28th November 2023

Ever stepped into a room full of rustic wood decor, earthy colour palettes, and lush greenery towering over you? Then you’ve seen biophilic design principles in action.

Derived from the Greek words “bios” (life) and “philia” (love), biophilia reflects the idea that humans have an instinctive and deep-rooted connection with the natural world, stemming from our evolutionary history. It’s from this concept that biophilic design was born.

Biophilic design is an innovative approach to interior design that creates a symbiotic relationship between the built environment and nature. It artfully weaves natural elements and materials into a living space with the aim of promoting well-being and a sense of connection to the natural world.

If you’ve been thinking about adding a touch of biophilic design to your single-storey extension, you might be wondering how to go about it. Well, that’s what we’re here to guide you through today!

At Trade Price Warmer Living, we have years of expertise in single-storey extension designs. Here, we explore 4 easy ways you can incorporate biophilic designs in your single-storey extension.

1. Place Indoor Plants and Nature-Inspired Decor

Unsurprisingly, plant life is a key part of biophilic design. Filling your extension with potted plants, hanging planters, and even indoor gardens will allow you to immerse yourself in natural beauty while helping keep the air clean and pure.

It’s best to choose plants that thrive in the UK climate, such as spider plants, peace lilies, aloe vera, and English ivy, as they’ll grow larger and last longer than other types of plants.

The goal is to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, so look for furnishings and accents inspired by organic shapes found in nature. Natural materials like driftwood, seashells, and stones can further strengthen your connection to the outdoors. For animal lovers, consider adding a fish or insect tank to bring more life into the space.

2. Incorporate Natural Light and Ventilation

Nothing is more natural than wide, open skies and the warmth of sunlight on your face. Bringing more natural light into your extension through the use of large windows, skylights, and glass doors will allow you to maximise this bright and airy feel, while also providing stunning views of the nature outside your home.

If you’re thinking about adding a skylight, go for the openable version – it gives you more control over the ventilation in your extension. There are even motorised and sensor-based options available for the ultimate in modern convenience!

3. Choose Natural Materials

Create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection by using natural materials throughout your extension. Exposed wood beams, brick walls, and stone surfaces help bring the outdoors in, while furniture made from natural fibres like cotton, linen, jute, and wool adds warmth and texture.

It’s best to choose sustainably sourced timber over metal for the extension frame. The cellular structure of wood contains air pockets that act as natural insulation, keeping interiors cooler in summer, warmer in winter, and less prone to condensation. This makes timber ideal for controlling temperature and humidity within the extension.

4. Use a Biophilic Colour Palette

Colours have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of a space, so be careful when choosing your extension’s colour palette. An ultra-modern, high-contrast scheme can seem jarring next to natural materials like wood, stone, and plants, so instead, consider an earthy, muted palette that blends seamlessly into the surroundings.

Warm neutrals like beige, tan, and light brown work well as background colours, as they allow bolder natural hues to stand out. Greens in various shades, from sage to moss, reflect the colours found outdoors, while deep blues and greens can evoke bodies of water or lush forests.

Try looking to the local landscape for inspiration. Observe the colours in nature near your home and replicate those in the design – for example, pulling in the precise shade of green from the trees outside or the blue from a nearby stream. This creates a unified, organic aesthetic that feels grounded in the specific natural environment.