5 nature-inspired bathrooms that nail the biophilic trend
With the guidance of leading design experts, we unpick the biophilic bathroom trend looking at why it's so popular and how to embrace it with five beautiful examples
Bathroom schemes that take their visual and sensory cues from nature are always timeless, but it does seem in 2025 we are seeing a resurgence in biophilic bathroom trends. In these spaces that are all about relaxation, self-care, and daily rituals, it's no surprise that designers are cleverly incorporating the mood-boosting properties of bringing the outdoors in.
It's been proven that being in nature creates feelings of calm, happiness, and positivity, so conjuring a sense of being outdoors in our home will of course have an impact on your mood. This is especially useful in the bathroom – as a space we use first thing in the morning setting the tone of the day, and last thing at night, so this space can also influence how we sleep and wind down for the evening.
Be it through earthy color schemes, organic materials, rustic textures, or botanical motifs, indoor-outdoor decorating is a great way to enhance your daily bathing routine, transforming an ordinary bathroom into a tranquil retreat. With these 5 examples of the rising bathroom trend, we unpick the straightforward ways to recreate the look in your own home.
1. Try a bathroom terrace
An outdoor shower recalls the freedom of washing in the open air – even when viewed from the comfort of your warm tub. ‘This home was partially inspired by my honeymoon trip to Bali, where I was struck by how seamlessly indoor and outdoor spaces were woven together,’ explains architect Elizabeth Baird Brown.
Since the entire house was focused on bringing the outdoors in, incorporating a courtyard moment into the primary bath space made perfect sense. Elizabeth seized the opportunity to bring in natural light, greenery, and also an outdoor shower, which is open to the sky.
2. Decorate with layers of soft greens
To truly immerse yourself in nature, decorating with green is the only way. In this bathroom, overlooking trees and flooded with natural light, the clients asked to be surrounded by green as part of their daily routine.
Architecture studio Bradley Van Der Straeten obliged, using textured but smooth plastered walls in earthy green and glossy finger mosaics with emerald-green depth. ‘We also brought in shape, practicality, and a focal point by placing the shower at one end within a circular, exaggerated sill to the window,’ says director George Bradley.
3. Incorporate a foliage mural
Using bathroom wallpaper is a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in, or even better, decorate inside the shower with specialist waterproof wallpaper. Choose nature-inspired patterns, such as lush botanicals or flowing water motifs, to create a calming and immersive atmosphere while maintaining practicality thanks to its waterproof properties.
‘Wall & decò’s waterproof wallpaper can be installed anywhere in the bathroom including directly inside the shower,' says Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. 'With a statement-making biophilic design, this pattern feels like it is enveloping you in nature – almost like you are showering outside in the Mediterranean.'
4. Welcome natural surfaces and materials
Go heavy on the texture, using rough-hewn surfaces and rugged reclaimed stone to evoke ‘off-the-beaten-track’ escapism. For this foliage-filled bathroom in his own home, Bert & May’s founder Lee Thornley channelled all his reclamation skills. ‘I’m obsessed with Spanish and Moroccan design and architecture, and we wanted to capture that aesthetic in this scheme,’ he explains.
He continues, ‘The variations in texture and tone around the vanity highlight the natural imperfections of the handcrafted bathroom tiles. We paired the vanity with reclaimed marble basins I sourced from Spain; their unique, raw finish perfectly complements the rustic feel of the space.’
5. Diffuse the light and add softness with a linen curtain
Natural linen curtains and exposed oak beams are a beautiful way to introduce texture and warmth into a biophilic bathroom scheme. ‘By pairing linen curtains with other natural materials you can enhance the cozy feel of a space without overwhelming it,’ says Holt Williamson of Cedar & Oak, who worked on this scheme with co-founder Lauren Williamson.
Holt explains, ‘This bathroom offers a quiet escape where oak trees just beyond the window seamlessly integrate into the design. The natural materials, soft curtains, and warm tones blend effortlessly, creating a space that feels both luxurious and grounding'.
By incorporating nature-inspired elements into a bathroom design, you can create a calming sanctuary that nurtures both body and mind. Whether it's through colors, materials, or plants, bringing a feeling of the outdoors into the bathroom enhances well-being and sets a positive tone for the day. As well as being a very chic and on-trend way to decorate, of course.
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Linda graduated from university with a First in Journalism, Film and Broadcasting. Her career began on a trade title for the kitchen and bathroom industry, and she has worked for Homes & Gardens, and sister-brands Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, since 2006, covering interiors topics, though kitchens and bathrooms are her specialism.
- Holly RansomeEditorial Assistant (print and digital)
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