A small, cozy corner in your home or workplace can provide an unparalleled sense of tranquility. Here, you can create a retreat that allows you to momentarily escape from the stresses and distractions of the world. Biophilic design is all the rage among architects and interiors professionals, and with good reason: Studies show that using natural elements in design can have a powerful positive effect on our health and well-being. But you don’t need to have a massive indoor waterfall or a wall of plants to experience the benefits—creating your own biophilic nook can reap the same rewards.
Part 1: The Strength of the Biophilic Nook What I am most appreciative of when it comes to a well-crafted biophilic nook is that it provides a personal retreat—your own sliver of existence filled with life-affirming aspects of the natural world. Biophilic nooks do not need to be sizable or audacious to make a statement. The most potent biophilic designs tend to be understated, harmonizing with the mingled forms of your home or workplace with their soothing visual and aural properties. They beckon you to occupy them, offering moments of meditation, musing, draping, or just plain hanging out.
One of my favorite examples comes from a close friend who converted a small reading corner in her urban apartment into a biophilic retreat. With a view of their trees, she added a few potted plants, a soft woolen throw, and a small water feature that trickles ever so softly in the background. The space doesn’t scream “nature!” but the subtle presence of greenery and the sound of water instantly make you feel calmer. It’s these small, deliberate touches that turn a regular nook into a biophilic nook—a place where nature feels integrated into your life, not just an afterthought.
In creating the environments of the schools, I have been inspired by my travels to Japan. The Japanese concept of shibui—finding beauty in simple, understated forms—resonates with the principles of biophilic design. For instance, while staying at a ryokan (traditional inn) in Kyoto, I had a simple window view of a rock garden covered with moss. The room itself was very minimal, but that connection to nature—the greens in the moss and the light playing off its texture in the morning—was profound. It was a personal moment of nature that I could savor as long as I wanted.
Should you contemplate crafting a biophilic nook, direct your attention to places in your home that elicit tranquility or introspection. This might be an oversized corner chair that you love to snuggle into with a good book; an unused corner; a small, tucked-away alcove by a window; or even a forgotten spot on a balcony. The aim is not to recreate a lost landscape but to bring the presence of nature into the space in a way that feels authentic and resonates with you. A biophilic nook, after all, is about your relationship with the natural world.
Selecting Components for Your Spot of Nature When I choose components for a biophilic nook, I consider the senses: sight, sound, touch, even smell. Each sense plays a vital role in how we experience the natural world, and incorporating them into your design can deepen the connection between you and your space.
Green: Plants are, of course, a must. But it is essential to think about how they fit into the space. I am a fan of low-maintenance plants that thrive indoors, like snake plants or pothos, as they require little attention and provide a constant connection to nature. If space allows, a tall fiddle leaf fig or monstera can make quite the statement. For smaller spaces, hanging plants or a vertical garden work wonders, drawing the eye upward and maximizing use of space.
2. Illumination: Biophilic design relies on light. If your reading nook is adjacent to a window, then by all means, let it be light—naturally. Noonday sun, morning or evening—it doesn’t matter. Let it spill in until your nook is overly illuminated, and then let it be extremely shadowy. Let it play. Let a day in the life of your nook be a dynamic one. Even in the absence of natural light, the appropriately warm, soft, even somewhat diffuse lighting that a reading nook can have may serve to approximate the effect that sunlight—or copious amounts of it—might have.
3. Textures: I always make it a point to say that natural textures are key. Think about tactile materials that you might find in nature—wood, stone, wool, or linen. A table of reclaimed wood, a stone sculpture, or a blanket woven of wool can instantly ground a space. Textures provide not only visual warmth but also comfort when touched. My personal favorite texture? Linen—cool in the summer, cozy in the winter, and always inviting to sit in with a cup of tea. In my very natural kitchen, I have a wooden bowl rather large in which I keep my fruit.
Which fruits, you may wonder? Well, in reality, only apples. This bowl has amazing texture.
Part 2: Sources of Personal Inspiration in Designing Biophilic Nooks
Inspiration for biophilic nooks comes from experience and close observation—of nature and of people. That is because biophilic design is not one-size-fits-all. It must be tailored to the environment in which it is built and to the inhabitants that will make it their own. My approach to this design practice has been inspired by encounters with nature in some of the most unusual settings, leading my look to the unexpected in designing places for people to interact with nature.
