Many of us yearn for nature, regardless of whether or not we live in a lush neighbourhood full of greenery or if we feel stuck in the doldrums of a concrete jungle.
Incorporating natural elements within our very own homes is certainly not a new trend, but it’s become widely understood and appreciated through biophilia, an “innate affinity of life or living systems” first coined by Erich Fromm of the Frankfurt School. It is an attraction to that which is natural, something which architects and designers have long incorporated in their buildings with great benefit to communities worldwide.
How can you incorporate natural elements in a dual occupancy home? Below are a few key tips:
01. Use Indoor Plants & Gardens
Starting off with one of the simplest and perhaps most obvious ways to incorporate biophilia in your dual occupancy home is to use indoor plants and/or have an indoor garden.
Hanging ferns and leaving potted plants near a window and strategically throughout your living space can make your home feel much more cosy and natural. Similarly, growing herbs indoors such as basil or mint can freshen up your meals whilst also adding a biophilic effect.
02. Living Walls
For a truly natural aesthetic, few elements make as strong of a statement as living walls. While a little more complex than leaving some potted plants in your living room, growing and tending to a living wall with lush vegetation can make your home feel very earthy indeed.
Living walls tend to be grown outdoors, and it’s important to have them constructed using proper drainage systems, soil media, and with appropriate vegetation such as mosses, ferns, and succulents that don’t mind growing sideways.
03. Let In The Light
Offices just about everywhere nowadays understand the importance of natural light, and homeowners should likewise be striving to let as much in as possible. This helps to reduce energy bills during the daytime, which is a nice benefit, but natural light is also quite healthy and comforting.
Open up spaces in your dual occupancy home as much as possible to allow for maximum natural light to come in and light up your cosy spaces. Since dual occupancy homes tend to be smaller than traditional detached dwellings, it shouldn’t be as challenging to illuminate living areas. Developers and architects that specialise in dual occupancy living can design your home for maximum natural sunlight.
04. Use Wooden Accents
A cornerstone of biophilia – even before the term was coined – is the use of wood within the home. Naturally, wood historically and even today is used structurally as well as decoratively for its many wonderful qualities.
Whether your home design is more traditional, using wood everywhere, or you prefer a more contemporary style, adding wooden accents can make a home feel more relaxing and welcoming.
05. Maximise Outdoor Garden Space
Just like how greenery is important for home interiors, it’s needed in outdoor areas as well. Dual occupancy homes may have small gardens due to size constraints, or the developer may design a shared garden space for tenants to use. Either way, make clever use of the garden space to make it feel like a retreat much like how traditional English gardens are used.
Trevor Homes
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