What is biophilic decluttering? This 'return to nature mandate' will transform chaos to calm at home

If you're looking to restore calm at home, delving into what biophilic decluttering is may prove to be transformative.

It's no secret that decluttering trends and biophilic design are ever more popular, so why not combine the two?

Here, professional organizers share their decluttering tips to help you embrace a return to nature and welcome the outside in for a more organized and relaxing home.

What is biophilic decluttering?

Biophilic decluttering is about streamlining your belongings and then swapping plastic or conventional storage solutions for more nature-inspired options, such as wicker baskets, rattan, and linen, to make your space feel filled with nature. The hope is that seeing and enjoying this soothing natural aesthetic in a space will deter us from filling it with clutter.

To find out more about this new decluttering method, I spoke to Ben Soreff, a professional organizer at House to Home Organizing.

Simply put, says Ben, a room with a natural 'feel' isn't an area where you would feel comfortable collecting junk, helping you to break the stages of clutter for a more peaceful home.

He says, 'A relatively new approach to organizing, biophilic decluttering focuses on the home's environment as a cause for clutter, rather than tossing items.

'The goal of this method is to create a space filled with storage solutions based in nature. The way this works in practice is to avoid plastic bins, instead swapping them for storage baskets made of natural fibers or wood. This return to nature mandate makes the home feel more open and calm, and encourages less clutter to pile up.'

Chloe Barrow, interior expert at Laura James, adds, 'Biophilic decluttering focuses on creating a connection with nature by prioritizing natural, airy spaces.'

'You can also swap synthetic materials for stone, bamboo, linen, and mango wood to create a fresher, more open space. This helps to curate a home that feels open and harmonious, making it easier to maintain a clutter-free environment.'

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Why is biophilic decluttering a good way to create a calm and clutter-free home?

You can use the concept of biophilic decluttering to reduce visual clutter in a living room or clear visual clutter in the bedroom, but why is it so effective?

Di Ter Avest, professional organizer and founder of Diisorganized, explains, 'Because nature has this magic way of making us feel more relaxed! When you swap out clutter for natural elements, your home feels lighter, fresher, and way less overwhelming.

'Anyone looking for a calmer, more grounded home can benefit from it. It’s especially great for busy moms, work-from-home folks, or anyone who feels drained by clutter.

'It works in any space, but it’s extra powerful in places where you want to unwind – like your bedroom, living room, or home office. Even small touches can make a big difference! It’s all about creating a home that works for you, not against you, where your space and your well-being go hand in hand.'

But, as Ben warns, it's important to still adhere to core decluttering principles that run through each and every decluttering method, as you want the right system set up to be flexible.

'We want our belongings to "tell us" where they should live based on frequency of use,' he explains. 'We don't want to just swap out plastic bins for natural fiber ones. We want to review our items first. Storage ideas always come at the end of the project.'

FAQs

What is the concept of biophilic?

With Greek origins, biophilic literally translates to 'love of life.' Therefore, in our homes, this concept refers to architecture, interior design, and organization that mimics the natural world to improve well-being and create a calm environment.

So, whether it's storage solutions, paint colors or even biophilic bathroom designs, welcome nature into your space to get up to speed with this enduring trend.

Meet our experts

Ben Soreff

House to Home Organizing focuses on helping clients regain control of their space, turning messy homes into clutter-free sanctuaries, which is a core element of biophilic decluttering.

Di Ter Avest

Di is a busy wife and mother, and has helped hundreds of clients rethink their relationship with clutter. This is one of the founding principles of biophilic decluttering, helping you turn clutter into calm.

'One tip I have shared with clients for years is that if you tend to collect clutter on your kitchen countertop, after purging it and clearing it out, put a plant on it,' says Di. 'That will help you with the decor and is a beautiful visual reminder to keep clutter off.

'Plus, studies show that being around plants and natural materials can lower stress, boost mood, and even help with focus. It’s like turning your home into a little retreat – minus all the extra stuff weighing you down.'

There are even many houseplants that banish condensation to create a healthier living environment whilst helping you decorate with nature.