I recall one October afternoon in the Lakes when I was hiking. The air was sharp, the leaves were turning, and the valley in front of me seemed to be holding its breath. I had sat down upon a rock and was skimming the surface of a small pool of water with a twig (as if I were playing a very reverent version of “Air on the G String”). I was completely at ease in nature, and that feeling has stayed with me, too: the memory of it, the emotion of it, tied together in a way that connects both to who I am and to what space can do for a person.
I aim to translate my own experiences of solace into biophilic nooks. The aim is to achieve not only a physical presence of serenity but also an emotional one. This is often only achieved by the inclusion of objects that elicit a strong personal remembrance. I might direct a client to find something narrow and tall to fill a space next to their fireplace. I might also suggest an old photo of them between the two bonsai trees they trained. A black and white photograph inside a bosom of two bonsai trees would, to me, be two times as present in evoking that same way you might feel after climbing a mountain or drilling down into the ocean.
I once undertook a project for a client who had recently moved into a modern flat with a limited balcony. She wished to replicate in that outdoor space the untamed wildflower meadows of her native Switzerland. With that in mind, we selected a variety of large pots and filled them with a mix of native “wild” plants (none of which are on the FDA’s list of harmful substances!) to mimic the dynamics of “meadow” flowers. We had one wall in our unfurnished outdoor space, so we used it to create a “living” mural. From top to bottom and side to side, we covered the wall with a mix of flowers reminiscent of an artist’s paint palette.
That little corner captivated her. It wasn’t just that it was beautiful—that beauty was the mere icing on the cake. And it wasn’t just that she was surrounded by flowers. This was what “biophilic design” looked like. But still, there was something else. Something that had to do with how that nook remembered her past and helped her access it. And yes, the flowers had their part in this aloofness. They lulled her, all right. And then we come to the flowers, which by nature had a part to play in this biophilia thing.
The Balancing Act of Minimalism and Nature
I have a profound admiration for minimalism; however, there is a delicate equilibrium to maintain when it coincides with biophilic design. When this design comes into play, the harmonious mix of natural and built environments is what it’s all about. There is definitely a sweet spot you want to find—too much natural “stuff” and the space can feel chaotic, while too little makes the place feel like a sterile laboratory. I had a client once who wanted a nook in their minimalist apartment that wanted to fulfil both qualifications of a clean, simple space without the cold, lifeless feelings one can sometimes get from minimalism.
They also loved the idea of a nook filled with plant life, reaching for something more than a mere “billion-dollar smile” (a nod to the biophilic design concept of using an aquarium).
We attained this effect by concentrating on a few carefully selected natural components. A huge fern in an elegant black planter, a handsome, earthy rug, and an eye-catching bamboo floor lamp with a shade of linen. The plants enlivened the space, while the minimalist furniture served as a calming backdrop, allowing the natural components to emerge as the main attraction. From this experience, I learned that biophilia needn’t devolve into a half-hearted indoor jungle. When thoughtfully executed, a design with biophilic principles can resemble a sophisticate’s natural history museum, with each creature featured in its own diorama.
One of the difficulties numerous individuals encounter is the creation of biophilic spaces in diminutive abodes or confined workspaces. Yet, I’ve discovered that the most potent little corners I’ve seen or had a hand in designing just so happen to be the tiniest. It’s kind of hard to believe, really, that some of the well-placed green accents, natural elements, or even just cleverly selected materials in small spaces can have so profound an effect. It makes you wonder why we sometimes think of biophilic design as the sole province of two-story atriums.
A standout memory of a project is from an apartment in the middle of Manhattan. The client had almost no outdoor space to speak of, except for a cramped fire escape. We transformed it into a verdant, vertical green wall by adding planters filled with a riot of color. Weather-treated and nearly indestructible, the plants are as at home on the fire escape as the client is. At night, warm lighting gives the newly envisioned space depth and incredible curb appeal. By day, the plants stand in stark contrast to the drab fire escape and the neighboring buildings.
In no way does this area represent the “functional, if cramped and awkward, fire escape” it once was.
Nature in Unlikely Locations
Strange, but how true: biophilia often shines through in spaces that are less illuminated and less likely to be jam-packed with the plants that we consider the heart and soul of biophilia. A basement can be windowless and still host a mouth-watering collection of plants. With a little light, a loft can be drenched in hanging plants and greenery—biophilic nooks taken to the next level. A bathroom can feel zakat-like, serene and peaceful, with a living wall alive with moss, a wooden accent wall, and a few serene sounds—aka the ambient sound of running water.
