How I Learned to Bring Nature Into My Tiny Chicago Apartment (And Why Your Space Needs It Too)

Okay, so imagine this: you’re stuck in a 400 square foot studio with basically no natural light, working from your kitchen table during a global pandemic, and you’re slowly losing your mind. That was me two years ago. But then I discovered this thing called biophilic design, and honestly? It changed everything about how I think about my space and my mental health.

I know “biophilic” sounds like some fancy design term that only people with Instagram-worthy lofts can afford to care about, but hear me out. It’s literally just about bringing natural elements into your living space – and you can do it even if you’re broke and living in a cave-like apartment like mine.

The whole concept taps into this basic human need to connect with nature. Like, there’s actual research showing that when you incorporate plants, natural light, water features, and organic materials into your environment, your stress levels drop, your mood improves, and you can actually think more clearly. Which explains why I felt so much better after I started filling my studio with plants and grow lights.

## What Biophilic Design Actually Means (And Why It’s Not Just for Rich People)

Biophilic landscaping – or really, biophilic design in general – is about creating spaces that don’t fight against nature but work with it. Think lush greenery, the sound of water trickling, natural materials like wood and stone, and as much actual sunlight as you can manage to get.

For those of us living in tiny urban apartments, this might seem impossible. But I’ve learned that even small changes can make a massive difference in how a space feels. When I first started adding plants to my studio, I wasn’t thinking about “biophilic design” – I just knew I needed something alive in my space or I was going to lose it completely.

The science behind why this works is pretty fascinating. Studies show that people who spend time in spaces with natural elements have:

– **Lower blood pressure** – Being around plants literally calms your nervous system
– **Better focus and productivity** – Natural light and greenery help your brain function better
– **Improved mood** – There’s something about being around living things that just makes you feel less depressed

I started following plant accounts on Instagram during lockdown (you know the ones – gorgeous apartments full of fiddle leaf figs and perfect lighting), and I kept seeing research shared about how urban environments with more green spaces have lower rates of anxiety and depression. Made sense to me, since I definitely felt more anxious living in my concrete box than I ever did growing up in suburban Atlanta with actual trees and a yard.

## The Mental Health Benefits Are Real (And I Have The Receipts)

Let me be really honest here – before I started intentionally bringing nature into my apartment, my mental health was pretty bad. Working from home in a space with no natural light, no plants, just white walls and artificial lighting, was genuinely depressing. I gained weight, stopped sleeping well, cried a lot for no reason.

But once I started adding plants, getting better lighting, and creating what I now know are “biophilic elements” in my space, things started shifting. Having something alive to take care of gave me purpose. Watching new leaves grow was surprisingly satisfying. The improved air quality from having a dozen plants probably didn’t hurt either.

Research backs this up across different environments:

| **Environment** | **Impact on People** |
|—|—|
| Homes with plants | Reduced stress and anxiety |
| Workplaces with natural elements | Higher job satisfaction |
| Schools with biophilic design | Better attendance and focus |

I started documenting my plant journey on Instagram and got so much engagement from other people in small apartments dealing with similar mental health struggles. Turns out a lot of us city dwellers are desperately trying to bring nature into spaces that seem designed to eliminate it completely.

The productivity boost is real too. Once I created a proper workspace near my plants with decent lighting, I could actually focus during work calls instead of feeling like I was trapped in a fluorescent-lit cave. Walking meetings on my building’s rooftop garden became my secret weapon for brainstorming sessions.

## Basic Principles That Actually Work in Small Spaces

When design blogs talk about biophilic principles, they usually assume you have a backyard or at least multiple rooms with good natural light. But I’ve figured out how to apply these concepts in a tiny studio with terrible lighting, so trust me when I say this stuff is adaptable.

**Working with Natural Elements (Even Fake Ones)**

You don’t need a garden to bring natural elements into your space. I started with one grocery store pothos named Patricia, and now I have a whole collection of plants that thrive under grow lights. Native plants are ideal if you have outdoor space, but for indoor situations, focus on plants that can handle low light and don’t need tons of maintenance.

For my rooftop garden project, we researched plants native to the Chicago area – things like wild bergamot and purple coneflower that attract local birds and butterflies. But in my apartment, I stick with hardy houseplants like snake plants and ZZ plants that can survive my irregular watering schedule and artificial lighting setup.

Water features seem impossible in a tiny space, but I found a small tabletop fountain at a thrift store that adds that calming water sound without taking up much room. It’s not Instagram-worthy, but it works.

**Maximizing Whatever Light You Have**

This was probably the biggest game-changer for me. My apartment gets maybe 45 minutes of indirect sunlight per day, so I had to get creative. Here’s what actually worked:

– **Mirrors strategically placed** to bounce whatever light I do get around the space
– **Grow lights** that don’t look completely industrial (took some trial and error)
– **Light-colored walls and surfaces** to reflect as much light as possible
– **A daylight lamp** for my workspace that mimics natural sunlight

I learned about seasonal light patterns from plant care Reddit threads, which helped me understand why I felt so much worse in winter. Now I adjust my artificial lighting throughout the year to compensate.

**Creating Connection to Place**

This is where the rooftop garden project became huge for my mental health. Having access to actual outdoor space, even if it’s shared and I have to climb four flights of stairs, made me feel connected to something bigger than my tiny apartment. We grow herbs and vegetables up there, which means I can actually cook with fresh basil I helped grow.

Inside my apartment, I tried to create different zones even though it’s technically all one room. Plants help define the spaces – my “bedroom” area has calming, low-light plants, while my “workspace” has more energizing greenery near the window.

## Designing Spaces That Actually Work for Regular People

Most biophilic design content I see online assumes you have money, space, and probably outdoor area to work with. But I’ve learned that you can apply these principles even in the most constrained situations.

