The Nature-Inspired Decor Trend That's Carrying Over Into 2025 In Bold Ways

Biophilic decor has been a part of our collective home-scape for a long time. "People have brought the outside inside since ancient times, not just with potted plants but with fountains, trellises, and sinuous natural woods like rattan," design historian Sarah Bilotta told House Digest in an exclusive interview. Of course, the earth-inspired foundation of the style is about more than just decorating with houseplants and furniture made from natural materials. This revitalized trend aims to create an indoor space that feels connected to nature — as if you were lounging in an early summer garden or strolling through a sunlit forest. Perhaps this is part of the reason it continues to be so popular.

Bilotta also pointed to our collective awareness of the impact we have on the planet as a contributing factor to the growing obsession with nature-based home decor. "As we recognize the rapid changes that our planet is undergoing, I think we tend to become more fond of it and more appreciative of what it can give us–from natural woods to leafy houseplants," she said. What's more, as the emphasis on unique biodegradable and renewable materials crowds out the focus on mass-produced plastic design elements, we have more room to bring our delightful design eccentricities into the spotlight. Pre-fabricated, neutral, appeals-to-the-masses spaces are losing the battle for our collective attention. Instead, we're leaning into inspiration from the bold colors of the forests, jungles, and oceans.

We're not just talking a touch of a color here and there. Current design trends are embracing biophilia by positively saturating rooms with a single, bold, nature-inspired color. Perhaps a living room drenched with a deep forest green on walls, trim, furniture and even ceilings. Or a bathroom that bucks the subway-tile standard in favor of a rich, turquoise paint-and-tile combination.

Luxurious, color-heavy backdrops are also ideal for another supportive feature of biophilic styling over the coming year: outdoor furniture. "In 2024, there was a total craze over rattan furniture — from wingback rattan chairs to elegant antique caned sofas," Sarah Bilotta noted to House Digest in our exclusive talk. "This furniture is affordable, it's light, and it can be recycled in so many ways — you can probably find a piece of rattan furniture at an antique store near you right now. I think the sustainability, portability, and timelessness of outdoor furniture will ensure that wicker and rattan remains popular both outside and inside, into 2025." 

Another biophilic-adjacent option is to embrace antiques and vintage furniture decor trends. There's nothing quite as sustainable and eco-friendly as something that already exists, and 2025 is expected to see an uptick in personality-driven styling. Embrace grandma's historic, rattan rocking chair as a homey touch to your jewel-toned family room. Or fearlessly add the southwestern style ceramic pot gifted to you by a neighbor to your bathroom "greenhouse". These hints of your personal story will bring your biophilic space to life by bringing another kind of outside element in — the tale of you, your background, and where you live.

An antique sign from the old neighborhood factory will make a unique and sustainably repurposed art piece in your light-flooded kitchen. Locally sourced plants will speak to the roots of your home. A designer-worthy thrifted lamp will add interest to a color drenched bedroom. Layering — both in the context of individual styling elements and broader decorating styles — brings touches of your unique style and history to your biophilic-inspired home. In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta suggests embracing the beautiful chaos of nature. "One of the things we love most about nature is that it's abundant and random: use this as inspiration to mix and match playfully," she said. "Try a small floral printed throw pillow on a larger floral printed bedspread, or layer a smaller printed area rug upon a larger solid one."

You can embrace this style in your home by going straight to the source: Mother Nature. Incorporate your senses — smell, touch, and sound. A small solar-powered fountain, for instance, will bring tranquility to your space. Textured, natural materials like wool, rattan, and linen will invite you to connect through touch. Thrifted mirrors will move light through your home, and translucent curtains or stained glass in lieu of drapes will invite in more light. Create a wood accent wall or a kitchen garden. Incorporate tree branches into home decor as lights, art pieces, or furniture accents. Add a diffuser with natural essential oils to your bathroom or mount handwoven baskets on the wall in your bedroom. The key to creating your own biophilic inspired space is to let your senses play and focus on bringing nature indoors (and, of course, preserving it outdoors).