From Peak District calm to Manchester living: what Biophilic Design can do for your home
Hello – I’m writing from a little house in the Peak District – less than an hour from Manchester, but it feels like another world.
It’s late afternoon and already the light is starting to fade. The clocks went back last weekend, and with the shift comes that familiar drop in energy and mood. Stepping out of the city and into nature – even just for a few days – is a lovely reminder of how much the outdoors affects our wellbeing.
That feeling doesn’t have to be limited to weekends away in the countryside. With a few thoughtful design choices, we can bring nature into our homes and make everyday life in Manchester feel calmer, brighter, and more connected – even on the darkest, wettest weekday.
This blog is part of my monthly interiors series in collaboration with the brilliant team at JP & Brimelow – a local estate agency known not just for helping people move, but for genuinely caring about the South Manchester community.
I love working with JP & Brimelow because they get that a home isn’t just about bricks and mortar – it’s about creating a space that truly supports the life you want to live.
Check out their blog for more great advice if you’re thinking of buying or selling, or want to know more about South Manchester’s beautiful neighbourhoods and local businesses.
What Is Biophilic Design - And Why Does It Matter Right Now?
Biophilic design is about making our homes feel more aligned with nature – using light, texture, greenery and layout to create a space that helps us feel more balanced. It can help energise us during the day and support rest when we need it. And at this time of year, when natural light is reducing fast, that kind of support is worth prioritising.
In practical terms, it’s about improving:
- Sleep and energy levels
- Mood and focus
- Air quality and comfort
- That general sense that your home is a space that works with you, not against you
It’s especially relevant in northern homes like ours. Grey skies and limited daylight hours throw off our circadian rhythm – the internal body clocks that influence our sleep, mood and concentration. Designing with these rhythms in mind can make a noticeable difference to how we feel.
How to Use Circadian Lighting at Home
We rely on artificial light more than ever in winter – but most lighting isn’t designed with our wellbeing in mind. Bright, blue-toned light late in the day can make it harder to wind down at night. That’s where circadian-supporting lighting comes in.
This doesn’t have to mean rewiring your whole house. You could:
- Switch to warm white bulbs (3000K or lower) in bedrooms and living areas
- Add dimmers or smart bulbs in work zones to shift light temperature through the day
- Try gradient LED strips that adapt to your body’s rhythm
- For darker rooms, consider artificial daylight panels, which are designed to replicate the feeling of daylight – especially useful in basements, windowless rooms, or north-facing spaces
Even small changes like switching your desk lamp to a daylight bulb during work hours, then turning it off and relying on softer lighting in the evening, can help your body reset.
The Easiest Way In: Houseplants That Work in UK Homes
Biophilic design often starts with plants – and for good reason. Houseplants clean the air, add visual softness, and are proven to reduce stress. But not everyone has the time (or luck) to keep an array of plants and trees alive.
Here are six tried-and-tested, Manchester-friendly houseplants to get started with:
Natural Materials with a Manchester Edge
Biophilic design doesn’t mean copying a Californian plant-filled Pinterest board. Let’s talk about what works here, in Manchester homes – especially period terraces, Victorian semis, and new builds with small gardens.
Here’s a more grounded take, with locally relevant materials:
Living Walls
Living walls are often seen in hotels or offices, but they can absolutely be adapted for home life. You don’t need a full floor-to-ceiling installation with irrigation systems. In everyday homes, it could be as simple as:
- A herb wall in the kitchen: using wall-mounted planters or pocket organisers
- Trailing plants on open shelving: a great way to soften harder lines in kitchens or living spaces
- A vertical plant frame in a hallway, bathroom, or home office: ideal for small homes with limited floor space
They not only look good but help improve air quality and bring that small-but-significant sense of life to a space.
The key is to work with your space, not against it. Whether it’s a few herbs by the window or a more ambitious DIY wall garden, the impact of greenery can be genuinely mood-lifting – especially during the darker months.
Why This Matters – Especially in Winter
This isn’t about styling your home for another trend. It’s about making the places where we live and work feel better.
When the weather turns and it’s harder to get outside, our homes become our everything – office, retreat, playroom, hosting space. A few natural elements can shift the mood of a whole room and support your wellbeing without you even realising it.
Even one plant. One softer lightbulb. One tactile throw or piece of reclaimed stoneware.
And if you get the chance – take a Sunday trip out to the Peak District. Remind yourself what real calm in nature feels like. Then come home and recreate just a little bit of that feeling inside your own home.
Ready to create a space that truly supports your lifestyle and well-being?
Book a consultation to start exploring your vision.
If you’d like to see more of my approach or find inspiration grounded in well-being and design, stay connected by following along on:
