Lots of plants. Natural light. Wood furniture. How bringing natural elements into your home can improve your health.

If you’ve seen the words “biophilia” and “biophilic design” all over your social feeds this year, you’re not alone. It’s been on many wellness and design trend lists for 2025, and, according to Martha Stewart, biophilic design is expected to “reign supreme” this year. But what exactly is it?

In a nutshell, it’s all about bringing the outdoors in. Biophilic design is a type of interior design and architecture that helps people feel more connected to nature. While many associate it with having lots of plants, it’s so much more than that. There are several key principles or patterns of biophilic design, including:

• environmental features, such as plants and natural materials like wood

• natural shapes and forms, such as furniture and architecture that mimic shapes found in nature

• light, such as making sure there’s ample daylight in spaces

But biophilic design is about more than creating attractive green spaces at home or in the workplace. It also has health benefits. These include stress reduction, better sleep, lower blood pressure, higher productivity, better mental health and cognitive function, improved immune function and an increased sense of well-being and connection.

While biophilia and biophilic design came into focus in the 1980s, it was only during the past 10 years that greater numbers of people became aware of it. Steve Nygren, founder of the wellness community Serenbe, tells Yahoo Life that modern life has stripped away two essential elements for a fulfilling existence: connection to nature and connection to one another. The purpose of biophilic design is to bring back that connection to nature.

6 ways to incorporate biophilic design into your home

Try some of these simple ways to include biophilic design elements in your space.

1. Get some plants. Choose a variety of plant species for visual interest and air purification. Even low-light plants can thrive in less sunny rooms. (These are the top trending houseplants, including fiddle leaf fig and snake plants.)

2. Maximize natural light. Try to get as much natural light exposure in your home and throughout your day as you can. This aids in better sleep at night by regulating your circadian rhythm, i.e., your body’s internal clock. Light exposure also affects your mood, and can lower the risk of depression by 20%. (Here are nine ways to maximize the natural light in your home.)

3. Choose natural materials. Incorporate wood, bamboo, rattan, cork, stone or reclaimed and sustainable materials in your home’s flooring and furniture. (Here’s some inspiration for using natural materials in home decor.)

4. Utilize natural ventilation. Open windows regularly for fresh air if possible. The American Lung Association recommends opening windows or doors for at least 10 minutes each day, unless it’s a poor air quality day.

5. Embrace organic shapes and textures. Select furniture and decor with curved lines, arches and irregular shapes, echoing the forms found in nature. (I recently helped design a biophilic furniture collection for Cort with these design elements in mind.)

6. Incorporate sound. Utilize your tech such as Alexa, Google, Spotify and YouTube to play nature sounds, such as a birdsong, a crackling fire, flowing water or rustling leaves. Exposure to natural soundscapes can elevate your mood, reduce symptoms of depression and alleviate pain.

Small changes in your indoor environments, whether at home or at work, can have a big impact on your body and brain. Biophilic design nurtures people’s innate connection to nature and to one other, creating healthier, more inspiring spaces that support well-being, productivity and happiness in an increasingly urbanized world.

Jennifer Walsh is a writer, founder of Wellness Walks With Walsh and co-author of Walk Your Way Calm.