June 20, 2025

Biophilic Design in Canadian Homes: How To Bring The Outdoors In With Window Treatments

Bring nature into your Canadian home year-round with window treatments that support this popular trend.

With Canada's vast natural beauty—from coastal rainforests to snow-capped mountains—it’s no wonder many Canadians feel a deep connection to nature. As we spend more time indoors, especially during long winters, the desire to bring the outside in has grown stronger than ever. Enter biophilic design: an approach to home design that celebrates our innate connection to the natural world.

In a country known for its changing seasons and dramatic landscapes, biophilic design isn’t just trendy—it’s therapeutic. Whether you're in a Vancouver condo, a Montreal loft, or a cottage in Muskoka, integrating nature into your interiors can boost moods, reduce stress, and enhance your quality of life. And one of the most overlooked ways to support this design approach? Your window treatments.

Let’s explore how Canadian homeowners can embrace biophilic principles using thoughtful, stylish, and functional window coverings.

What is Biophilic Design?

At its core, biophilic design is about fostering a stronger bond between people and nature in the spaces where we live, work, and relax. Coined by biologist Edward O. Wilson, "biophilia" refers to our hardwired desire to connect with nature. This design philosophy encourages the use of natural materials, organic forms, daylight, fresh air, and views of the outdoors in everyday living spaces.

Key elements of biophilic design include:

Natural Light: Maximizing sunlight to support circadian rhythms, especially important during darker winter months.

Organic Textures: Think wood, stone, linen, and wool—materials that echo the Canadian landscape.

Nature Views: Emphasizing visibility of trees, water, sky, and gardens.

Plants and Greenery: Indoor plants and living walls enhance air quality and aesthetic appeal.

Patterns Found in Nature: Think curved forms and biomorphic designs inspired by leaves, rivers, or tree rings.

Why Biophilic Design Matters in Canada

In an environment where the climate often forces us indoors for much of the year, the psychological and physiological benefits of biophilic design are even more relevant. Exposure to nature—real or simulated—has been linked to reduced anxiety, enhance sleep, improve focus, and increase overall wellness. For Canadians navigating long winters or spending time working from home, bringing elements of the outdoors inside can be transformative.

And because windows are our direct link to natural views and daylight, how you dress your windows plays a crucial role in creating a truly biophilic space.

6 Ways Window Treatments Support Biophilic Design in Canadian Homes

1. Maximize Natural Light Year-Round

Light is at a minimum during Canadian winters. That makes it even more crucial to incorporate window treatments in your home that filter sunlight while controlling glare and heat loss. Our top recommendations are:

Sheer curtains: Let in as much daylight as possible while diffusing harsh light.

Solar shades: Maintain visibility to the outdoors while blocking UV rays—great for bright west-facing windows.

Cascade Shades: Combine a light-filtering fabric with blackout functionality for flexibility depending on time of day or season.

In colder provinces, opt for thermal-backed drapery in combination with sheers to retain heat without sacrificing brightness. Start your selection by ordering blackout and room-darkening samples to get a first-hand feel for your options—your hydro bill will thank you.

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2. Frame and Enhance Your Outdoor Views

One of the most powerful aspects of biophilic design is preserving your connection to nature through views—whether that’s Lake Ontario, a backyard pine tree, or even your urban balcony garden. Some ways to achieve this with window treatments include:

Using minimal hardware and ceiling-mounted tracks to avoid cluttering the window.

Choosing ripple fold drapery that stacks neatly and doesn’t obstruct sightlines.

Installing roller shades to control light while preserving outdoor visibility.

Even small views of nature can make a huge difference—fresh skies, trees, or snow are known to instantly provide a profound sense of calm.

3. Layer In Nature With Sustainable Materials

Materials matter. In biophilic design, it’s important to include textures and fabrics that evoke the outdoors and are sustainably sourced—something many eco-conscious Canadians prioritize. Our top biophilic material suggestions are:

Linen or cotton drapes: These breathable natural fibres add texture and warmth.

Woven wood shades: Made from bamboo, jute, or grasses, they bring rustic charm to modern homes.

Wool-blend drapery: Offers insulation and a cozy Canadian feel—ideal for homes from the Rockies to Newfoundland.

Seek out Canadian-made or ethically sourced products whenever possible.

Bright and minimalist home office featuring natural woven wood shades layered with with soft white drapery on gold curtain rods.

4. Nature-Inspired Colours and Prints Embrace Earth-First Style

Biophilic spaces are often grounded in nature’s palette—think moss greens, slate greys, sandy taupes, and lake blues. These tones work beautifully in Canadian homes, especially when paired with wood flooring, stone countertops, or leather accents. Take these colour tips into consideration:

Choose window treatments in organic hues like eucalyptus green, birch white, or river rock grey.

Consider subtle botanical prints or biomorphic patterns that evoke foliage, water, or snowflakes.

Stick to matte and textured finishes rather than shiny or synthetic ones for a more authentic look.

Pro-tip: don’t be afraid to change up your palette with the seasons—think soft green hues for the Spring season, and rich rusts and browns in autumn.

5. Incorporate Movement and Fresh Air

Canadian summers are short and sweet—when they arrive, open your windows wide! Drapery that flows with the breeze can bring a kinetic sense of nature indoors. When shopping for drapery look for:

Lightweight, floor-length fabrics that sway gently with open windows.
Ripple fold or grommet-top panels that slide easily to encourage regular window use.

Letting fresh air in (even during mild winter days) supports natural ventilation and improves indoor air quality.

6. Support Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

From BC’s rainforests to PEI’s windswept coast, Canadians are deeply invested in preserving natural ecosystems. Choosing sustainable window treatments is a direct way to reduce your home’s environmental impact while aligning with the values of biophilic design. Keep reading for tips on how to choose energy-efficient window treatments:

Look for energy-efficient cellular shades that insulate your windows.

Support Canadian brands that offer low-emission, responsibly made products.

Sustainable window treatments not only keep your home cozy in winter and cool in summer, but they also reduce reliance on artificial heating and cooling. Need help choosing the perfect solution for your home? Book a free In-Home Consultation and let our expert design consultants make it easy.

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Room-by-Room Inspiration for Biophilic Window Treatments

Living Room

Layer sheer panels with linen drapes for adjustable light and a soft, flowing look.

Choose soft greys or pale greens to echo the forest floor or misty coastlines.

Bedroom

Try blackout-lined curtains in calming earth tones for deep, restful sleep.

Add indoor plants near the window for a lush, private retreat.

Kitchen

Use Roman shades in cotton or linen to add texture without blocking light.

Keep the look simple—natural wood or bamboo adds warmth without clutter.

Home Office

Use solar shades or top-down/bottom-up cellular blinds to cut glare while maintaining natural views.

Look for natural prints (like leaves or river stones) to subtly energize your space.

Final Thoughts: Bringing the Outside In

Whether you're watching snow fall on a January morning in Calgary or enjoying the late-summer light in Halifax, biophilic design helps you stay connected to the rhythms of nature. In a country as ecologically diverse and seasonally rich as Canada, this connection is both grounding and inspiring.

Window treatments are more than just functional—they’re a key design element in how we interact with light, air, and views. With thoughtful choices, you can transform your windows into nature-inspired focal points that support wellness, beauty, and sustainability in every season.

So go ahead—let the sun pour in, let the curtains billow, and let nature into your home. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.

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