A nook I created in a tiny garden shed is one of my favorite designs. The owner of the shed had designs of his own for its interior and wanted a space suitable for a sabbatical, of sorts. We put in a chair for reading, placed conveniently next to a window that gazes upon the garden and the slightly more elevated interior of the neighboring shed. The fervent wish to understand the neighboring shed led to the installation of a second set of wind chimes in the confined space of the shed interior, which could only sound a muffled beep.
In each of these instances, the nooks are impactful because of their smart design and real connections to nature. It doesn’t matter how big or small, or where in the world, a biophilic nook becomes. The nooks have the potential to make a space feel different and influence the way we feel in and about the nooks’ immediate surroundings.
The science supporting biophilic nooks While what we think and how we design is important and, of course, personal, there’s a lot of solid research backing the benefits of incorporating nature into small spaces like nooks. One meta-analysis of several dozen studies published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health concluded that “exposure to nature, in any of its forms, has significant positive effects on human health.”
A research project that interests me greatly examines what is called the “micro-restorative experience.” This refers to the calming effect brief interactions with nature can have on us—like the momentary encore we get from natural light, or the way our many senses light up when we’re in nature, or some short, sweet version of a natural experience. Another way of thinking about the term “micro-restorative experience” is that, when we seek a “biophilic taco” in nature—an experience that’s condensed and over quickly but still phenomenal and delicious—we’re reaping the many benefits of nature.
Bringing nature into our daily lives can be as gentle and simple as the sound of flowing water, the soft touch of natural fibers, or the sight of lush plant life. Such elements can surround you in tranquility, and they can also harness the restorative powers of nature unfurled within connection.
Part 3: Instructions for Designing a Biophilic Nook
You don’t need to make huge changes or overhaul your space to create a biophilic nook. These are intimate spaces, and they are very much yours to tailor. Whether you have a lot of room or a little, you can find a sunlit or slightly shaded corner to seat you and a few of your favorite natural elements—if only a plant or two, or some twigs, stones, or shells from a beloved natural place. Let me guide you through the steps of designing a nook like this, from the shaping of an idea in your head to the realization of it in your home.
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Site
When you begin to think about creating a nook, you’ll first consider where to locate it. This could be anywhere—next to a window, in an underused corner of your living room, or even a spot on your balcony. The key is to find a place that feels somewhat private or secluded, where you can sit quietly and enjoy the space without too much distraction and where you can listen to the muffled sounds of life just beyond your nook’s walls.
In my experience, spaces located close to a window tend to work best because they allow an influx of natural light that enhances the connection to the outdoors. However, a nook can still be biophilic even when located in a windowless corner. For instance, I once worked with a client to build a nook in a windowless room. We used warm, indirect lighting to mimic the appearance and comfort of natural light. We also hung a large botanical print on the wall to draw in a visual element of nature. The nook became one of her favorite spaces, and she possessed a deep affection for it.
If you are fortunate enough to have a vista, be it a garden, a tree, or even just the sky, orient your seating so that you can take it in. Nature views are one of the most accessible and effective ways to feel connected to the outdoors from inside.
Step 2: Incorporate Organic Materials and Textures
After selecting your location, consider how to incorporate natural materials and textures. This is where the tactile part of biophilic design really shines. Focus on the surfaces you will touch, the upholstery you will sit on, and the materials that will embrace you.
Materials that evoke warmth and comfort are my passion. Wood is an obvious choice. It brings a vibrant, grounding presence to any given space. I can imagine any number of pieces made from solid wood to be present in my ideal space: a slender wooden table, a stout bench, a series of wooden trays. The grain, the texture, the finish—wood is just so good. For an extra coze factor, I suggest textiles. Wood and wool are a dream team; linen and leather also do well together. And it’s not just between your two hands: Textiles do a lot to visually and tactilely soften spaces, making them much more inviting.
I recall collaborating with a pair of clients who had a very minimalist design philosophy and were reluctant to add many natural textures. However, when we introduced a 10-ounce linen throw and a wool area rug into their sitting-corner nook, they were surprised at how these seemingly small additions warmed and softened the space. Warmer, in this case, meaning the room felt a lot less stark and a lot more inviting.
Another outstanding choice is stone. A small stone sculpture or a handful of river rocks arranged with care in the space can make for a textural nod to the Earth’s crust that recalls its enduring form. It’s not just the solidity of stone but its appearance—smooth, rough, flat, or faceted—that can make for such a good presence.
