Biophilic homes: Living in tune with nature

Green living is not just about cutting energy costs any more, or ensuring a constant supply of power or water to your home. As more and more people become aware of the benefits of living in harmony with the natural environment, home buyers are increasingly starting to demand "biophilic" homes which incorporate elements of nature to enhance the well-being of residents.

These elements include natural light entering through large windows and skylights, plants and water features in indoor green spaces such as atriums and courtyards and the use of sustainable building materials such as rock, wood and glass. In new developments, homes are increasingly also being designed to seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces and promote a sense of living in nature. And there are even some new high-rise developments in SA that are being built according to biophilic principles.

Meanwhile the good news for existing homeowners who want to bring their properties more in line with this trend is that there are several relatively easy and inexpensive ways to ensure that their homes remain appealing to future buyers - and provide them with improved well-being in the meanwhile.

These include simply having more indoor plants to improve air quality and create a sense of nature indoors and arranging furniture to maximise any views of nature, whether it's a garden, park, or scenic landscape to further the sense of connection with the outdoors.

When it comes to décor, homeowners can use a nature-inspired color palette, incorporating earth tones and natural hues, to create a soothing and harmonious atmosphere. They can also display artwork that reflects nature or scenes from the outdoors and make use of biophilic patterns in upholstery, curtaining, tiling or flooring.

Using natural materials like wood, stone and bamboo in furniture and décor will also bring in tactile and visually pleasing natural elements, while making the most of any outdoor spaces like gardens, patios or balconies will enable them to spend more time in nature. These become especially inviting if homeowners can integrate water elements like fountains or water features to evoke the calming effects of natural water sources.

If possible, homeowners should maximize natural light coming into their home by replacing small windows with larger ones and skylights. This enhances mood and will also help to ensure proper ventilation and airflow to maintain a fresh and healthy indoor environment - without air conditioning.