Biophilic Design Room-By-Room: Biophilic Bathroom Design

The bathroom is a functional room that’s present in every home. But it can be a lot more than that, becoming nothing short of a domestic self-care sanctuary. And even aiming at broader objectives…

Let’s explore how to give bathrooms a deeper value through biophilic interior design.

Credit: Ato

A Space for the Self in Your Bathroom

Together with the bedroom, the bathroom is a space dedicated to the self, a personal refuge. Bathroom time is also what marks two crucial points in the day: the transition from night to daytime and vice-versa.

Separating activity and rest is important from both a mental and physical perspective, and bathroom design can help make the most of these moments, leading to fruitful days and restful nights. Continue reading for some inspiring biophilic bathroom design ideas.

Credit: Nainoa

Harmonizing Opposites: Leveraging Lighting in Your Bathroom Design

Marking the transition between day and night means that a bathroom’s atmosphere needs to be energizing or relaxing according to the occasion. One sure way to achieve that is lighting. Shifting from bright to subtle, light will transform how the space feels, moving mind and body between energy and relaxation.

Credit: Nazar Tsymbaliuk

Sensory Design

Just like sensory features are key to self-care, sensory design elements find an ideal application in the bathroom. This being a function-oriented room, the bathroom design will introduce sensory elements mostly as part of the space’s functions. Surfaces will then become rich textures to touch, sounds and scents will enrich the experience, and windows will offer living entertainment and a view of the outdoors.

Credit: Alex & Corban

Credit: Il Granito

Leveraging the Presence of Water

Water is an obvious element of any bathroom, so why not work on it? From a design perspective, faucets, showers, and bathtubs are all occasions to introduce water features that engage the senses through the unique sound and feel of water.

Looking at things from a broader perspective, running water is sometimes taken for granted in our modern homes, and design can restore deeper awareness of this important resource. This goes from using water efficiently to reusing it whenever possible. But it also means recalling where it comes from. Clearwater is clearly not born inside pipes, so how can we connect domestic water usage with the natural water cycle?

Credit: Antonio Lupi

Final Thoughts on Biophilic Bathroom Design

All in all, the bathroom is an important room for personal well-being, but it can also become the occasion to appreciate things that – before becoming amenities in buildings – are precious natural resources to value and care for. This is what biophilic bathroom design does, it elevates daily needs to pleasures while cultivating the awareness of our place in this world. All through design. Check out our bathroom design app and room layout planner app today to get started!

This article was written by Silvia from Anooi.

Meet The Author

Silvia is an interior designer and content creator who resides in Switzerland. For her, interior design is way more than aesthetics. That's why she says that she's on a mission to make interiors good for our well-being and our planet.

Both on clients' projects and on the blog, her work focuses on:

Biophilic Design: wellbeing-centered interiors that take inspiration from nature.

Sustainable Design: products & materials that are mindful of the environment and support the development of a circular economy.

Check out her Blog, Instagram & Pinterest!