Creating an indoor oasis: How biophilic homes improve well-being

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As urban Indians continue to grapple with increasing temperatures, and pollution levels, the fading connection to nature leaves us feeling stressed and disconnected. With a spike in temperature, the need for spaces that rejuvenate us becomes paramount. Enter biophilic design - a philosophy that seamlessly integrates natural elements like light, air, and organic materials into our living spaces, fostering well-being from the inside out. Rooted in our need to connect with the nature, biophilic design is not simply an aesthetic trend.

Design experts say there are psychological and physiological benefits, revealing how bringing the outdoors in can actively combat the stresses of city life. From strategically maximising natural light and ventilation to thoughtfully incorporating sustainable materials like bamboo and terracotta, they dive into how you can transform your home into a calming, restorative oasis. This season, you can embrace the power of nature and cultivate your own indoor sanctuary.

Beyond aesthetics: Benefits of biophilic design
Biophilic design integrates natural elements into living spaces to improve psychological and physiological well-being. Research indicates that this approach effectively counters urban stress by fulfilling the fundamental need to connect with nature. "Incorporating biophilic elements creates environments that support mental clarity, emotional stability and physical health, offering a natural solution to urban stress. The are several studies that demonstrate that natural light exposure regulates circadian rhythms, improving sleep quality, mood and energy levels. Hence the strategic placement of north-facing windows, bay windows and louvred shutters maximises daylight, creating calming environments while reducing dependence on artificial lighting," shares Vaishali Lahoti Shah, deputy general manager of design at Interio.

She outlines the wide-ranging benefits of biophilic design:
1. Views of greenery and water bodies decrease cortisol levels and lower blood pressure, providing mental restoration even when the connection is visual rather than direct.
2. Natural ventilation improves indoor air quality by reducing pollutants and supporting respiratory health.
3. Materials such as wood, stone and lime plaster minimise harmful emissions while creating tactile, warm environments that feel grounded and comfortable.
4. Organic shapes, textures and biomimicry in modern Indian homes create harmony and connection, reducing the sensory overload common in urban settings. Whether through a curved staircase resembling a vine or textured stone walls, these natural design cues restore balance and focus.

Integrating natural materials
Natural materials like bamboo, wood, and terracotta bring warmth, texture and a sense of connection to living spaces. Biophilic design focuses on using not just natural materials, but also sustainable ones. Sustainable materials are renewable, durable, ethically harvested and replenishing at rates equal to or faster than extraction.

"Bamboo grows rapidly, absorbs more carbon dioxide than traditional trees and requires no replanting after harvest. Its strength, fire resistance and moisture tolerance make it suitable for flooring, furniture and lighting in modern Indian homes. Wood, when reclaimed or FSC-certified, provides visual depth through natural grains and knots while blending with stone, plaster, and other earthy elements. Terracotta supports sustainability when locally sourced and used for lasting applications like tiles or wall finishes," explains Shah.

Selecting materials mindfully creates homes that are beautiful and environmentally responsible, enhancing living quality while preserving resources for future generations.

The design expert shares five tips to integrate these materials effectively:
1. Use bamboo for statement pieces and high-traffic flooring
2. Incorporate reclaimed wood for furniture, accent walls, or ceiling beams
3. Add terracotta elements through tiles, planters, or decorative items
4. Mix materials for visual interest and textural contrast
5. Consider local sourcing to reduce transportation impact and support regional craftsmanship

Choosing and using indoor plants
Indoor plants transform homes by adding texture, colour and a calming presence regardless of space size. "Effective plant integration means matching plant needs with room characteristics. Most indoor plants offer wellness benefits including air purification and improved indoor humidity. Follow the ‘right plant, right place' approach that balances aesthetics with care requirements and avoid overwatering," poses Shah.

For modern Indian homes, she proposes these environment-specific options:
1. For bright bathrooms: Peace lilies, philodendrons, and ferns that thrive in humidity
2. For low-light areas: ZZ plants, snake plants, and aglaonema
3. For sunny spots: Jade plants, aloe vera, and cacti varieties adapted to Indian climate
4. For air purification: Areca palm, spider plant, and money plant (pothos)

Worried about space? Shah recommends creating dedicated plant corners, hanging planters, or vertical gardens maximises space in compact urban homes while maintaining floor area. If keeping your indoor plants alive seems daunting, Shah suggests, "For beginners, low-maintenance options like string of hearts, snake plant and pothos thrive in various conditions and require minimal watering, making them suitable for bedrooms or corners. For visual impact, larger species like monstera, fiddle leaf fig and kentia palm work well in brighter and humid environments such as living rooms or kitchens. Succulents prefer dry, sunny locations and fit perfectly on coffee tables or windowsills. Group plants with similar water and light needs together for easier maintenance."

