(Image courtesy Burst)

As we have definitely discovered over the last few years, home is a place that should serve as an escape and support one’s overall well-being with he right home trend. Home is increasingly viewed as a place of therapy and should be designed as such both inside and out. So whether you are living in a one-bedroom apartment or a multi-level house, we predict 2022 will be about home design that heals, which means that it is a pleasure to live in, enhances our wellbeing, and is better for the environment. 

Biophilic Design is Top Home Trend

Design this year will be defined by blending the beautiful with the functional, cultivating an indoor/outdoor lifestyle, and embracing natural elements. Humans have long valued being connected to nature in our homes, as evidenced by the fact that we are happy to pay more for homes that have a view, are next to the water, or a park.

But since that isn’t possible for everyone, buyers and homebuilders are also looking to incorporate this natural feeling and feel-good materials associated with healing properties — such as selenite or alabaster — while steering away from synthetic materials that don’t connect to the earth.

This concept is called Biophilic Design, and it not only includes the use of natural materials to offer wellbeing benefits and improve our connection to nature, but it brings quality of design into sharper focus, from materials to craftsmanship to sustainability and beyond. 

Biophilic Design principles have wide-ranging psychological and physical benefits, from improving sleep to reducing stress levels. They also now incorporate more sustainable materials, including vintage and vintage-inspired pieces.

Biophilic Design Makes Home Owners Healthier and Happier 

For the last twenty years or so, we and our homes have become increasingly less healthy, filling our spaces up with chemicals in everything from home building materials to fixtures and our décor.  We also have designed homes that don’t make adequate use of natural light.

But studies have shown that homes using natural materials not only reduce toxins but are also more aesthetically pleasing to homeowners and potential homebuyers. More homeowners than ever are saying that having natural materials in their homes makes them feel happier and that their homes have a lot more charm and character. 

Natural Materials Used in Homebuilding

Green building isn’t just about using wood and other natural materials in the building of the home. It also incorporates design that allows for maximum exposure to the outdoors, natural scenes, and using design to lessen building’s impact on the environment — like green roofing and rain gardens. 

Natural building materials like wood, clay, stone, lime, wool, and straw have great benefits; for example, they reduce the use of products that require a great deal of energy during manufacturing, and in some cases they are also more energy-efficient.

Natural Materials Used in Fixtures

Incorporating natural textile elements in home fixtures like built-ins and lighting can be as simple as switching from a generic synthetic lampshade to one made from bamboo or crystal rocks. Wood and wicker are also great natural and sustainable materials to use in home fixtures. 

Natural Materials Used in Décor

Even if we are spending more time indoors, we don’t want to be disconnected from nature. This is why people feel happier when surrounded by greenery, and indoor plants have had such a strong resurgence. 

Having live plants have – or even just fresh flowers — around your home redresses the outdoor/indoor balance and is actually quite easy to do! Low-maintenance houseplants, such as potted lavender and succulents, bring greenery effortlessly into your home.

In addition to plants and flowers, décor items like jute rugs, ceramic pottery lamps, mixed metal and wood tables and bookshelves, woven baskets, and even nature-themed art are feel-good home additions that are super versatile, pairing just as well with modern and upscale spaces as with mid-century and coastal interior design. 

At LIST WITH ELIZABETH®, we’re sure biophilic design is sure to be a top trend this year. We are needing the healing powers of nature more than ever, and design that aims to create strong connections with earth-friendly materials can have benefits for health and wellbeing.