**Choosing Plants That Won’t Die**

I killed so many plants in the beginning – mostly from overwatering because I was anxious about keeping them alive. Native plants are great if you have outdoor space because they’re adapted to local conditions and need less care. For my rooftop garden, we stick with plants that can handle Chicago weather and don’t need tons of water.

Indoors, I focus on plants that can handle neglect and low light:
– **Snake plants** – basically impossible to kill
– **ZZ plants** – thrive on neglect
– **Pothos** – grows fast and tolerates poor lighting
– **Spider plants** – produce babies you can share with friends

Research shows that gardens with native plants increase property values, which is great if you own your place. For those of us renting tiny apartments, the benefit is more about mental health and air quality.

**Creating Wildlife Habitat (Even on a Small Scale)**

This sounds impossible when you live in a concrete building, but the rooftop garden taught me that even small green spaces can support wildlife. We get birds, bees, and butterflies up there now because we planted things they actually want.

Key elements for attracting wildlife:
1. **Water sources** – even a shallow dish works
2. **Native plants** that provide food
3. **Shelter** – dense plantings or brush piles
4. **Pesticide-free spaces** so insects can actually survive

Inside my apartment, my plants definitely support some ecosystem – mostly fungus gnats, unfortunately, but I’m working on that.

## Making It Work in Urban Environments (Because That’s Where We Actually Live)

The reality is that most of us dealing with housing affordability issues live in cities with limited access to nature. But cities worldwide are starting to integrate biophilic design into urban planning, and there are ways to tap into these resources even if your personal space is limited.

Singapore gets called the “City in a Garden” because they’ve integrated plants into basically every aspect of urban design. New York’s High Line turned an abandoned railway into a linear park. These projects show what’s possible when cities prioritize access to nature.

But while we’re waiting for systemic change, there are ways to find and create biophilic spaces:

– **Community gardens** – many cities have programs for residents to get plot space
– **Rooftop access** – talk to your landlord about unused rooftop space
– **Neighborhood green spaces** – even small pocket parks provide nature connection
– **Shared outdoor areas** – courtyards, balconies, fire escapes (safely)

The benefits aren’t just personal – these green urban spaces improve air quality and reduce the heat island effect that makes cities hotter and more polluted.

| **Benefit** | **How It Works** |
|—|—|
| Better air quality | Plants filter pollutants naturally |
| Reduced stress | Green spaces calm your nervous system |
| Community building | Shared gardens create social connections |
| Climate resilience | Plants help manage stormwater and heat |

## Real Examples That Might Actually Inspire You

**Rooftop Gardens That Aren’t Just for Rich People**

The High Line in NYC gets all the attention, but there are rooftop garden projects happening in regular apartment buildings too. My building’s rooftop transformation took months of convincing our landlord and pooling money from interested residents, but we made it happen.

The Edge building in Amsterdam has a rooftop garden that doubles as social space and houses solar panels – showing how you can stack multiple functions in one space. Our rooftop isn’t that fancy, but it serves multiple purposes: food production, social gathering spot, and personal mental health retreat.

Benefits we’ve seen from our small rooftop garden:
– **Improved air quality** around the building
– **Increased biodiversity** – we actually get birds and bees now
– **Community building** – neighbors who never talked before work together
– **Food production** – fresh herbs and vegetables for residents

**Courtyards and Shared Spaces**

Traditional courtyards in places like Kyoto show how small spaces can provide nature connection through careful design. Modern office buildings like Airbnb’s San Francisco location bring employees closer to nature without requiring them to leave the building.

Even in rental situations, you might be able to advocate for improvements to shared spaces. Our building had a completely unused courtyard that residents pushed to turn into a small garden area. It took persistence, but landlords sometimes respond when multiple tenants request the same improvement.

**Green Streets and Neighborhood Improvements**

Cities like Melbourne are working to turn gray streets into green corridors that connect neighborhoods and reduce urban heat. These projects show how biophilic design can work at a city scale, but they also create opportunities for residents to advocate for improvements in their own neighborhoods.

I started paying attention to which streets in my area had better tree cover and green space, and it definitely affects how I feel walking around different parts of the city.

## What I’ve Actually Learned From Trying This Stuff

After two years of gradually turning my tiny dark apartment into something more livable and getting involved with urban gardening, here’s what I know works:

**Biophilic design isn’t a luxury** – it’s a basic human need that should be accessible regardless of income or housing situation. The fact that access to nature is determined by how much money you have is a systemic problem, but there are still things you can do to improve your immediate environment.

**Small changes add up** – You don’t need to overhaul your entire space at once. I started with one plant and gradually added elements as I learned what worked and could afford new things.

**Community makes it possible** – The rooftop garden project only happened because multiple residents worked together. Advocating for better shared spaces, joining community gardens, and connecting with neighbors interested in similar projects makes bigger changes possible.

**It’s worth the trial and error** – I definitely made mistakes (killed plants, had a vertical garden fall off the wall at 2am, created humidity problems in my bathroom). But figuring out what works in your specific space and situation is part of the process.

The research is clear that incorporating natural elements into living spaces improves mental health, physical health, and cognitive function. For those of us dealing with small urban apartments, limited budgets, and restricted access to outdoor space, it takes more creativity and persistence, but it’s absolutely doable.

My current projects include trying to grow herbs on my kitchen counter (attempt #2 after the first batch died) and working with other building residents to expand our rooftop garden. Not everything works, but each experiment teaches me something new about bringing nature into constrained spaces.

The bigger picture is that cities need to prioritize biophilic design in affordable housing and public spaces. But while we’re advocating for those systemic changes, we can still find ways to meet our basic human need for connection with nature, even in tiny apartments with terrible lighting.