Biophilic design on budget
"You don't require a huge budget or a landscape architect to introduce nature into your house. Biophilia starts at the sensory level - light, texture, vegetation, sound," says Jitesh Donga, chief of design at Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. He believes the essence of biophilic design lies in fostering a sense of calm and connection to the natural world which can be achieved on any budget. "Even the smallest of decisions, such as introducing houseplants, employing natural materials like jute, rattan or reclaimed wood, or positioning a mirror on the opposite side of a window to reflect views of the outdoors, can have a deep impact on mood and health," he asserts.

Donga shares five ways to incorporate biophilic design on a budget:
1. Vertical gardens or balcony greens can be a sanctuary even in tiny apartments.
2. Materials with tactile depth - stone finishes, clay tiles, or lime plaster - unconsciously link us to the earth. With a touch of imagination, these solutions are both inexpensive and profoundly healing.
3. For tenants or those who cannot physically modify their areas, temporary structures such as planters, bamboo screens, or mobile water features can be a significant difference.
4. Even noise has a part to play - even a small indoor fountain can provide a biophilic sensory space.
5. Community-level spaces - shared terraces, podium gardens, and reading nooks - can serve as nature-infused extensions of personal space, even in compact developments.

Letting the light and air in
"Urban dwellings are quite often subject to limited natural light and fresh air access. Careful spatial organisation and orientational architecture can greatly alter this situation," says Donga.

As any city dweller knows, the battle for a sliver of sunlight or a refreshing breeze can feel like a daily struggle. He goes on to explain, "Room positions based on sun paths, lighter finishes on walls, and incorporation of ventilated facades can improve daylight and cross-ventilation - even in densely populated city environments. Homes can incorporate perforated screens, and double-height spaces that push light and air deep into the house while preserving privacy and thermal comfort," These design elements, while seemingly simple, can have a profound impact on the liveability of a space, offering both openness and a sense of sanctuary.

Even internal dynamics of a home matter, says Donga. "We should also think about airflow in terms of how spaces communicate. Closed kitchens, long corridors, or highly compartmentalised spaces can prevent natural circulation. Open-plan living spaces that extend to balconies produce a circulation of air and energy. The position of vegetation and even colours can affect the quality of a home's surroundings. When these approaches are combined at the design phase, they minimise dependence on mechanical systems, decrease energy use, and significantly enhance residents' quality of life," he concludes.

This seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces is increasingly recognised as vital for both physical and mental well-being in crowded urban settings.

Biophilic homes in the future: Integrating technology and nature
Donga boldly predicts, "The intersection of technology and nature isn't oppositional - it's complementary. Intelligent lighting simulating circadian rhythms, ventilation systems infused with AI, adjusting to indoor conditions, and AR/VR devices to aid visualisation of nature-inclusive spaces before construction will increase the prevalence of nature-guided design."

It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi film, but could this be the future of how we build and live? "Responsive facades that adjust to light and weather, and using digital twins to optimise daylight studies in the early design stage. These technologies not only improve efficiency - they enable better human-centric outcomes by personalising comfort," he explains.

The design expert shares multiples examples to make his point. He says, "Sensors can assist with tracking temperature and humidity to further aid indoor plants. Apps can assist residents with tending to balcony gardens. When we embed biophilia not as an afterthought, but rather as a beginning, we derive homes that are not just healthier and more habitable but also sustainable. The strategy is to borrow from local ecology and cultural background - to design biophilic spaces that are intimate, earthy, and appropriate to their environments."

It is clear that the vision here is of a truly fluid living experience, where the boundaries between our homes and the natural world dissolve. "The aim is to erase the distinction between inside and outside - through the use of terraces as green appendages of living rooms, through intermediate semi-open spaces, and through sensory design that calms," Donga says, concluding, "Biophilic houses of tomorrow will not merely contain individuals - they will heal them. They will be spaces that change, care for, and react. As the boundary between the natural and built environment continues to blur, design will be at the forefront of re-establishing that lost link with nature, particularly in the spaces we escape to most - our homes."