Biophilic Design for Small Spaces & Apartments: Maximizing Nature in Limited Environments

The biggest problem in most UK flats—especially those in London—is the amount of daylight they receive. Most of the time, this is due to their original architecture—Victorian conversions with small windows, internal bedrooms, basement conversions, etc.—and the age of the building.

While some flats may have decent-sized windows, others may have very few, which limits the amount of sunlight that enters the property. Even when there are small windows, they often have single-glazed glass and are sealed so tightly that fresh air cannot enter the property. This creates a cascade of problems that most renters and homeowners don’t anticipate.

The Damp, Dry, and Hot Problem

This leads to another common problem: dampness and dryness. Due to the lack of airflow in old buildings, the air inside flats can become stale and humid during the winter months. However, with central heating, the humidity levels rise significantly during the winter months and drop sharply in the spring and summer months when the central heating is turned off. Additionally, without proper air circulation, moisture builds up inside the walls, causing mould, mildew, and other health issues.

And then there’s the heat. Some flats have no air conditioning, which is especially true in older buildings that were built before central air was widely used. So, during the hot summer months, the temperature inside the flat can reach extremely high temperatures. You’re trapped between extremes—too humid in winter, too dry and hot in summer. Managing this with biophilic design means working with it, not against it.

Small Spaces and Rental Constraints

Of course, the size of the flat also plays a role. Many UK flats are tiny, making it difficult to arrange furniture and decor to maximise both space and daylight. And, as a result of the property rental market, many renters are unable to make any modifications to the property such as painting walls, installing fixtures, etc., which limits their ability to customise the space to meet their needs.

These aren’t challenges to be “solved.” Rather, they’re limitations that must be worked within when designing a biophilic space. Once you accept these limitations, you can begin developing creative and practical solutions that will enhance your biophilic design experience. The mindset shift matters—you’re not fighting your flat’s constraints, you’re designing around them strategically.

Incorporating Nature Vertically

There are two ways to incorporate plants into your biophilic design: horizontally and vertically. While incorporating plants horizontally is great for using a wider footprint to accommodate plants, incorporating plants vertically is better suited to small spaces. Incorporating plants vertically allows you to utilise all four sides of a room (the walls, floor and ceiling), whereas incorporating plants horizontally typically only utilises one side of the room (i.e. the floor).

When you incorporate plants vertically, you’re able to maximise the number of plants you can put in a given space. You’re also able to maximise the number of views of those plants in a given space. And, as you’ve learned throughout this guide, the more views of plants you have in a space, the greater the biophilic effect will be.

Vertical Plant Options

Hanging planters: You can purchase hanging planters at a local nursery or online and simply attach them to a hook or hanger in your ceiling. This is a quick and easy way to bring plants into your space. Inexpensive, take up little space, and can be moved at will. They do require regular watering and maintenance.

Wall-mounted shelves: Shelves can be mounted directly onto your wall and can be used to hold potted plants. This is a good option if you want to create a layered look in your space. Slightly more expensive, take up more space, and provide a more stable environment for your plants. Still relatively portable and don’t require much maintenance.

Tall plant stands: Similar to wall-mounted shelves, tall plant stands can be placed in a corner of the room and can be used to hold multiple plants. Provide the most stable environment for your plants and allow you to display your plants in a unique way. However, they are the largest and least portable of the options.

Tension rod systems: Tension rod systems are a type of vertical plant system that uses tension rods to suspend plants from the ceiling. This is a great option for renters who don’t want to damage their walls. Provide the most flexibility and allow you to move your plants wherever you want. However, they can be the most expensive and take up more planning.

Vertical Option	Footprint	Plant Capacity	Cost	Details
Hanging planters (corner cluster)	~0.3 sqm	4-6 plants	£50-£100	Quick installation, moveable, requires regular watering
Wall-mounted shelves (3-tier)	~0.5 sqm	6-9 plants	£80-£150	Stable environment, layered look, relatively portable
Tall plant stands	~0.2 sqm	3-4 plants	£30-£60	Most stable, unique display, least portable
Tension rod systems	Negligible	4-8 plants	£40-£80	Most flexible, renter-friendly, requires careful planning

Pro tip: Adhesive picture-hanging strips, tension rods, and Command hooks are all great options for renters because they leave no permanent marks and comply with deposit requirements. Your goal shouldn’t be to create a jungle; rather, you should aim for strategic visual enrichment and improved indoor air quality with limited floor space usage.

Optimising Lighting in Dark Spaces

Unfortunately, most UK flats are poorly lit. The average amount of daylight received through a typical UK flat window is around 4 hours a day. As a result, the first step to optimising lighting in a flat is to maximise existing lighting. This matters more than you might think—good light management can transform how a small space feels.

Maximise Existing Lighting

Clean the windows: Dirty windows block 20-30% of incoming light. This is the easiest win and costs nothing.

Remove obstacles: If you have blinds or curtains, keep them open during the day to let light in.

Hang sheer curtains: Use sheer curtains instead of blackout curtains. Sheer curtains let in more light whilst maintaining privacy.

Position furniture strategically: Position any furniture or seating in front of windows to catch the available light. Work areas near windows deliver measurable productivity gains.

Optimising natural light in a flat can increase productivity by 8% and improve overall wellbeing by 15% even in studios with small windows. The biophilic benefits of increased light exposure are tangible and immediate—you’ll notice the difference almost right away.

Reflect and Distribute Light

Once you’ve optimised your natural light, use reflective surfaces to distribute it further. Mirrors, white walls, light-coloured furniture, and other light-coloured surfaces can help reflect light deeper into the space. A strategically placed mirror opposite a window is one of the most effective interventions—it’s cheap, it’s renter-friendly, and it genuinely works.

Supplement with Artificial Lighting

Finally, use artificial lighting to supplement your natural light. Warm-toned bulbs (2700K) are best for creating a relaxing ambiance in the evenings and promoting sleep. Instead of using one bright overhead light, layer your lighting with table lamps, floor lamps, and under-cabinet lighting to create a warm and inviting glow. This approach feels better and delivers measurable wellbeing benefits.

Interior Rooms with No Windows

If you have an interior room with no windows, you have several options:

Light tubes (reflective skylights): A translucent pipe that runs from your roof to the interior of your flat, allowing natural light to filter in. Cost: approximately £200-£500. This is a more substantial investment but genuinely transformative for dark interior spaces.

Grow lights for plants: Grow lights can be used to support plant growth, provide visual interest in a dark space, and even promote relaxation and calmness. Cost: approximately £20-£50 per light. These are affordable and effective for creating focal points of light in dark rooms.

Plant Selection for Small Apartments

When it comes to selecting plants for small apartments, you’ll want to focus on plants that are low maintenance and can thrive in a variety of lighting conditions. Since most UK flats have limited natural light, you’ll want to select plants that can tolerate low light conditions. The good news is that the best low-light plants are also some of the most forgiving and require minimal attention—perfect for people juggling busy lives in small spaces.

The plants that work best are Pothos (thrives in dark corners, grows fast), Snake Plant (extremely forgiving, tolerates neglect), ZZ Plant (glossy appearance, minimal care), and Philodendron (forgiving, trailing form is space-efficient). These aren’t glamorous, but they’re resilient. In a small flat where every element matters, resilience is what you need.