Biophilic Design at Home: An Introduction to Inspired Living from the Outside In

Shayla Owodunni
Oct 12
4 min read

Loft condo filled with tropical houseplants — Now here's a trip down memory lane to The Plant Penthouse circa 2020...

What if your home could heal you back? Today, let's introduce biophilc design a discuss how to create your own nature-inspired sanctuary. Discovering the wonder that is biophilic design has confirmed homes can, in fact, usher in healing; and this homebody is never turning back. By the end, it may be all the more clear why plant people really are happy people.

A Love of Life | The Story of Biophilia

Biophilic design, taking root from the word biophilia (which remarkably means “love of life”), is the art and science of reconnecting humans with nature through design. Biologist E.O. Wilson believed this connection is embedded in our DNA; a biological need as real as food, water, or shelter. I'd have to agree. When I founded The Plant Penthouse, my mission was to prove that connection to nature doesn’t require a backyard (it's been almost a decade since I've had one of those!), it starts wherever you are.

In a world where we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors (according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency), this design philosophy feels more essential than ever before. What say you?...

The Three Pillars of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design can transform any space, be it a city apartment or seaside sunroom, when you understand its core principles:

Direct Nature Living elements like plants, sunlight, airflow, and water.
Indirect Nature Materials, colors, textures and patterns that echo the outdoors.
Spatial Experience Layouts that provide balance: refuge, openness, and transition.

If I could leave you with one pillar anecdote it'd be this: Biophilic design is less about filling your space with plants, and more about filling it with life. And that life is doors wide open for your interpretation...

Why It Matters

Science confirms what our intuition already knows: nature heals. According to a study conducted by the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, simply interacting with plants can reduce stress by up to 37 %! Welcome to improved air quality (I won't argue with NASA), sharpened focus, and an all-around lifted mood.

But beyond the numbers, biophilic design cultivates calm, creativity, and connection. A home aligned with nature becomes a soft landing after long days, a living sanctuary that restores you from the inside out...

Room-by-Room Inspiration

Living Room

Layer natural textures like linen and rattan, and vary plant heights to create movement.

Bedroom

Choose soft lighting, natural fiber bedding, and a few green companions for a soothing retreat.

Kitchen

Grow herbs, showcase wood or stone surfaces, and invite sunlight to do the styling.

Home Office

Position your desk near a window, add a plant within sightline, and use natural wood for grounding energy.

Bathroom

Introduce humidity-loving plants and spa-like materials for an instant wellness upgrade.

Pet-Friendly Biophilic Design

The beauty of biophilic design is that it's easily adaptable to honor every life in your home, human and animal alike.

With that, here are some things I'll highlight to keep in mind:

Keep toxic species (Monstera, Philodendron, Dieffenbachia) above paw level.
Prioritize safe varieties: Spider Plant, Peperomia, Ponytail Palm.
Use floating shelves or hanging gardens to separate plants gracefully.
Ensure airflow and natural light for comfort all around.

Curious about toxicity?

📞 ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline: 1-888-426-4435

Or, might I recommend reading more via this blog post.

Design & Styling Takeaways

Design with Intention

Biophilic design isn’t about adding more stuff. This corner of the design stratosphere is about subtracting what blocks your calm and is in your control to remediate. In my life lately, that has looked like trading synthetic scents for natural ones. Swapping harsh industrial white bulbs for warmer, daylight tones. Clearing clutter to reveal newfound breathing room.

Ask yourself: What does peace look like in my space? Then start there.

Here's another idea (I have no shortage!):

Styling with Soul: Create Plant Vignettes

Designing with plants is storytelling through leaves. I love creating vignettes — small, curated scenes that bring life, structure and rhythm to a room. Create flow and balance by thinking in layers and movement.

Apply the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” garden design approach:

Thriller: A statement plant like a Monstera or Bird of Paradise.
Filler: Medium plants that balance the scene — think Philodendron or Calathea. Mid-height support — Calathea, Pilea, or Anthurium.
Spiller: Trailing plants like Pothos or Heartleaf Philodendron to soften edges and add flow.

Other considerations I love to incorporate?:

Group plants by light needs and visual weight. Frame plants around mirrors, shelves, or art to connect them with your design story.
Mix materials (e.g. rattan, linen, terracotta) for grounding texture.
Use odd-number groupings to mimic nature’s asymmetry and visual rhythm. 1, 3, or 5 always feels organic.

Lighting Logic (more on lighting and plant care here)

South: Provides bright direct light so you might consider layering sheers for diffusion.
East: Welcomes gentle morning light, prime real estate for cultivating calm spaces.
North: Bouncing light with mirrors or light, neutral walls helps extend reach!

The Biophilic Starter Kit

Create your own mini moodboard and start curating your own nature-aligned space with five foundational elements to begin:

Linen throw or natural fiber textile
Wooden or rattan accent piece
Potted plant in a textured vessel
Natural scent (eucalyptus, cedar, or lavender are always top of mind)
A clear line of sight to sunlight or greenery

What makes the best biophilic designs? My vote is on personality, purpose, and presence.

Start small: one plant, one counter top, one nightstand, one window.

Let your home become your sanctuary: living, breathing, and forever growing with you. Creativity and calm await!

About the Author,

Your Plant Penthouse Concierge

Shayla Owodunni is founder and Creative Director of The Plant Penthouse, a flora-inspired interiors and lifestyle brand where design, plants, and creativity converge to inspire connection and intention.

Named as one of Apartment Therapy's 2025 Design Changemakers, with features including HGTV, The Wall Street Journal, Twin Cities Live, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Artful Living, Wit & Delight, Minnesota Star Tribune, Midwest Home, CBS Minnesota, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Shayla is a trusted voice in houseplant care, interiors, and styling. She helps both aspiring and seasoned plant parents build thriving indoor jungles with practical, actionable advice for incorporating nature into everyday life.

With a passion for educating and creating green spaces, Shayla empowers her community to cultivate beautiful, authentic environments with purpose and panache.

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