Bringing the Outdoors In: Incorporating Natural Elements into Your Bathroom Design

A rising trend in bathroom design is bringing the outdoors in by using and featuring natural elements such as wood, natural stone, or lush greenery. As we spend over 90% of our lives indoors – be it in offices, homes or other built environments – healthcare experts and environmental psychologists have recognised our human need for more connection with nature. Numerous studies have shown that bringing the outdoors in through biophilic design has psychological and physiological benefits since strengthening this bond can relieve stress, boost productivity, and elevate overall health and happiness.

Often referred to as “Biophilic Design,” this approach creates indoor spaces that reflect the beauty of nature. While its aesthetic is calming and timeless, this new design trend benefits from its ability to use a wide range of neutral tones, making it easy to incorporate into diverse interior styles.

There may be no better place to experience the positive impacts of bringing the outdoors in than the bathroom—the most intimate space in a home. A new bathroom should calm the mind and rejuvenate the body and soul. However, incorporating living plants and greenery is just one facet of this holistic trend, as natural and artificial lighting textures and colours are equally important.

For a biophilic bathroom design that recreates a calming atmosphere, here are some tips on how you can bring the outdoors in:

Welcome Greenery

Nothing embodies nature like living plants in a home, and incorporating an abundance of botanicals into your bathroom design can make a big impact on your mental well-being. From cultivated houseplants to planted privacy screens, the sight and feel of lush greenery while getting ready in the morning is hard to beat. 

If your bathroom is fortunate enough to have windows overlooking a garden, landscaping or other natural vistas, emphasise and maximise those views. If you have access to a natural light source, consider bringing the greenery indoors through potted plants, wall gardens or planted shelving. 

Natural Light

Whether by enlarging windows or adding skylights, increased access to natural daylight is a proven design hack for boosting mood and overall well-being. Natural light has the power to transform spaces and has a large impact on how we perceive colour, texture, and depth. 

If increasing natural light isn’t feasible, consider adding light bulbs that mimic natural daylight. These bulbs offer a soft, full-colour-spectrum illumination that provides almost the same mood-boosting benefits. Strategically placed mirrors are also a common, natural way to amplify and reflect light.

Incorporate Raw Materials

When wanting to add more natural elements to your bathroom design, an excellent way to start is with a rug or larger bathmat. With a variety of organic materials to choose from, like hemp, wool, and jute, you are bound to find the perfect floor covering for your bathroom. Raw linen curtains can drape playfully throughout the space, while another clear way of adding more natural elements to your bathroom design is to go for wood furniture. 

Natural stone shines beautifully when incorporated into bathrooms. It can serve as striking tiling, a rustic platform for appliances, or even stepping stones in the shower surrounded by polished pebbles.

Use Natural Colours

White and grey stone pair exquisitely in minimalist settings, while rich cherry and dark wood furnishings can be dressed up or down to complement any theme. The trendy neutral hues like taupe, tan, and camel are ideal for soft wall coverings or rugs. Painting your wall in a calming colour like sage will create a subtle, colourful feeling to your space instead of only going for beiges. This type of green also goes well when decorating your bathroom interior with plants. Using a soft colour on your walls makes it much easier to incorporate earthy tones throughout the bathroom.

Integrate Steam Baths

From the ancient practice of pouring water over heated rocks to generate steam in traditional sweat lodges, to the luxury of taking a bath in volcanic hot springs, nearly every civilisation across history has enjoyed the purifying, calming benefits of the steam bath. The deeply relaxing effects of this natural wonder are multifaceted, from soothing irritated airways to providing holistic skincare.

Integrating this natural steam element into your biophilic bathroom is not only pampering and luxurious but environmentally friendly, too. Filling a large jet-spa tub requires upwards of 380 litres of water, and an eight-minute shower uses around 65 litres, while immersing yourself in a 20-minute steam bath requires only about 5.5 litres. 

Scent with Aromatherapy  

Another powerful way of bringing nature indoors is through aromatherapy with pure essential oils. Aromas like lavender, chamomile and bergamot are renowned for their calming and soothing effects. At the same time, scents like eucalyptus, peppermint and lemon can energise the senses and promote feelings of mental clarity. From electronic diffusers to scented candles and bath oils, there are many ways to incorporate the power of aromatherapy into your nature-inspired bathroom design. 

Revitalise Your Bathroom Design

However, expertly integrating biophilic design principles into a functional, aesthetically pleasing bathroom transformation takes skill and technical knowledge. When preparing to revamp your bathroom and bring the power of nature indoors, it is wise to collaborate with experienced bathroom designers and vetted installation professionals like Betta Wardrobes. 

Our practical know-how combined with creativity is invaluable for ensuring your new bathroom perfectly balances beauty and purpose. Let our seasoned experts guide you through every step of your bathroom design, from conceptualising your vision and selecting the perfect natural materials and accents to mapping out lighting and other infrastructural needs. 

Whether working on a full-scale renovation or a sustainable refresh, our skilled designers can seamlessly blend living greenery, wood tones, stone features, and more into a cohesive, functional design that calms your senses while meeting all your practical requirements. With our 46 years of expertise, we can craft the personal oasis you’ve dreamed of. Schedule a consultation today and visit our website for more home enhancement tips like walk-in wardrobes and bathroom storage hacks.