How Can a Biophilic Design Consultant Improve Your Interior Space

One could create a beautiful room but still have it lack life. What might be lacking is not necessarily an additional decoration, but rather something that connects one with nature. This is where biophilia comes into play and begins to redefine how one thinks about design.

What Does a Biophilic Design Consultant Actually Do?

Rather than simply figuring out how a plant will fit into the area, a biophilic design consultant may have more to do. This may include evaluating the space, knowing how it is used, choosing appropriate natural features, and integrating them into the overall design.

Other factors that will have to be taken into consideration include lighting, irrigation, traffic flow, maintenance requirements, and floor and wall spaces. This is even more crucial when incorporating living walls, planters, moss artwork, and other large-scale plants into the design.

Research helps explain the increasing interest in designing spaces based on nature. According to the Human Spaces workplace study that involved 7,600 office employees in 16 different countries, there were 15% increases in reported well-being, 6% increases in productivity, and 15% increases in creativity for those working in the presence of nature.

How Can Biophilic Design Improve an Interior?

Enhances Visual Connection to Nature

Planting, natural forms, organic textures, and visuals directed toward greens can help bring some softness into hard commercial spaces. The right plant installation can create warmth and visual interest without altering the functionality of a space.

Enhances Underutilized Space

Vertical planting does not take up floor space, but instead brings the green element into the interior through a vertical feature. Living walls and preserved moss installations can convert a plain wall into a focal point, allowing movement through the space.

Complements the Intended Atmosphere

The biophilic interior design can be created according to the intended function of the space. Hospitality environments would require warmth and visual interest, whereas an office might need greens around reception and common areas.

Maintenance into the Design

No matter how beautiful an installation is, it will not make sense if it cannot be maintained. The choice of the plant, its location, accessibility for watering and other factors have to be considered before installation.

Biophilic Design Elements at a Glance

Element	Possible interior role	Key planning consideration
Plants and planters	Add living greenery and visual softness	Light, placement, and maintenance
Living walls	Create a vertical focal point	Irrigation, access, and structural planning
Preserved moss art	Add natural texture	Wall location and visual scale
Natural materials and patterns	Reinforce a nature-inspired concept	Fit with the existing interior

What Does Biophilic Design Look Like in Columbus?

There are some good examples provided by Columbus of how such concepts may be applied in an urban business setting. Oakland Green Interiors offers projects which include office, hospitality, health care and residential interior designs. The company uses interior plants, living walls, moss walls and maintenance.

The Huntington Center living wall is one example from Columbus. As per the case study information from the company, the living wall spans over 2,400 square feet and has 8,500 plants.

When comparing biophilic designs in Columbus from different companies, the important question for businesses is not how many plants do we need? But what elements of nature will be suitable for this space?

For more detailed info, check out What Should You Know Before Choosing Biophilic Design Services in Columbus

When Should You Bring in a Consultant?

The sooner the better. Involving a specialist in the planning stage will enable the coordination between the plants’ design and their lighting, watering, space planning, and other interior aspects. A specialist could save from any last minute changes when designing an interior with a living wall or a big plant installation.

Consultants for interior design might set a general style of the interior, and a biophilic specialist could provide the knowledge about plants, their installation and maintenance.

Any research about interior biophilic design should begin with the purpose of the space. Think about movement, working, waiting, gathering, and resting places of people.

Before we shroud 

However, what makes for a good design in biophilic interiors is not necessarily creating a room full of nature, but rather making sure that nature is deliberately integrated into the interior. If done well, nature can complement the appearance and functionality of an interior without making maintenance difficult. This is illustrated by the portfolios of Oakland Green Interiors, specifically the collection in Columbus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is biophilic design limited to indoor plants?

No, plants are vital; however, biophilic design can incorporate natural elements, patterns, light, views of nature, and organic forms.

Is biophilic design appropriate for commercial spaces?

Yes, it can be implemented in office settings, hospitality venues, health care facilities, residential areas, and other interiors, where elements would be based on building function, occupants, space, and maintenance considerations.

What is the difference between biophilic interiors and standard interior design?

Interior design involves floor plan, functionality, materials, colors, and aesthetics. Biophilic interiors include an intentional attempt to connect building occupants with nature using plants, patterns, materials, and views.

Are living walls maintainable?

Yes, a living wall includes living plants that require proper care depending on the type of plants, lighting, irrigation, installation, and surroundings.

Can biophilic design be implemented in a small interior?

Of course, even a small group of plants, moss wall, natural material or properly placed installation can bring nature indoors without taking up much space.