How to Create a Biophilic Home: 7 Budget Design Ideas

If you are into interior design and home decoration, chances are your social media feed has been showing you biophilic design nonstop. Lush living rooms filled with greenery, cozy wood textures, and plenty of sunlight, the trend has kept popping up for years, and for good reason.

The concept is simple. Bring nature inside your home, blend it with your style, and instantly make your space feel calmer and more alive.

And the good news is you don’t need a massive budget or a professional designer to achieve a biophilic interior.

Yep, biophilic design on a budget is possible with a little creativity, patience, and some clever adjustments. We’ll show you exactly how to recreate the look without overspending.

What Is Biophilic Design and Why Does it Work?

The Rain Vortex waterfall and lush indoor forest at the Jewel Changi Airport, a marvel of biophilic design.

Jewel at Changi Airport. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Singapore. Apple Park in California. Bosco Verticale in Milan.

What do all these world-class landmarks have in common? They all feature biophilic design.

Biophilic design is a design philosophy that aims to connect people with nature in the built environment. It is based on the idea that humans have an innate need to affiliate with nature and other living systems.

But before biophilic design became a buzzword in interior styling, it was a concept born from psychology and biology. The term biophilia was first introduced by Erich Fromm in 1973, describing it as: “The passionate love of life and of all that is alive.”

A decade later, Edward O. Wilson, a Harvard biologist, expanded the idea in his 1984 book Biophilia, proposing that this connection to nature is biologically ingrained. He argued that humans evolved in natural environments, and our well-being still depends on maintaining that bond.

And newer studies support this. A Harvard study found that biophilic environments help people recover from stress faster, lowering both heart rate and blood pressure.

Meanwhile, a field study led by researchers from the University of Exeter found that simply adding plants to a bare office can increase productivity by 15%.

Now that we know why and how biophilic design principles work, let’s get to the fun part: how to DIY it in your own room.

7 Budget-Friendly Biophilic Design Ideas You Can Try at Home

With a little creativity and some smart choices, DIY biophilic design is totally achievable. Here are some simple, high-impact ideas you can try this weekend:

1. Let the Natural Light In

Cozy bedroom with textured linens, natural pillows, and abundant green plants visible outside the window.

Natural light is a powerful biophilic element that’s completely free. Maximize it by keeping windows clear. Remove heavy curtains and replace them with sheer panels to diffuse light without blocking it.

Consider placing a mirror across from a window to bounce light deeper into the room. This simple trick can make a small space feel bigger and brighter, instantly elevating the mood.

We created a guide to help you strategically maximize sunlight in your room. Check it out.

2. Bring Indoor Plants

Corner of a bright home with various potted indoor plants, including a large one in a woven basket.

Plants are the easiest and most affordable way to bring nature into your home. They offer a direct link to the living world. Place them on shelves, hang them in macrame holders, or cluster them on a windowsill.

Instead of buying large, expensive plants, start with smaller ones and let them grow. Try low-maintenance options like snake plants or pothos. It’s also a smart idea to incorporate air-purifying plants, a claim backed by NASA research.

3. Display Natural Materials

Interior showcasing natural materials: woven rattan chair, wood cabinet, cacti, and textured wall finish.

Using natural materials is another easy way to achieve biophilic design without overspending. Wood, bamboo, rattan, cork, and stone accents instantly add warmth and texture to your space.

For example, you can bring a rattan chair, a bamboo tray, or a wooden lamp into your room.

There are also other ways to do this completely free. Take weekend nature walks and collect interesting branches, smooth stones, pinecones, and driftwood. These free materials make stunning centerpieces and seasonal displays that change throughout the year.

Make your design personal and unique. However, be sure to clean and sanitize any outdoor materials before bringing them inside. It’s better to be safe.

4. Design Budget-Friendly Living Walls

Close-up of a vibrant, multi-layered vertical garden or living wall with different types of foliage.

Try creating your own living wall or vertical garden. Mount a wooden pallet vertically, line the back with landscape fabric, fill it with soil, and plant succulents or herbs in the spaces between the slats.

Not sure where to start? Check out a quick tutorial on YouTube. We know this may seem like an ambitious project. But who knows, you might enjoy the process as much as the result.

5. Play with Water and Sound

A tabletop water fountain surrounded by balanced stones, shells, and a lit candle for tranquility and nature sounds.

The sound of trickling water is one of the most soothing elements in nature. It can calm the mind, mask distracting noises, and add a sense of peace to any room. You can capture this feeling with a simple tabletop fountain.

You can easily find them online. Of course, you can easily DIY this with a decorative ceramic bowl, a small submersible pump, and a handful of river stones.

Once you’ve assembled your fountain, place it on a side table or desk. This small, personal feature provides a powerful sensory experience.

6. Use Natural Color or Nature-Inspired Patterns

Bedroom with bold floral wallpaper, patterned fabrics, and French doors leading to outdoor light.

Even if you can’t add real plants everywhere, you can still bring nature indoors through decor. Leaf-patterned pillows, floral rugs, wood-grain wallpaper, or woven baskets can all create that biophilic vibe.

Another simple trick is to use earthy tones. Try painting one accent wall in deep forest green or warm terracotta to mimic the natural environment.

7. Bring in the Warmth of Firelight

Three lit scented candles and bundles of lavender, representing natural scents and warm light in a biophilic space.

Not everyone realizes it, but fire is also a biophilic element. The most obvious way to bring it into your home is with a fireplace. But in the Philippines, that may not be the most practical option.

Instead, start small with budget-friendly touches. Try a cluster of candles on your coffee table or lanterns that give off a cozy glow. You can even enhance the experience with scented candles paired with a wooden candle warmer.

Just remember to be careful. Never leave candles or open flames unattended to avoid accidents.

Your Biophilic Journey Starts Today

Our homes always feel better when nature is part of them. But biophilic design works best when it feels natural to you. Start with what resonates, adapt it to your space, and let it grow over time.

If you’re ready to start building your sanctuary, you can get inspired by browsing our collection of wooden furniture and other natural pieces. Visit our store in Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok to avail of promos and find the perfect pieces to complete your biophilic home.