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Biophilic design is growing in popularity and relevance because people are paying more attention to how spaces make them feel. Natural textures, organic colour palettes, and a connection to the outdoors bring clarity to interiors that might otherwise feel closed-in or over-styled. The focus in biophilic design is on creating a place that feels alive, lived in, and grounded.
This approach works best when you use a limited, intentional palette. The Paint Club’s bespoke colour collection, Rooted, is exclusive to Plascon Paint Expert stores and includes five Plascon shades that are well suited to biophilic interiors:
Salt Crystal, Monsoon Lagoon, Cyprus Breeze, Stuffing, and Irish Touch.
Each colour interacts naturally with plants, wood, stone, and sunlight. The goal with Biophilic design is to let natural elements shape how a room functions and feels, and bring the beauty and tranquillity of Mother Nature indoors.
Use Light as a Design Tool
Natural light helps to define shape, shadow, and softness in a room. It changes how colour appears at different times of day, and it alters how a space is experienced from morning to evening.
To make the most of available light, keep window treatments minimal. Linen curtains or woven blinds filter light without blocking it entirely. Mirrors can help bounce light into darker corners, but placement matters. The best mirror is one that reflects a plant, not a ceiling.
Plascon Salt Crystal works particularly well in light-filled rooms. It has a soft, warm tone that diffuses brightness without turning the walls stark or clinical. In bedrooms that get morning light, Irish Touch offers a subtle coolness that pairs well with clean lines and natural fabrics. If a room doesn’t get much sun, there’s no need to compensate with artificially bright colours. A shade like Monsoon Lagoon can add depth and mood to shaded spaces without making them feel heavy.
Plants Bring Structure, Not Just Colour
A well-placed plant has more impact than a row of accessories. A tall fiddle-leaf fig in the corner of a lounge adds vertical shape. The fronds of a creeper trailing down a bookshelf softens hard lines. Even a single potted herb in a kitchen window adds colour and scent in a way that artificial décor can’t replicate.
These living elements work best against paint colours that don’t compete with them. A green plant against a green wall creates continuity, not conflict. Irish Touch provides a rich botanical background for dense greenery. Monsoon Lagoon works well with broad-leafed plants by offering contrast in tone rather than colour.
How to Use the Five Colours Effectively
Our five-colour palette, Rooted, doesn’t require guesswork. The 60-30-10 approach offers a straightforward framework:
- 60% is your dominant colour – usually on the largest surfaces like walls or ceilings.
- 30% is a secondary tone – used on furniture, cabinetry, or a feature wall.
- 10% is for accents – trims, textiles, and detail pieces.
Here are three combinations that maintain balance:
- 60% Salt Crystal, 30% Monsoon Lagoon, 10% Stuffing
- 60% Cyprus Breeze, 30% Salt Crystal, 10% Irish Touch
- 60% Monsoon Lagoon, 30% Irish Touch, 10% Stuffing
This palette is designed so that any combination will hold together. The colours share tonal qualities without looking repetitive.
Room-by-Room Application
Living Room
Paint the main walls in Salt Crystal to keep the space bright but not stark. Use Monsoon Lagoon on a single feature wall or built-in unit to add visual weight. Finish with Stuffing on skirtings, window frames, or a painted piece of furniture.
Kitchen and Dining Area
Choose Cyprus Breeze for the walls and Stuffing for shelves or cabinetry. If you want to bring in a third colour, use Irish Touch on the door to the pantry or a built-in bench. This keeps the kitchen grounded while still feeling fresh.
Bedroom
In the bedroom, Salt Crystal works well on three walls, with Irish Touch behind the bed to create a sense of calm. Add Stuffing as a trim or detail, for example, a painted bedside table, light fitting, or mirror frame.
Bathroom
Bathrooms benefit from simplicity. Use Irish Touch on the walls, then bring in Monsoon Lagoon through a painted vanity or shelf. Include natural textures like stone soap dishes, wood hooks, and ceramic planters to keep the space tactile.
Supporting Materials and Textures
Paint alone won’t complete a biophilic room. Natural materials add the weight and warmth that colour alone can’t provide.
- Wood: Use untreated or lightly oiled finishes that reveal the grain. Shelves, flooring, headboards, or furniture legs all benefit from the texture of real wood.
- Stone: Include matte surfaces like slate, limestone, or terrazzo. These work well in bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways where you want a sense of durability.
- Textiles: Use linen, wool, jute, and cotton. These materials bring softness and variation without relying on bold patterns or artificial finishes.
- Clay and ceramic: Incorporate hand-thrown pottery, tile backsplashes, or decorative pieces. These materials pair well with muted paint tones and natural light.
- Woven elements: Baskets, stools, and light fixtures in rattan or cane introduce subtle structure and detail.
These materials don’t need to be everywhere. A few well-chosen pieces, placed intentionally, will do more than a crowded display.
Finishes That Work with the Style
Different spaces demand different paint finishes. These recommendations from Plascon will help keep the look consistent while meeting functional needs:
- Double Velvet: Ideal for high-traffic living areas. It offers durability with a soft, elegant finish.
- Easy Living Sheen: A versatile option for bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Easy to clean without a shiny surface.
- Velvaglo: Use this on trims, cupboards, or doors. It offers a refined, washable finish that doesn’t overpower.
- Wall & All / Micatex: For outdoor areas, these finishes offer weather resistance and hold colour well. They can be used to maintain visual consistency between interior and exterior elements.
Stick to low-sheen or matte finishes indoors. These reflect less light and highlight texture rather than surface gloss.
A Brief Note on Exteriors
If you’re continuing this look outdoors, consider using Salt Crystal for exterior walls. It provides a quiet, clean backdrop to stone, plants, or raw timber. Stuffing works well for trims, columns, or planters. Irish Touch or Monsoon Lagoon can be used on a front door or garden gate to tie the colour story together without overpowering the landscape.
Where to Find the Palette
Our Rooted Colour Collection – Monsoon Lagoon, Cyprus Breeze, Salt Crystal, Stuffing, and Irish Touch – was developed by Paint Club for Plascon Paint Expert stores. Our stores are known for colour expertise, hands-on guidance, and helping homeowners choose finishes that make sense for their space.
To find your nearest store or to purchase samples, visit www.paintexpert.co.za.
FAQs
Can I use these colours in a small space?
Yes. Darker shades like Monsoon Lagoon can make small rooms feel intimate rather than cramped. Lighter tones like Salt Crystal open up a space without making it feel empty.
How do I know if a colour will suit my home’s natural light?
Paint a large test swatch and watch how it changes throughout the day. Natural light can shift a colour’s tone more than expected.
Is this palette seasonal?
No. The colours are neutral enough to work year-round, but they still respond to seasonal changes in light, plant life, and temperature.
Can I combine all five in one home?
Yes. They’re designed to work together. Use different ratios in each room to create continuity without repetition.
Where can I see the colours in person?
Visit a Plascon Paint Expert store. You’ll get actual paint samples and help from staff who understand colour, finish, and lighting.
