or aiming for a show-stopping focal point, preserved materials offer incredible versatility:

  • Green Walls & Vertical Panels: Create lush backdrops using preserved botanicals like Icelandic moss, ferns, cascading botanicals, or any products from the premium Earth Matters collection. Modular by nature, these panels can be installed without irrigation systems or structural overhauls, perfect for reception areas, meeting rooms, or branding moments in a space.
  • Hanging Installations: Suspended botanical “clouds” and sculptural arrangements bring nature into the vertical plane. Commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and wellness spaces, these pieces make a striking impact without occupying floor space.
  • Framed Botanical Art: As an alternative to traditional art, framed preserved compositions double as focal points and biophilic features. They’re especially effective in corridors, waiting rooms, or private offices.
  • Biophilic Accents & Styling: Smaller additions, like tabletop moss bowls, shelf vignettes, or desktop flower cloches, can enrich a space with natural detail and texture, all without major structural changes.
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Why Designers Are Turning to Preserved

In today’s digital first world, green spaces are becoming more essential for our wellbeing. But not every building can support living walls, and not every client wants the hidden costs of regular maintenance. That’s why preserved botanicals are fast becoming the designer’s go-to for sustainable, scalable biophilic solutions.

The Challenge of Living Walls and Fresh Installations

Living walls (also known as green walls or vertical gardens) are one of the most striking ways to introduce greenery indoors. They’re eye-catching and deliver an instant atmosphere, but they also come with a considerable amount of maintenance. For high-traffic environments or buildings with limited access to natural light and airflow, these demands can quickly outweigh the benefits.

Living installations require:

  • Structural support
  • Irrigation and drainage systems
  • Regular watering and pruning
  • Light and climate control
  • Ongoing plant care and replacement

However, preserved plants offer the same visual richness as live greenery, but with none of the upkeep. Made from real flowers and foliage that have been treated to maintain their softness and colour, preserved botanicals are ideal for commercial spaces that need long-lasting impact without ongoing care.

In comparison to live installations, dried & preserved designs are:

  • Low Maintenance: No water, no light, no soil needed.
  • Long Lifespan: Stay vibrant for months or even years with minimal effort.
  • Eco-Friendly: Fewer replacements, lower transport needs, no irrigation or drainage requirements.

Sustainability Without Sacrificing Style

As businesses become more conscious of their environmental impact, the demand for design solutions that support sustainability is growing. Preserved botanicals align well with green building standards and eco-conscious project briefs. Their low-waste, low-resource profile makes them a smart choice for both short-term activations and long-term design schemes.

Because preserved botanicals are made from real plant materials that have been treated to maintain their form, softness, and colour, they require no water, soil, fertilisers, or energy-intensive climate control. This dramatically reduces their carbon footprint compared to live installations. Additionally, their durability means fewer replacements and less transport, further cutting emissions and waste. Using preserved varieties like Icelandic moss, which is sustainably harvested and requires no irrigation, helps reduce water use and carbon output across your design’s lifecycle.

For designers and specifiers working on projects aligned with BREEAM, WELL Building Standard, or other green building certifications, preserved botanicals can contribute toward sustainability goals. They’re particularly well-suited to interior environments where natural light and ventilation are limited, like basements, corridors, or high-traffic commercial areas where live plants would struggle to thrive.

By choosing preserved over disposable or high-maintenance alternatives, designers can deliver immersive, biophilic experiences that are both stylish and sustainable. Whether used in short-term brand activations or long-term installations, preserved greenery proves that low impact doesn’t mean low design value.

Conclusion

As we face climate challenges, mental health crises, and increasingly urbanised lives, the need to reconnect with the natural world is so important. Biophilic design reminds us that we were never meant to be cut off from nature, and by bringing the outside in, we don’t just make our spaces more beautiful, we make them more human.

Whether you’re designing for a modern office, wellness retreat, or high-end retail space, consider how low-maintenance preserved natural elements can add long-term value. The result is an interior that feels calm, considered, and genuinely connected to the world outside.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

Ready to Bring Nature In?

Whether you’re planning a statement installation or adding subtle, sensory-rich touches to your space, our curated collection of preserved foliage, moss, and dried flowers offers the perfect balance of beauty, sustainability, and longevity.

Browse our range of core materials that are ideal for green walls and hanging installations such as preserved Icelandic Moss, asparagus ferns and green ivy, each product is carefully selected to help you create interiors that feel grounded, restorative, and alive, with none of the upkeep.

Explore the Foliage Collection

Discover preserved greenery designed for modern spaces, or get in touch to discuss materials for bespoke installations, trade enquiries, or styling support.