15 Stunning Ideas To Bring Biophilic Design To Your Bathroom

Biophilic design is currently having a moment. It's quickly becoming a popular way to add more life into a home. In fact, it's a Pinterest-approved bedroom design trend to bring the outdoors in and nurture our bond with all things natural. However, a calm and rejuvenating environment isn't just necessary for the high-traffic areas of your home. It's essential to mimic a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, too. But how do you achieve that? The easiest way is to display a few plants around the space and then incorporate some other elements like sunlight, natural materials, and earthy colors.

Remember, you must choose the plants carefully (hint: tropical ones are a good bet). In other words, species unable to tolerate humid air aren't a good choice. You also want to check the amount of sunlight streaming into your bathing space, or you should opt for shade-loving plants. But simply adding one or two pots isn't going to cut it. You must commit to the design theme and sprinkle in elements that'll speak to as many of your senses as possible, including sight, touch, and smell. Using furniture made of organic materials, including wood, stone, marble, and leather, is another way to bring the biophilic design to your bathroom. Try to anchor the decor items with a connection to the outdoor world as well. Ready to make your master bathroom feel like a luxury oasis? Here are 15 stunning ideas to help you get started.

If you've always wanted to enjoy a shower amidst nature but don't feel comfortable literally taking one outdoors, opt for a live wall in your bathroom for a similar effect. All you have to do is dedicate a wall (or a portion of it) to a vertical garden. Pick plants that do well indoors in a humid environment. Moreover, determine if the wall receives ample sunlight or is slightly shaded and choose plants accordingly. In case natural light is hard to come by, rely on artificial light sources to ensure your living wall thrives.

Finding the right spot for your plant pots can be challenging. You don't want them to be in the way, but you also don't want to place them in an obscure nook where they won't be seen and may be completely forgotten. An easy solution is to add a few plants to your vanity countertop. They won't be in your way and you won't forget about watering them (not with the sink so near). Just don't forget to place a saucer underneath to catch run off and maintain a pristine space.

Shelves are incredibly useful in a bathroom. Courtesy of these storage solutions, you can house all your bath products out of sight or in style. Some might even let you store a few extra towels, bath robes, and toilet paper rolls so you don't have to keep running to your linen closet. However, if your shelf is looking rather boring and you have some open space, slot a few plant pots in them to shake things up. In case you don't want to ruin the look with a saucer underneath each pot, use faux plants to add a touch of greenery to your bathing chamber.

Minimalist bathrooms boast of a clean and simple look since they focus on functional elements rather than ones that are just eye-catching. In case you've started feeling a little bored of this aesthetic but don't want to make any major changes, add some natural elements that provide texture and warmth like a rattan trash can, wooden shelving unit, or bamboo slotted wall divider. This will give your bathroom some much-needed personality without burning a hole in your pockets. Or, if you want to make a larger impact, add wood-look tile or stone flooring or a wooden vanity.

There are multiple ways to style dead corners around your home, but the pool of options narrows down significantly when you need to fill the odd corner in your bathroom. After all, plopping down your favorite plush chair isn't an option anymore, nor is adding a bookshelf or hidden storage boxes. While you could get a bench that's customized to fit in the niche, if you're looking for a simpler and less-expensive solution, try placing some plants in the corner. Larger ones will make more of an impact in the room.

A key element in biophilic design is natural light. This can be a difficult feature to include in a bathroom, as you don't want to reduce the privacy in the space by adding large windows. Instead, consider installing a skylight to bring natural light in from above. This could also be beneficial for any plants in the room, as it will provide them with additional lighting. A narrow, horizontal window above the shower would also have a similar effect and provide a bright, airy feel to an often dark corner of the bathroom.

It can be difficult to find available horizontal surfaces for your plants, especially if you have a small bathroom. If this is the case, instead of shelving your dreams of a biophilic bathing room, use the available vertical space. Simply put, hang the pots to enjoy greenery even when you're short on space. You just need a sturdy surface to hang them from. Your shower curtain rod, wall hooks, and ceiling brackets are all good examples of areas you can use. However, don't hang the pots directly overhead to avoid injuring your head.

Are you trying to lower your water bills and don't draw baths anymore? Or, perhaps there's a drought and you're trying to use your limited water reserves judiciously. Whatever the case may be, don't let your bathtub remain empty. Instead, use it to house your plant pots and bring the biophilic design to your bathroom. You won't have to worry about the mess or hunt for good spots in the room. Win-win! Bonus advantage: You can use the structure to keep your houseplants watered while you're away. Remember to plop a towel or old cloth down to prevent the pots from scratching your bathtub's surface.

Accent walls in showers are a rising bathroom design trend that will set your space apart from the rest. They'll make your bathing chamber stand out and draw attention. This will be best if the color, texture, and pattern is reminiscent of natural elements. You can pair the wall with other elements that bring in the same color, like towels, rugs, and planters. Of course, these green accents will also look great with your plants and provide a color-drenching effect that can have a huge impact.

When incorporating the biophilic design to your bathroom, making the most of the space you have is vital. This is especially true if you don't have a lot of open surfaces available for the taking. So, eye the room critically and pinpoint spots you can use to place a few pots. For instance, if there's a decorative wooden frame around the mirror, line the bottom ledge with small decorative pots. However, don't go overboard, or the wooden frame might give way and the pots will come crashing down. Tiny plants can also be placed on windowsills, tub corners, or small floating shelves.

Once upon a time, the clean lines and timeless look of white bathrooms was all the rage. However, all-white bathrooms are now going out of style. But there's no need to panic. If you have an all-white bathroom and no desire to spend thousands of dollars to remodel it, break up the monotony with plants. The green leaves and colorful flowers will add interest and life to the otherwise clinical space. Stick with the same species for a cohesive look or play around with varied textures for a personalized touch.

Live or faux plants aren't the only leafy elements you can add to your bathroom to embrace the biophilic design. A nature-inspired wallpaper will evoke similar feelings. Opt for a design that's in harmony with the room's decor and showcases nature in all its glory. Get it done by a professional for a lasting impression or go with peel-and-stick options for a budget-friendly alternative. However, avoid covering walls that come in constant touch with water. Plus, ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated to prevent your chosen wallpaper from peeling off.

Following garden center math every time you visit a nursery or garden center will leave you with more plants than you can comfortably fit in your garden, living room, family room, and bedroom. But instead of donating a few pots from your priceless collection (oh, the horror!), use the leftover space in your bathroom to your advantage. This idea is perfect for plant lovers who love nothing and nobody else like they do their plants and are fervent supporters of #plantislife. To take this a step further and simulate an immersive forest theme, cover the floor with decorative stepping stones.

Elements that are reminiscent of waterfalls will make your space not only feel serene but also connected to nature. Your sink faucet is likely the easiest place to include a waterfall-esque element in your bathroom, but this could also be done for a bathtub or just as an extra water feature in the space. Similarly, using an overhead rainfall shower head could also make you feel more connected to nature. Mixing this element with natural materials and plants is sure to create the biophilic vibe you're going for.

Why stare at a blank wall when taking a bath when you can have plants decorating it? Cover the wall outside a bathroom window with creeping vines for a touch of greenery. In case that's too basic for your tastes, consider adding a few climbing plants for your north-facing wall to enjoy the sight of flowers while you unwind after a long day (or night!). This will not only make your space look more lush without requiring the same maintenance needs as indoor plants but will also provide you with more privacy in your space.