When I sit in my greenhouse these days, watching my wife tend to her winter herbs and listening to the small fountain I installed last year, it strikes me how much this whole biophilic design thing makes sense. Eight years ago, when I first heard the term from our daughter, I thought it was just another fancy name for something our grandparents knew instinctively – that being around nature makes you feel better.
But as I’ve learned more about it, especially while modifying our home for my wife’s needs after her stroke, I’ve come to understand that biophilic design is really about intentionally bringing natural elements into your living space in ways that improve your health and wellbeing. It’s not just putting a few plants on the windowsill, though that’s part of it. It’s about light, materials, textures, even the way spaces are arranged.
Now, if you’re thinking about hiring a professional to help create this kind of environment in your home, I’ve learned a few things about what to look for. I’m not a designer myself – I’m a retired engineer who’s been figuring this out as I go – but I’ve talked to several professionals over the years and seen what works and what doesn’t.
Understanding What This Design Approach Really Means
First thing to understand is that legitimate biophilic design goes deeper than decoration. When I started researching this for my wife’s recovery, I discovered it’s based on actual science about how humans respond to natural environments. Studies show that exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep patterns, that certain textures and colors reduce stress, that even the sound of water can lower blood pressure.
A good designer in this field should understand these principles, not just the aesthetic aspects. When I interviewed designers for our church’s fellowship hall renovation, the ones who impressed me could explain why they chose certain materials or lighting approaches, not just that they looked nice.
The real deal involves integrating things like natural lighting patterns, using materials that connect you to the outdoors, incorporating plants in functional ways, and creating spaces that flow like natural environments do. I’ve seen portfolios where every room had a token plant and some wood furniture, but that’s not the same as thoughtfully designing a space to support human wellbeing through connection with nature.
What to Look For in a Designer
From my experience working with professionals on our home modifications and the church project, here are the qualities that matter:
They should genuinely understand how people live, especially if you’re dealing with aging or health issues. The best designer we worked with spent an hour watching how my wife moved through our kitchen before suggesting any changes. She noticed which windows my wife gravitated toward, what times of day she seemed most uncomfortable, how the lighting affected her mood.
Look for someone who asks questions about your daily routines, health considerations, and what aspects of nature resonate with you. Do you find running water soothing or distracting? Are you energized by bright morning light or do you prefer softer illumination? These details matter more than you might think.
They should have practical experience with the technical aspects – proper ventilation for indoor plants, moisture control for water features, accessibility considerations if mobility is an issue. I learned this the hard way with that fountain that leaked and damaged our floors. A knowledgeable designer would have caught that problem during planning.
Sustainability knowledge is important too. The materials they specify should be environmentally responsible and durable. At our age, we’re not interested in redoing projects every few years because something wasn’t built to last.
Evaluating Their Previous Work
Looking through portfolios has gotten easier for me as I’ve learned what to spot. I look for projects that show consistent integration of natural elements, not random additions. The lighting should work with the space’s natural rhythms. Plants should be chosen for the specific conditions and maintenance requirements, not just visual impact.
Pay attention to how they’ve solved practical challenges. How did they bring natural light into a basement space? How did they create outdoor connections in a small urban apartment? What did they do when the client had allergies or pet restrictions?
I’m suspicious of portfolios that look too perfect or don’t acknowledge any constraints or problems they had to work around. Every real project has limitations – budget, structural issues, client preferences that don’t align perfectly with design principles. How they handled these trade-offs tells you a lot about their problem-solving skills.
Check References Carefully
This is where my engineering background comes in handy – I believe in verification. When possible, I like to talk to previous clients directly, not just read online reviews. Ask specific questions about the process, not just the final results.
Did the designer listen to concerns and adapt their approach? How did they handle unexpected issues during installation? Are the clients still happy with the functionality several months or years later? For older adults especially, ask about maintenance requirements and whether the solutions have held up to daily use.
Be wary of reviews that sound too generic or don’t mention any specific challenges. Real projects have hiccups, and honest clients will mention both positives and areas where things could have gone better.
The Reality of Implementation
From my own experience modifying our home, I can tell you that bringing nature indoors successfully requires ongoing commitment. Plants need care, natural materials need appropriate maintenance, and systems like water features or specialized lighting need periodic attention.
A good designer should be upfront about these realities and help you choose solutions that match your lifestyle and capabilities. They should also provide guidance for maintenance or connect you with local resources for ongoing care.
The goal isn’t to create a showroom – it’s to enhance your daily life through thoughtful connection with natural elements. The best results I’ve seen, both in our own home and in spaces I’ve helped with through church, are the ones where the design supports how people actually live, not how they wish they lived.
This approach has genuinely improved our quality of life. My wife’s mood is better on days when she spends time in the greenhouse. Both of us sleep better since we improved the natural lighting throughout the house. The accessible garden path has given her independence while connecting her with the outdoors year-round.
But it took time to get it right, and we made mistakes along the way. Working with professionals who understand both the principles and the practicalities can save you from some of the trial-and-error we went through. Just make sure they’re the real deal, not someone who’s jumping on a trend without understanding what makes it actually work.
Robert is a retired engineer in Michigan who’s spent the past few years adapting his longtime home for accessibility and wellbeing. He writes about practical, DIY ways to make homes more comfortable and life-affirming as we age — from raised-bed gardens to better natural light.
