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Residential clients are increasingly seeking spaces that improve sleep quality, reduce ambient stress, and create a tangible connection to nature.
The biophilic design brief has evolved beyond adding a few plants or specifying natural wood.
Interior design now requires fluency in nature-aligned building systems: modular living walls with integrated irrigation; acoustic natural-fiber panels; tunable white lighting calibrated to support circadian rhythm; and regionally sourced stone with transparent, ethical supply chains. These are performance specifications tied to measurable improvements in air quality, acoustic comfort, and occupant wellbeing.
- Maintenance protocols
- Ventilation requirements
- Fire ratings for natural materials
- Acoustic STC expectations
- Budget gaps between custom homes and multifamily developments
The Interior Designer Opportunity
- Living wall systems designed for low-maintenance residential use
- Sculptural planters that function as spatial dividers
- Natural-material surfaces with authentic variation and durability
- Circadian lighting that supports human biology without sacrificing form
This article brings you specification-ready sources—whether you’re designing a primary bedroom retreat, a wellness-focused kitchen remodel, or a multifamily amenity corridor.
Designer Quick Reference
Stephen Kellert’s 6 Principles of Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is broad, but Stephen Kellert’s framework remains the most widely used lens for evaluating whether materials, systems, and details genuinely support human–nature connection in built environments.
Environmental Features
Direct, sensory references to nature—vegetation, water, stone, sunlight.
Application cues: living walls, stone sinks, natural clay finishes, architectural planters, daylighting strategies.
Natural Shapes & Forms
Organic geometry that quietly softens built environments.
Applications: arched casework, sculpted seating, curved lighting profiles, carved wood details.
Natural Patterns & Processes
Materials that evolve or express natural rhythms: patina, fractals, texture shifts.
Product cues: hand-finished woods, weathering metals, textured stone, tactile wall panels.
Light & Space
Lighting and volume that mimic outdoor variability.
Specification notes: tunable white lighting, diffused daylight, layered ambient/task strategies, clerestories.
Place-Based Relationships
Design informed by regional materials and local craft.
Good fits: locally quarried stone, regional hardwoods, site-specific color palettes, cultural textures.
Evolved Human–Nature Relationships
Spaces that evoke prospect, refuge, calm, or natural complexity.
Design moves: long-view window placement, soft retreat zones in bedrooms, layered natural textures.
Why These Principles Matter in Residential and Multifamily Projects
GSky
Delray Beach, Florida
- The Versa Wall® does not require constant watering. Each individual 4″ plant receives its own water and can be individually replaced as needed (for seasonal variation).
- They also offer a mobile plant wall which comes on wheels and includes a water tank, allowing it to be moved to any place within the home, used as a room divider, or as a temporary feature while entertaining.
- Maintenance programs offer continued expert support with plant replacement guarantees & system warranties.
Habitat Horticulture
Berkeley, California
- Growmeo® is a mini living wall system that does not require plumbing, electrical, or drainage. It can be hung like an art piece, or tiled in numbers to create a full-scale living wall.
- They emphasize native, keystone plants, sourcing and growing the majority of plants within a 100 mile radius of the job site
- Thy use recyclable, recycled, and biodegradable materials in their structures whenever possible
Niche Modern
Hudson Valley, New York
- Their minimalist style includes simple shapes such as globes, cylinders, marquise, and lantern-style
- They offer over two dozen natural color choices including smoky, blush, sapphire, jade – they can be opaque, translucent, or a mixed gradient.
- Light features can be mixed and matched to create natural lighting integration and optimal light layering.
Native Trails
San Luis Obispo, California
- Hammered copper sinks bring light and style to the kitchen or bath while promoting health by killing harmful bacteria.
- Freestanding tubs are available in copper, nickel, or NativeStone®, a composite material that maintains the beauty of natural stone, at a fraction of the weight.
- They partner with individual artisans to hand make their spun glass and hammered copper sinks, and give back through their Community Trails programs.
Lumicor
Renton, Washington
Native Trails crafts luxury sinks, freestanding tubs, and vanities for kitchen and bath, made of materials such as copper, precious metals, imitation stone, and concrete. Their artisan-made pieces provide a centerpiece, highlighting the unique luminosity and texture of natural materials.
- Hammered copper sinks bring light and style to the kitchen or bath while promoting health by killing harmful bacteria.
- Freestanding tubs are available in copper, nickel, or NativeStone®, a composite material that maintains the beauty of natural stone, at a fraction of the weight.
- They partner with individual artisans to hand make their spun glass and hammered copper sinks, and give back through their Community Trails programs.
Bluworld
Orlando, Florida
- Semi-customizable Waterwalls are available in several different sizes with various options for frame color, water panel material and accessories. They can be installed next to each other to create the appearance of a long horizontal Waterwall.
- Their fully encapsulated Blu-Guard line does not require regular maintenance or a connection to a water supply. Since the water is completely sealed in the system, there is no evaporation and they do not get dirty – installation and operating costs are lower.
Sabai Design
Brooklyn, New York
- Their eco- and health-friendly upholstery fabrics include PFAS-free recycled velvet, hemp blend, upcycled poly, and even cactus leather!
- Minimalist tables are created from white oak or cherry, with VOC-free finishes.
- Seating features modular designs that are easy to assemble and are shipped in 100% recycled packaging. They feature FSC Certified Wood and high resiliency foam.
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