Biophilic Design – How to improve the working environment with office plants

Biophilic design is an approach that seeks to reconnect people with nature. In the workplace, this is evident, for example, in the use of plants to ‘green up’ office environments, thereby creating a more focused, productive and comfortable atmosphere.

This improves working, whether alone or in a team, not just in the short term but also in the long run. This is because natural elements signal safety and well-being and bring life, colour and a sense of natural balance to spaces that might otherwise feel rather sterile. 

Plants help break up monotonous surfaces and, when combined with the right armchair, sofa, table or shelf, create a harmonious and welcoming atmosphere in the workplace, making the space feel more inviting and comfortable.

With a room divider such as the se:lab mobile planter, you can create green walls of office plants that provide privacy while maintaining a sense of openness. Wooden furniture (e.g. se:café team table) and fabric-covered elements (e.g. se:dot stool) also harmonise particularly well alongside office greenery. Soft, rounded shapes, such as the se:living armchairs, also emphasise the natural feel. Natural tones and coordinated materials such as cork, linen and felt enhance the calming effect of the plants’ greenery.

During short breaks, a natural environment contributes to relaxation and helps restore energy and focus. Simply being around office plants can aid the recovery of attention levels, whilst the connection to nature enhances general well-being, reduces stress and promotes the potential for relaxation in the working environment.

Work environments that incorporate biophilic design are often associated with higher levels of cognitive performance and productivity, compared to those that do not. This is partly because plants in the office improve indoor air quality, thereby also enhancing concentration whilst working. Furthermore, they absorb sound and help to reduce office noise. Furthermore, green spaces in the office can create meeting points for informal encounters and shared breaks.