Bringing the outside in: The role of biophilia in workplace design

In its most basic terms, biophilia is the act of integrating nature and natural elements into a space. Its power? The ability to restore balance, calmness, and energy into our spaces through the use of plants, art, or subtle hints of colour that we often associate with our natural world.

In this blog, we explore the benefits of biophilic design, how to easily integrate nature into your space, and why combining natural materials with furniture and everyday items helps us stay continuously connected to the outside world.

Incorporating biophilia into your workspace
Adding biophilia to your space doesn’t need to be complicated. A simple visit to your local garden centre, supermarket or florist can offer plenty of inspiration. It’s important to familiarise yourself with each plant's environmental requirements. Why? Because each one has different needs – some thrive in full sun, others prefer a shadier spot, some need frequent watering, while others are more resilient and low maintenance.

What’s great is that plants come in a variety of sizes too. Whether you’re looking for a large monstera that’s bursting with eye-catching personality, or a cute, compact succulent that requires minimal care, there’s an option to suit every space and lifestyle.

Biophilic elements can easily be integrated into existing features, such as windowsills or desks, or can be a standalone feature in its own right. Some are even taking it to the next level, by placing statement, full-sized trees in the lobbies or receptions, while plants and greenery are appearing in lights, standalone planters, and furniture throughout the office.

With Bisley’s Planter range, you can seamlessly accommodate an array of plants and shrubs to create a focal point, as well as zones within a space, without the need for bulky furniture or permanent walls. Available in a variety of wood and steel finishes to perfectly complement your existing furniture or to add a pop of colour as you space plan.

Designing with biophilia in mind doesn’t necessarily mean adding plants. You can bring nature inside through the use of green tones, warm neutral accessories and natural décor - an approach that’s both low cost and low effort and easy to retrofit. If you’d like to go the extra mile, why not invest in a water feature to create a dedicated space to breathe and relax?

The benefits
The integration of biophilia has a myriad of physical and mental benefits. By creating a natural, welcoming haven, businesses often report reduced employee absenteeism, improved overall health, lower stress levels, and an increase in mood and mental restoration.

Due to these positives, biophilic design has become a key consideration when designing modern workplaces, particularly when creating different work zones that support both focus and collaboration.

You may even find that incorporating biophilia encourages more meaningful conversations in the office – discussions about who’s watering them, how much the plants have grown, and how best to care for them – is an opportunity for learning and building relationships.

Health and well-being
The focus on wellness is more important than ever, with many workplaces now investing in dedicated teams whose sole focus is on boosting employee health and well-being. Activities, such as walking meetings or yoga, are actively encouraged, as is taking regular breaks or volunteering within the local community. These initiatives boost overall wellness while also contributing to an organisation’s sustainability and CSR goals.

When it comes to introducing biophilia, employees benefit from cleaner air, which can help reduce health issues, as well as calming soundscapes that support quiet, focused work with minimal distractions. These low-stress, naturally inspired environments promote concentration, allowing us to produce our best work.

Incorporate natural materials
Despite popular belief, biophilia doesn’t mean having to grow a jungle in your space. Sometimes, it can be as simple as adding natural textures and materials into a smaller area to create a sense of comfort and connection to home.

Materials such as reclaimed wood, stone, or woven fibres like jute allow us to easily access the natural world when working. Pairing these with furniture that features rounded corners or softer edges is also a great way to add a softer, soothing feel to your space.

Conclusion
Embracing biophilia means that we can enjoy a wide range of mental and physical benefits through our enriched environments. Its impact stretches way beyond aesthetics – a space that is carefully considered by architects and interior designers demonstrates a commitment to creating spaces that motivate, inspire, and support healthier ways of working.

By integrating biophilic design, workplaces can also become more enjoyable, creating balanced environments where employees feel energised, supported, and genuinely happy to come to work.