The modern barndominium has evolved far beyond its rural agricultural roots. Once considered a practical and cost-effective solution for living spaces attached to barns, today’s barndominiums (or “barndos”) are architectural statements — versatile, stylish, and increasingly focused on wellness and sustainability. One of the most exciting design trends shaping these unique homes is biophilic design, an approach that integrates natural elements into built environments to improve human well-being.
Incorporating biophilic principles into a barndominium is especially rewarding. Barndos, with their open layouts, high ceilings, and flexible structural systems, provide the perfect canvas for connecting interior spaces with the beauty of the outdoors. This blog explores what biophilic design is, why it matters, and how to bring nature indoors in ways that transform both the look and feel of your barndominium.
Understanding Biophilic Design
The term “biophilia” refers to humans’ innate affinity for nature. We’re biologically wired to respond positively to natural environments — the sound of water, the sight of trees, natural daylight, fresh air, and organic textures all help reduce stress, boost productivity, and improve overall mood.
Biophilic design is the architectural response to this need. It’s not simply about adding houseplants (although they help), but about creating environments that mimic natural systems and strengthen the connection between people and the natural world.
Key Principles of Biophilic Design
- Visual Connection with Nature
Incorporating views of greenery, water, and natural landscapes from inside the home. - Natural Light
Maximizing daylight through windows, skylights, and open layouts. - Natural Materials
Using wood, stone, clay, wool, and other organic materials for finishes and furnishings. - Natural Patterns and Forms
Designing with organic shapes and fractals found in the natural world. - Indoor-Outdoor Flow
Seamless transitions between indoor living spaces and outdoor areas, like patios and gardens. - Sensory Engagement
Integrating sound (flowing water, wind chimes), scent (aromatic plants, wood), and touch (textured surfaces) for a holistic experience.
Barndominiums are already known for their spacious, airy interiors, making them ideal candidates for biophilic upgrades.
Why Choose Biophilic Design for Barndominiums?
Adopting biophilic principles in your barndominium isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about improving how you feel and function in your space. Here’s why it’s worth considering:
- Improved Health and Well-being: Studies show that exposure to natural elements lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety, and promotes mental clarity.
- Enhanced Aesthetics: Biophilic design creates warm, inviting interiors that feel alive rather than sterile or industrial.
- Increased Property Value: Homes designed with sustainable, wellness-focused elements attract modern buyers who prioritize healthy living environments.
- Energy Efficiency: Thoughtful placement of windows, natural ventilation, and shading can reduce energy costs while maintaining comfort.
- Resilience and Sustainability: By relying more on natural light, ventilation, and sustainable materials, your barndominium becomes environmentally friendlier.
In short, biophilic design turns a barndominium from a unique house into a living home — one that supports your body and soul.
Strategies for Bringing Nature Indoors
Here’s where inspiration meets action. Whether you’re designing a new barndominium or remodeling an existing one, these strategies will help you integrate biophilic principles effectively.
- Maximize Natural Light and Views
Barndominiums often have tall walls and flexible framing, which are ideal for installing large windows, glass doors, or skylights.
- Consider floor-to-ceiling windows on walls facing scenic views or gardens.
- Use clerestory windows (high-set windows near the roofline) to bring light deep into the interior.
- Install glass garage-style doors in living or dining areas to create dramatic indoor-outdoor transitions.
- If privacy is a concern, use strategic landscaping outside windows instead of closing off light.
Natural daylight regulates circadian rhythms, improves mood, and helps indoor plants thrive — all core aspects of biophilic living.
- Use Organic Materials and Textures
A key aspect of biophilic design is surrounding yourself with authentic natural materials.
- Opt for exposed wooden beams or reclaimed wood ceilings to maintain rustic charm.
- Incorporate stone countertops, slate tiles, or river rock backsplashes for tactile interest.
- Use linen, wool, jute, and cotton for fabrics to avoid synthetic coldness.
- Choose eco-friendly finishes that highlight the natural grain and texture of wood and stone.
These materials not only look and feel great but also age gracefully, adding character over time.
- Integrate Indoor Plants and Green Walls
Plants are the most direct and visible form of biophilic design. They purify air, reduce stress, and bring seasonal variation into your home.
- Use large potted plants in open corners to soften angular interiors.
- Create a living green wall in a dining area or entryway for a dramatic natural focal point.
- Grow herbs in a sunny kitchen for both beauty and function.
- Consider hanging planters near windows or structural columns for vertical greenery.
For low-maintenance options, choose hardy species like snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, or peace lilies.
- Design with Water and Air Movement
The sound of water and the sensation of airflow are deeply soothing.
- Install a small indoor fountain or tabletop water feature in a lounge or meditation space.
- Design cross-ventilation through strategically placed windows to bring in fresh air and cool interiors naturally.
- Add ceiling fans or operable skylights to mimic the gentle, natural flow of air.
Even subtle sensory cues can significantly enhance the natural ambiance indoors.
- Create Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Connections
Barndominiums often sit on spacious lots — take advantage of this by designing spaces that feel continuous with the outdoors.
- Build covered patios, decks, or pergolas adjacent to main living areas.
- Use matching flooring materials (or similar tones) to create a visual link between indoor and outdoor spaces.
- Frame outdoor views intentionally, like a tree perfectly aligned with a dining room window or a firepit visible from a cozy nook.
This not only increases usable living space but also enhances seasonal enjoyment of your property.
- Incorporate Nature-Inspired Patterns and Shapes
Even when direct natural elements aren’t possible, biomorphic forms — shapes and patterns that mimic nature — can provide similar psychological benefits.
- Use leaf or wave-inspired tile patterns in bathrooms and kitchens.
- Choose rounded or asymmetrical furniture over rigid, boxy designs.
- Integrate woven textures in rugs, baskets, and light fixtures.
These subtle cues help soften industrial lines and keep interiors feeling warm and approachable.
- Prioritize Healthy Indoor Environments
A true biophilic design supports not just visual connection but air quality, comfort, and sensory balance.
- Use low-VOC paints and finishes to keep air clean.
- Ensure ample ventilation with operable windows, vent fans, and filtration systems.
- Integrate sound-absorbing materials to prevent echo and promote tranquility.
Combining environmental quality with natural aesthetics creates a space that feels alive without feeling chaotic.
Case Study: A Biophilic Barndominium in Action
Imagine a 2,500-square-foot steel-frame barndominium with vaulted ceilings and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining space. Here’s how biophilic principles transform it:
- A wall of south-facing glass opens onto a native-plant garden and patio.
- Reclaimed oak floors and cedar-clad ceilings bring warmth and texture.
- A living green wall in the dining area becomes a visual centerpiece, also improving indoor air quality.
- Indoor and outdoor furniture share similar tones and materials, blurring boundaries between the spaces.
- A central skylight above the kitchen island brings sunlight deep into the heart of the home.
- Natural ventilation strategies reduce reliance on mechanical cooling while maintaining comfort.
The result is a home that doesn’t just shelter its occupants — it nurtures them.
Final Thoughts
Biophilic design represents more than a trend. It’s part of a larger shift toward healthier, more sustainable, and emotionally resonant living spaces. In barndominiums, this approach makes perfect sense. With their adaptable layouts, robust construction, and open spatial qualities, barndos can incorporate nature in ways that feel organic, not forced.
Whether through expansive glazing, natural materials, indoor greenery, or thoughtful sensory design, bringing nature indoors enhances both the practicality and beauty of your home. More importantly, it creates a space where life — in every sense — flourishes.