Biophilic Garden Design
Biophilia (meaning love of nature) is a term that describes humans' innate attraction to the natural world. Biophilic garden design trends are concerned with the practical interventions we can apply to reduce our gardening footprint and improve both environmental health and human wellbeing.
Biophilic garden design creates spaces that promote human-nature connection through elements like natural patterns, light, water, and local materials, leading to reduced stress and improved well-being. The concept has become a real talking point and is now becoming a popular trend within the design world. Particularly as concern for both our environment and mental wellbeing have moved firmly to the top of the agenda.
How to Incorporate Biophilic Design Into Your Space:
If you like the idea of biophilic design, consider incorporating some of the following elements:
Natural Materials
- Using natural materials is an easy way to evoke a sense of authenticity and blend seamlessly with the environment.
- Use natural materials like stone, wood and gravel in hardscape elements like pathways, benches, and pergolas.
- Permeable materials such as gravel are also a more environmentally friendly option.
Natural Shapes
- Incorporating curves, softened views, broken lines and sweeping shapes are a great way to give a natural feel to your design.
- Consider curved retaining walls, stepping stone pavers rather than solid paths, a weaving path to slow down the journey through the garden or planting right up to the edge of patios to break up the harsh lines.
Left: This ALDA garden design shows how using curves can create a soft natural feel.
Views from Within the House
- Creating beautiful views of your garden seen from the windows and doors of your home, can create a seamless connection between house and garden.
- Glimpses of nature from inside, can bring a calm energy into the home. Ideas for this include: a wide-open view of the garden seen through bifold doors; a water feature from a window; or the top of a tree from upstairs.
Water Features
- The sound of water has been proven to be a relaxing, calming element within a garden and no matter what size garden you have, a suitable water feature can be added.
- Incorporate water features like ponds, streams, or rain gardens to promote relaxation and attract aquatic life.
- These features are also great at shutting out any surrounding noise, allowing you to experience nature at its fullest.
Left: The Glasshouse Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2025 – a narrow rill winds through the garden ending in a tranquil pool.
Outdoor Seating
- An inviting outdoor seating area surrounded by plants and natural elements is a great biophilic design element.
- Adding seating areas that are away from the house give a more intimate, private, secluded feeling and the sense of being immersed in nature. This can be done by adding planting around the seating, to screen the area from the rest of the garden.
- Consider adding a fire pit into a seating space to add to the feel of the great outdoors.
- Even in the smallest of spaces, a place to pause and relax can be added. Add a pergola or arbor with a swing seat, or add a bench under a tree, or a hammock in a corner.
Sensory Engagement
- Include elements that engage the senses, such as aromatic plants, and textured materials.
- Choose scented sensory garden plants such as lavender and herbs, or textured foliage like ornamental grasses to help heighten the nature connection.
Seasonal Changes
- Planning for seasonal changes in your design, ensures it remains engaging and vibrant throughout the year. Choose plants that bloom at different times and display diverse foliage colours.
- The seasons can evoke different memories or feelings and working with the seasons and creating beautiful planting features throughout the year can help you feel connected to your outdoor space as the seasons change.
- Trees make great seasonal elements, especially if you choose species with seasonal highlights such as blossom in spring or spectacular autumn colour. Studies have proven that just looking at trees can make us feel calmer, happier and more creative. There are trees suitable for any size of garden.
Right: Crab apples are great for all season interest as well as attracting wildlife
Encourage Wildlife
- Encouraging wildlife into your space is an easy way to connect with nature. Install birdhouses, bat boxes, and insect hotels to provide shelter and nesting sites for various creatures.
- Also consider wildlife friendly plant species or native planting. Incorporating these elements encourages biodiversity and natural pest control.
From planning a new border to a complete garden remodel, we pride ourselves on transforming ideas into beautiful reality, with minimum disruption. If you’re based in or around the Reading and Newbury area, we’d love to meet and discuss your project in detail – book your free no-obligation garden consultation today.
Image Credits:
Freedom to Flourish Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2025; Insect hotel; Through the window; The Glasshouse Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2025; Firepit; Ornamental grass; Crab apple flowers; Great tit