Biophilic Design Furniture Ideas for Your Living Room

November 17, 2023

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Types of Biophilic Design Furniture
Biophilic Living Room Furniture Ideas
Conclusion

Biophilic design aims to foster a deeper human connection with nature in built environments. It recognizes that people inherently seek out natural spaces and benefit from closeness with nature and life. Research shows bringing natural elements like sunlight, plants, organic textures, and earthy materials into interior spaces boosts wellbeing.

Applied to home decor, biophilic principles inspire the use of natural furnishings with organic shapes and raw textures. This creates a relaxing, rejuvenating living room. This article explores biophilic furniture strategies. We'll look at natural materials, earthy colors, and organic shapes perfect for biophilic coffee tables, sofas, chairs, and more. Read on to connect your living space to nature through mindful furniture choices.

Types of Biophilic Design Furniture

When furnishing a biophilic interior, carefully consider how each piece of furniture can contribute to a nature-inspired aesthetic. There are several categories of biophilic furniture to look for:

Furniture Made from Natural Materials

Biophilic furniture often spotlights raw, unfinished renewable materials that provide an organic look and feel. Wood is a top choice, with oak, maple, walnut, and mahogany being popular sturdy hardwoods. Opt for locally sourced woods whenever possible to support sustainable forestry practices. Bamboo is another great renewable material that has an attractive natural grain. Rattan and cork furnish an earthy texture, while also being ecologically friendly options.

Beyond wood, also look for biophilic furniture crafted from stone, jute, seagrass, cotton, wool, and leather. Materials derived straight from plants or animals enliven a living space with organic textures and appearances.

Furniture with Organic Shapes

Biophilic furniture frequently incorporates gently curving lines, rounded edges, or asymmetric shapes that take inspiration from fascinating forms in nature. Think of the fractal patterns in snowflakes and flower petals, the sensuous curves of rolling hills or seashells, or the solidity of stones smoothed by water. Search for biophilic furniture with silhouettes echoing these stirring organic motifs. The soothing ebb and flow of these naturalistic shapes pleases the eye while eliciting feelings of harmony.

Furniture with Natural Patterns

When choosing biophilic furniture, look for pieces featuring artistic patterns inspired by nature. Beautiful wood grain visible in table tops and accent walls connects to the intricate variations seen in tree bark and cut timber. Sofas or pillows upholstered in textiles with leafy prints, branching vines, or flower blossom motifs incorporate the complexity found in lush forests or springtime meadows. Tables carved with undulating wave designs reference the constant motion seen in oceans and rivers. Seek furniture with these types of patterns to infuse a taste of the natural world into your living space.

Furniture with Natural Colors

Earthy hues taken straight from nature's palette play an important role in biophilic design. Look for furniture finished in warm wooden browns, tranquil sky blues, verdant greens, sandy neutrals, or rich earth tones like terracotta or moss. Natural wood stains, rather than opaque plastic laminates, allow the grain to show through. Textiles dyed with plant or mineral-derived pigments, such as indigo or ochre, also provide an organic ambiance. Avoid synthetic materials and opt for furniture with colors echoing those found in natural landscapes.

Furniture with Natural Textures

Texture can make a strong biophilic statement in a living space. Seek out furniture with inherent organic textures reminiscent of the outdoors. Look for tactile nubby linens, softly weathered leather, or hand-carved wood with visible ridges and knots. Rough exposed weaves and braided seagrass convey a windswept earthiness. Smooth pebbles, crystals, and stones reference the solidity and veins found in rock formations. Consider furniture with pronounced visible brush strokes for an artistic take on natural texture. Surround yourself with these raw yet soothing textures to experience nature through touch.

Biophilic Living Room Furniture Ideas

When furnishing a biophilic living room, carefully select pieces that fully embrace natural materials and organic shapes. Here are some specific biophilic furniture ideas:

Coffee Table

A solid wood coffee table with visible natural grain makes an ideal biophilic statement. Look for handcrafted detailing like dovetail joinery, hand-carved edges, or decorative woodburning. Tables made from reclaimed wood add organic charm through knots, cracks, and imperfections. For a highly unique biophilic table, use a slice of a tree trunk or repurposed driftwood.

Sofa

Biophilic sofas feature natural fabrics like linen, cotton, or wool, with removable covers for easy cleaning. Gently curved silhouettes and rounded arms reflect biomorphic forms. Rattan, bamboo, or wooden frames reference nature, as do legs shaped like tree branches or leaves. Upholster in hues like forest green, sky blue, or earthy ochre pulled from nature.

@farmhouseliving pair the Julane Collection to add neutral sense

Armchairs

Deeply comfortable biophilic armchairs can be covered in fabric or leather. Seek out organic shapes like scoop or barrel backs. Natural materials like a handwoven seat or distressed wood frame add organic texture. Biophilic wood stains, nature-inspired fabric prints, and touches like reclaimed branch arms enhance the natural aesthetic.

Keaton Armchair from @elizabethhomen

Dining Table

If your living room includes a dining zone, use a solid wood dining table with an organic flowing pedestal base. Wood slab or tree trunk tables with live edges epitomize biophilia. Choose wood species with interesting grains like walnut, acacia, or maple. Tables with butterfly leaf inserts to expand seating also work beautifully.

Henry pair with wood dining table from @sonelymateo

Plants

No biophilic space is complete without abundant greenery and foliage. Choose easy-care indoor plants like sansevieria, orchids, succulents, philodendrons, ferns, or palms. Arrange plants in natural wooden or terracotta planters to complement the decor. Vary heights and cluster plants in asymmetrical groupings for an organic feel. Opening windows to let in fresh air also connects to nature.

Incorporating these biophilic elements creates a living room that feels intimately linked to the beauty of the natural world. Surround yourself with organic shapes, materials, and references to nature for a relaxing, rejuvenating interior.

Conclusion

Creating a living room with biophilic design elements allows you to feel more connected to nature right within your home. Choose furniture made from natural materials, with organic shapes, earthy colors, and references to the natural world. Specific pieces like wooden coffee tables, linen sofas, leather armchairs, and live plants are great biophilic options. Incorporating these ideas into your living room decor provides beauty, comfort, and a soothing sense of wellness.

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