Incorporating vibrant greenery imparts vitality and dynamism to an environment. Several factors deserve consideration in this aspect. First, fresh greenery—living plants—should be included in as many spaces as possible, particularly in the public areas of the building and adjacent to workspaces. Second, if it isn’t possible to use actual plants, then the next best alternative is artwork—murals, images, or statues of plants. Lastly, if no plant life (or plant life substitutes) is possible, use color green, as in painted or colored surfaces.
The biophilic design in any space revolves around plants. They’re the key to a nook that feels natural and alive. Choosing the right plants—those that not only thrive in the amount of natural light the space receives but also suit your personal style and lifestyle—is essential to the design. If you love tending to plants, you might select a peace lily or a fiddle-leaf fig. If you want no- or low-light plants that will do well in your space, look to snake plants, pothos, or succulents.
Something I’ve observed over the years is that even one solitary plant can greatly influence the atmosphere of a room. I collaborated with a young professional who lived in a small apartment in the city. We situated a single, generously sized, verdant fern in her reading nook. The change was immediate. Not only did that one plant soften the hard lines of her modern furnishings, but it also introduced a sense of movement that, for some reason I can’t quite grasp, made the space feel alive.
Should you have the square footage, you might try a medley of plants—some suspended, some sitting in pots on the floor and at small tables. You might even construct a vertical plant wall. You can let a vine or two—like English ivy or pothos—drape down a shelf or the face of a hanging planter. They’ll almost certainly add to the lavishness that most plant parents crave.
Engage All the Senses, Not Just Sight
To create a biophilic nook that not only looks good but also engages you on a multisensory level, you need to apply the tenets of biophilic design more practically. It’s one thing to hear about it in the academic sense; it’s another to truly get it and replicate it. Here are a few more ideas—aesthetically beautiful multisensory systems that liven up the nooks and crannies and engage you and your senses above and beyond sight.
The calming nature of sound cannot be overstated. At home, I have a small water fountain that provides a tranquil backdrop. The gentle sound of running water is much more conducive to my concentration than any silent space could ever be. If I had my druthers, I would have a space with thunder, rain, and wind sounds on either side of me. On the other hand, I could see myself in a space with the dulcet tones of birds just going off within arm’s reach. If you’re looking for inspiration to add some natural sound to your space, consider wind chimes, a playlist of “nature sounds,” or some other form of “sound art.”
The tactile components of your nook are just as essential as the visual ones, and I’ve touched on that already. What about the furniture? Is it comfortable? Does the upholstery make you want to cuddle up with a book and never leave? Your nook should be tactile heaven. That means adding pillows, throws, and area rugs. It’s also about the making the furniture pieces feel visually touchable.
Odor: Embedding scent into your biophilic nook is a fabulous means of intensifying your bond with the natural world. Essential oil diffusers or candles with natural fragrances such as pine, eucalyptus, or lavender can establish a tranquil ambiance. While working on one project, my team and I used cedarwood oil in a diffuser; the client told us that every time she entered her nook, the aroma made her feel like she was taking a calm stroll through a forest. The ways in which our brains can connect with certain smells are fascinating—and underappreciated in the design world.
— by Eliza Pennard, in a Brown University Graduate School publication
Temperature: Although controlling temperature in every space is not always feasible, I find there’s a critical need to ensure the nook feels physically comfortable. In winter, that could mean making sure a soft blanket is within reach; in summer, a light linen throw might do the trick. The space must be inviting in any season; that is the benchmark.
Fifth Step: Make Your Nook Reflect You
The final and most crucial component of a biophilic nook is ensuring it reflects your individuality. This is your opportunity to adorn the space with items of personal significance that invoke a sense of connection to nature. Whether it’s a treasured piece of nature-inspired artwork, a book about the great outdoors, or a small army of pet rocks amassed during a coastal stroll, the items you choose help create a cozy nook uniquely yours.
I’ve long thought that the best biophilic designs inspire narrative. If the most dramatic biophilic design occurs when man and nature meet in a space, then each space’s objects need to tell the story of that moment. My friend Daniel J. Cornwell, AIA, who co-heads the biophilic design studio at the architecture firm Gensler, when not teaching at UC Berkeley, describes brine and curvature as the two key qualities of a seashell. In that sense, a shell embodies a significant relationship with a coastal memory. My nook’s shell exists in a similar duo of dimensions.
Ultimately, your biophilic nook should be a space that brings you serenity—where you can step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy the natural elements you’ve integrated into your home. Whether you take a few minutes to sit in your nook every day or just escape to it occasionally, it should help you regroup and reconnect with nature.
