Biophilic Design for Small Offices and Coworking Hubs

Biophilic Design for Small Offices and Coworking Hubs

You don’t need a huge budget or sprawling floor plan to create a workspace that feels calm, creative and connected to nature. In fact, the principles of biophilic design — bringing nature indoors — often work best in compact offices and coworking hubs where every element has purpose and impact.

Whether you manage a flexible workspace, design small offices for clients, or simply want to upgrade your own desk, here’s how to introduce biophilic thinking into any environment — with practical, low-maintenance plants and design ideas that deliver big results.

🌱 1. Why Biophilia Belongs in Every Workspace

Biophilic design enhances wellbeing, focus and collaboration — all essential for modern work. In smaller offices, the benefits are even more noticeable:

  • 🌿 Improves air quality in enclosed spaces.
  • 💚 Reduces stress and boosts creativity.
  • 🌤️ Makes interiors feel brighter and more open.
  • 💼 Enhances brand identity and client perception.

“Even a handful of well-placed plants can transform how people feel and perform in a workspace.”
— Workplace Design Consultant, Manchester

👉 Read our ROI of Office Greenery post for the business benefits.

🌿 2. Start with Smart Plant Choices

In smaller spaces, every plant needs to earn its place. Focus on compact, low-maintenance species that thrive in moderate light.

Top small-office plants:

  • ZZ Plant: thrives on neglect; glossy, sculptural leaves.
  • Sansevieria (Snake Plant): vertical growth, cleans air efficiently.
  • Peace Lily: elegant and reliable under artificial light.
  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): trails beautifully from shelves.
  • Aglaonema: colourful foliage adds personality.

👉 Explore our Office & Commercial Plant Range.

🌱 3. Use Height, Not Floor Space

When floor area is limited, think vertically.

  • Install wall-mounted planters or floating shelves for trailing plants.
  • Add hanging baskets above desks or communal tables.
  • Use tall, narrow planters in corners to draw the eye upward.

This creates a layered, living effect without cluttering walkways.

🌿 4. Integrate Plants into Furniture

In coworking hubs and agile offices, flexibility is key. Designers now integrate greenery directly into furniture and fittings:

  • Desk dividers with built-in planters.
  • Bookshelves interspersed with pots for visual balance.
  • Storage units topped with trailing greenery.

These subtle touches soften hard lines and make shared spaces feel more welcoming.

🌱 5. Choose Multi-Functional Plants

Some plants do more than just look good. In small offices, they can serve practical purposes too.

Examples:

  • Ferns and palms absorb sound, improving acoustics.
  • Peace Lilies increase humidity, reducing dry air from heating.
  • Areca Palms and Ficus act as natural dividers for open layouts.

👉 See our Wholesale Fern Collection for low-light options.

🌿 6. Create Zones with Greenery

Zoning helps define areas for focus, collaboration and relaxation — essential in shared workspaces.

Ideas:

  • Place tall plants near desks to create privacy.
  • Use planters to mark out quiet corners or call booths.
  • Group ferns and palms around lounge areas to encourage informal chats.

Biophilic zoning maintains flow while giving each area a distinct purpose.

🌱 7. Bring in Natural Materials

Biophilic design isn’t just about plants — it’s about using nature-inspired materials throughout your interior.

Combine greenery with:

  • Wooden desks and shelving.
  • Clay or ceramic planters.
  • Natural textiles like linen and jute.
  • Soft, neutral colour palettes.

This reinforces the sensory connection with nature and helps small spaces feel grounded.

🌿 8. Light Matters

Plants and people both need good light. In smaller offices, maximise daylight first:

  • Keep window ledges clear.
  • Use mirrors to reflect natural light deeper into the room.
  • Supplement with LED grow lights where necessary.

If natural light is limited, focus on resilient species like ZZ, Aglaonema, or Sansevieria.

🌱 9. Encourage Employee Ownership

In coworking spaces, plants can foster community.

  • Offer each team or member a small plant to care for.
  • Run occasional “repotting mornings” or plant-swap events.
  • Display care instructions so plants thrive, not fade.

Shared ownership deepens the connection between people and place — a core goal of biophilic design.

🌿 10. Keep Maintenance Simple

Low-effort maintenance ensures longevity and visual impact.

  • Use self-watering pots where possible.
  • Group plants by watering frequency.
  • Assign one team member or contractor for weekly checks.
  • Rotate displays every few months for variety.

👉 Read our How to Care for Wholesale Plants guide.

🪴 Final Thoughts

Biophilic design isn’t reserved for grand atriums or corporate towers. With thoughtful plant choices and smart design, even the smallest workspace can feel alive, inspiring and productive.

At Wholesale Plant Shop, we help offices, coworking hubs and designers create sustainable, low-maintenance green interiors — with trade-ready plants delivered across the UK.

👉 Register for Trade Access or browse our Office & Commercial Plant Range to bring biophilic design to life in your next project.

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