Over the past few years, there’s been a noticeable shift in how people view their homes. No longer is it only a place to sleep and shelter. Now, it’s our office, gym, and sanctuary. And in an age where we spend most of our lives indoors and grappling with chronic stress, our living spaces have never been more crucial to our health and happiness.

Enter biophilic design, an increasingly popular design philosophy that brings the beauty of the outside world inside to restore balance, improve health, and foster connection with nature. It’s more than just aesthetics—it’s a movement redefining how we live.

At the forefront of this movement is Dayhouse Studio–an award-winning Utah-based design firm that blends artistry with scientific research to curate spaces that truly heal. Dorothy Huntsman, founder of Dayhouse has seen this shift firsthand. “People are more intentional about creating homes that support their mental health and overall wellness now,” she observes. “There’s definitely a growing interest in approaches that make homes feel healthier and more balanced. For example, wellness spaces are trending big time.”

Biophilic design isn’t just about placing a few potted plants around your home. It’s an intentional approach of designing a space to make you feel like you’re a part of nature–even when indoors. It incorporates natural materials, light, air, and even sound to create environments that mimic the patterns and rhythms of nature. Think expansive windows that flood a space with daylight, layered lighting, water features, soothing nature sounds in the background, and rich organic textures like wood, stone, and woven fibers that engage the senses.

The impact of this approach is profound. Studies have shown biophilic environments can reduce stress, boost productivity, and even support healing. Huntsman explains, “We spend so much time inside, disconnected from the natural world. Biophilic design is about closing that gap—it’s about making your home a sanctuary that actively supports your well-being.”

The Vision Behind Dayhouse Studio

Dayhouse Studio began as a traditional interior design firm, but it evolved into something much more personal. Huntsman, who has a background in fashion, construction, and life coaching, found herself on her own health journey, which reshaped her perspective on design. “I realized our homes could be a space that fosters healing,” she shares. “That changed everything for me.”

Dayhouse operates with one simple goal: to help people feel better and improve their health using their homes. They thrive at the intersection of creativity, science, sustainability, and wellness.

Every Dayhouse project is tailored to the individual client and purposefully designed to be beautiful and based on evidence-based strategies to foster mental and physical well-being. Eco-friendly materials are also at the center of every design, because they recognize the health of the planet is as important as the health of those living in the spaces they create.

For Huntsman, partnering with clients to develop personal solutions is deeply meaningful. “For me, the most gratifying part is seeing the transformation—not just of a home, but of people. Watching someone light up because their home finally feels like a place they can thrive—that’s everything.”

Dayhouse Studio takes the science of embracing nature to enhance well-being seriously. And this passion extends beyond design projects into the world of scientific research.

Their first peer-reviewed article, Healthy Dwelling, was published in “The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” with collaborating partner, OMNI Self-care. Their research explored how customizing home environments using biophilic design paired with self-care practices can actively support individuals living with chronic conditions like depression, migraines, and chronic pain.

“Even small changes—adding indoor plants, increasing exposure to natural light, incorporating sensory elements like soothing sounds, and weaving self-care practices into daily routines—can significantly improve healing, mood, and stress levels,” Huntsman explains.

The response to the research published by Dayhouse has been incredibly positive, reflecting the growing interest in this approach. Most recently, the team released another article in February, introducing the concept of the Therapeutic Home Environment. This new research further explores how the home can be an active participant in health, showing how intentional design can alleviate chronic medical conditions.

“We’re not just designing homes,” Huntsman explains. “This research is a step toward transforming the way we think about wellness in our living spaces.”

3 Easy Ways to Bring Nature Into Your Home

For those looking to incorporate biophilic design principles into their own spaces, Huntsman offers 3 simple tips to get started:

1. Let there be light: Open curtains, swap out heavy blinds, and use mirrors to bounce sunlight throughout the space. Natural light plays a crucial role in regulating mood and energy levels, so let as much of it in as possible.
2. Go green: From small potted herbs in the kitchen to large statement plants in the living room, plants not only purify the air but also cut down stress and enhance emotional well-being. No green thumb? Nature-inspired artwork and a few artificial plants can give you a similar effect.
3. Engage the senses: Incorporate natural scents like lavender or eucalyptus, textured materials like wood and stone, and calming sounds like flowing water or nature playlists. Engaging multiple senses deepens the connection to nature and enhances relaxation. “Imagine sitting in a room bathed in natural light, surrounded by plants, and hearing soft natural sounds,” Huntsman continues. “It’s hard not to feel calmer and more centered.”

Looking to the Future

The journey for Dayhouse Studio is about changing lives through design. And it extends beyond single residential projects with a vision of making a global impact.
Their digital magazine, Dayhouse Living, shares the science of biophilic design to help readers explore how they can use nature to improve their own health. And Huntsman envisions a future where entire communities will be built with well-being in mind. “Our goal is to be a massively positive force in the world,” she says. “To inspire and implement the transformative principles of biophilic design, self-care practices, sustainability, and farm-to-table living globally.”

As biophilic design gains momentum, one thing is clear: the homes of the future won’t just be beautiful. They’ll be intentionally designed to support our health and happiness.