It seems more and more home design trends have one major thing in common: They all include some form of natural elements to create a grounding, soothing ambiance. From cottagecore and farmhouse designs to industrial and minimalistic interiors, all styles benefit from adding a little greenery to elevate the space. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, including nature-inspired items throughout your home helps create a soothing atmosphere. Plus, it is very on trend — the desire to engage and indulge in one’s dwelling has become increasingly more popular. You don’t have to go completely green, but introducing the biophilic aesthetic will definitely make your home more zen — and the best part is, you can thrift many of the decor items you need to fit the theme. Look for plants, planters, woven baskets, wooden and stone items, warm lighting, and curved furniture.

The biophilic aesthetic can be most easily defined as combining elements of nature and other living organisms with your home interior. This nature-inspired decor trend is all about bringing life to your space through plants, natural materials, and even earth-inspired color. The interest over biophilic design continues to grow, with the aesthetic popping up on blogs and social media regularly. The grounding aspect of these designs is a big draw, as it creates a very calming and relaxing environment that is also very stylish. When it comes to thrifting your biophilic decor rather than purchasing expensive new items, you’re also opting for a more sustainable, eco-friendly source that plays into the planet-friendly elements that make this trend so coveted. Look to Facebook Marketplace, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army.

The ultimate guide to biophilic interior decor notes that greenery is key for this aesthetic, along with many other natural elements. One of the biggest perks of decorating with this trend is that you don’t need to do an expensive overhaul and purchase all new items. Unlike some other trends that require very specific materials, colors, and designs, the biophilic trend is about simple, understated additions. Plants are the main pieces you want to splurge on, as it’s all about bringing the world outside your home indoors. If you have enough natural light and space, living plants in a plethora of species and sizes in every room is a great place to start. Or, if you don’t have lots of natural light, try thrifting realistic faux options — and avoid these mistakes everyone makes when buying fake plants. 

While greenery is important, you can also fill your rooms with a variety of items like baskets, wood furnishings, and even stone elements to create the aesthetic. Also thrift terracotta planters or grab some wicker baskets you can place pots into. Because many of the key pieces you want for this aesthetic can get really expensive (think high-end wood furnishings, rugs made of wool, or a variety of other organic textiles), search for thrifted stone or wood tables to add your plants onto, and keep an eye out for wood shelves to hold hanging vines. Bamboo pieces can also pop up at secondhand shops a lot, so grab these when you find them to avoid paying top dollar at big box stores. 

Once you’ve got the smaller details, look for larger pieces or things that make more of a statement, too. When considering how to bring biophilic design into your home, lighting is key — thrift sheer curtains that allow natural light in during the day rather than thick drapes. Thrifting mirrors can also help brighten a room. Hang them in as many rooms as you can to create an airy, outdoor vibe. Use a mixture of secondhand sconces and lamps made with natural materials like wicker, rattan, or bamboo to add a warm ambiance at night. Opt for warmer bulbs in these fixtures to create an intimate atmosphere.

It’s not just the materials and textures you use but also the shape of your furnishings and fixtures that matters. When you think of nature, it isn’t made up of all sharp edges and hard lines. There are curves and soft elements that make it more engaging, too. Rounded chairs, scalloped details, and cozier pieces all help to soften your layout and fade your interior boundaries into the outdoors. Even your lighting fixtures can incorporate curved shades. Secondhand furniture comes from all eras, so you should easily find items that offer softer, rounded designs. Look for items in natural wood or nature-inspired colors like tan and green. Thrift a plush faux fur or thick natural rug to help bring a cozy atmosphere to harder flooring types, too.