When you think of a calming environment, you may automatically jump to images of spa-like rooms, flooded with ambient light, pale colors, and a touch of greenery. But why are so many spas designed like that? The answer is wrapped up in the theory of biophilic design. While the average person spends more than 90% of their time indoors, healthcare professionals, scientific researchers, and architects alike have realized that there is an innate benefit in fostering a connection to nature for humans, even if it means creating one within the built environment.

Incorporating indoor plants is just one factor of this wide-ranging theory of design, which may also include light, the types and colors of materials used, and even the shape of the building as a whole. Designers first applied the theory to hospitals and healing environments but have since recognized the benefits in an application for everyday interior environments, from commercial gyms to corporate offices. Studies have found a stronger connection to nature can provide the human body with a source of stress relief, boost creativity, and enhance the ability to focus, turning biophilic design into a sought-after trend.

Forging a connection to nature at home, especially in rooms that offer a chance to recharge, is more important than ever. Ready to renovate your bathroom with a biophilic design? Consider the following five ways to bring the outdoors in.

1. AMPLIFY NATURAL LIGHT.

Whether it’s enlarging windows or adding skylights, more access to natural light is a proven method for improving mood, balancing circadian rhythm, and boosting an overall sense of well-being. Natural light also has the power to completely transform rooms from a design perspective—enhancing the way we perceive color and texture. Natural light is also dynamic, changing the tone of the room throughout the day and by season, creating a more connected, fluid experience from inside the home.

No way to include true natural light? Consider adding natural-light-mimicking lightbulbs, which offer softer, color spectrum-balanced light that has shown many of the same benefits for boosting mood and relieving depression or seasonal affective disorder in scientific studies.

2. BRING ON THE BOTANICALS.

Plants are nature’s healers and incorporating plenty of them into your bathroom may have far-reaching positive effects. Researchers in the mental health field are studying the positive effects natural environments have on psychological well-being. The resulting studies indicate greenery, whether wild or cultivated gardens, may offer relief from stress, depression, and ADHD and may even increase intellectual performance, from creativity to productivity. If your home has proximity to natural landscapes, you may emphasize the view from your bathroom. If you have access to natural light, consider bringing the greenery indoors by adding houseplants.

You can also use genuinely natural items (that don’t need to be watered!):

• Stone sinks, floor tiles, wall tiles, and shower tiles
• Shellacked, varnished, or raw wood vanities
• Exposed wood ceiling beams (or faux beams)
• Stone soaker tubs
• Bamboo bathmats

3. BUILD IN A HOME STEAM BATH.

From pouring water over heated rocks to produce steam in sweat lodges to taking advantage of the steam from volcanic hot springs, nearly every ancient civilization has a steam tradition. And it’s no wonder: the soothing and wellness-bolstering capabilities of this natural wonder are well-documented, from soothing irritated airways to skin care.

4. MAKE SCENTS.

Another way to bring nature in is Aromatherapy. Extracted from sources such as flowers, fruits, or leaves, essential oils are thought to tap into the human nervous system through smell. From electronic diffusers to roll-on oils, there are many ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your routine.

5. GET CREATIVE WITH COLOUR.

While sandy beige and sage greens are great biophilic colors, consider tapping into your favorite landscapes, such as deep blue glacial lakes, earthy red Sedona mountains, or the blush pink of a summer sunset, for your color story. To create your color palette, start with a landscape reference photo you love and collect other interior design images, materials, and color swatches that channel the same essence of your chosen photo. The resulting mood board, whether you make it physically or digitally, will make choosing décor easier and make the connection to nature both intentional and memorable.

Choose a transparent glass shower enclosure to show off the marble tile. If you have marble or other stone shower tile, don’t hide it behind a shower curtain. A clear frameless shower enclosure is the best option for containing water while showing off marble tiles. Products are available for just about any shower stall and bathroom:

• Fixed or hinged shower screen
• French doors
• In-line door and panel
• Rolling “barn style” door system
• The neo-angle corner shower enclosure
• The right-angle corner shower enclosure
• Custom enclosure designs

If you have a black thumb or no bathroom window, you can still enjoy some of the beauty of plants through your choice of wallpaper. Both peel-and-stick and traditional products are popular right now, especially if they have nature-based patterns.