It's official: biophilic design is very much in for 2025. The aesthetic is characterized by natural, warm materials, contemporary sensibilities, and lots of plants, and it is anticipated to continue to permeate interiors for the next while.
Courteney Cox is on board the trend, as evidenced by a recent Instagram post, in which she is playing drums in her living room. While the musical skills are on display, we couldn't help but admire the interiors surrounding the Friends star, particularly how indoor plants and large windows infuse the dark space with light and lush greenery.
While dark paint certainly creates a chic and sophisticated ambiance, it can veer on moodiness when there are no other elements present to disrupt it. Plants and natural light are the solution while still tapping into a timely design trend.
According to experts, incorporating natural materials into the home via plants is a great way to brighten up a space while adding textural interest, a la biophilic design practice.
'The humble houseplant was once derided as a naff moving-in present, but that’s all changed,' says Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux. 'Now they have become a really important element of many people’s interior design schemes – helping their homes look good and improving their well-being into the bargain.'
In Courteney's space, we can see that she has placed potted plants on one side of the room and a larger tree in the opposite corner of the space. This creates a harmonious balance with voluminous leaves, bringing a lush feel to the modern area.
Additionally, decorating with plants yields endless benefits for mental health, making them a highly worthwhile investment, especially in the winter months.
'Being with nature provides a really welcome escape from stress - it helps you forget all the troubles of the outside world,' says plant expert Joe Bagley. 'We all spend so much of our daily lives glued to screens for work and for leisure that enjoying the natural world at home is the perfect way to detox and unplug. I use a lot of my plants to soften up my home by breaking up the rigid, right angles you find in most interiors.'
Naturally-made accessories are another great way to accent a biophilic space.
'The trend for all things natural and timeless uses simple and understated pieces and embraces natural materials such as wool, wicker, earthenware, and sun-drenched woods with a color palette of warm whites and neutrals,' adds design expert Lisa Conway.
Think stone pots for plants, like the ones in Courteney's living room, or rattan rugs for a cozy yet refined feel.
Shop the biophilic living room edit
This scalloped, footed pot has a perfect mix of round and curved details. It's just waiting to be paired with a sprawling indoor tree.
This woven jute rug adds an earthy feel to any living room . It would look beautiful under a brown sofa and with a glass coffee table.
This globe-shaped vase is an on-trend shade of brown, perfect for adding visual interest to a warm, neutral space. I love its matte texture that pairs perfectly with your favorite indoor plants.
Courteney's living room goes to show that the simple addition of a couple of house plants can really elevate and brighten even the darkest and most contemporary of spaces. Tie in a modern pot to keep the contemporary feel going.
