How to Style Brutalist Spaces with Biophilic Wall Murals
Interior styles and architectural movements often evolve in contrast to one another. Minimalism arises in response to excess, organic forms counter rigid structures, and nature-inspired design offers a balance to industrial modernism. Yet, some of the most compelling spaces don’t choose sides, they blend opposites. One such unexpected and powerful pairing is the fusion of brutalism and biophilic design. Made even more striking through the use of wall murals.
Understanding the Styles
Brutalism originated as an architectural movement in the 1950s, known for its raw materials, functional forms, and a refusal to embellish. Originally applied to buildings, it wasn’t about decoration, it was about structure, purpose, and presence. Hallmarks of the style include concrete, stone, metal, brick, and glass, often shaped into bold, geometric forms. While often seen as severe or cold, brutalism also carries a quiet elegance in its minimalism and honesty.
Biophilic design, on the other hand, brings nature into the built environment. It invites light, greenery, organic shapes, and natural materials. It softens spaces, reduces stress, and fosters a sense of connection to the living world. Where brutalism grounds us, biophilia lifts us.
Wall murals become the perfect medium to connect these two worlds. In a space defined by sharp edges and cool tones, a carefully chosen mural introduces organic shapes, soothing colors, and emotional depth, without disrupting the clarity of the architecture.
READ MORE ABOUT BIOPHILIC BEDROOMS
Why They Work Together
We’re drawn to this pairing because it mirrors something in ourselves. We long for strength and structure, but we also crave softness and soul. Brutalist interiors provide a sense of stability, of quiet clarity. When layered with a biophilic wall mural, they become more than functional, they become felt. Concrete walls gain warmth when touched by sunlight. Steel and stone find rhythm beside plants and textured fabrics.
Together, these styles offer a new kind of balance. One that feels both rooted and alive. One that reminds us that emotional depth doesn’t have to come at the expense of clean lines or minimalist thinking.
How to Style the Fusion
Pair with wall murals
In an interior defined by minimalism and raw materials, a wall mural becomes a moment of transformation. Our spaces shape how we feel and the Soft Hills wall mural brings the restorative energy of nature into any room. Its sweeping, layered hills evoke a peaceful, untouched landscape.
Let the Light In
Natural light plays a huge role in how a wall mural interacts with its surroundings. In brutalist interiors, large unadorned windows or soft, diffused lighting help the mural come alive, highlighting texture, color shifts, and movement. Even if structural changes aren’t possible, lighting choices can enhance the wall mural’s organic feel.
Layer with Natural Materials
To strengthen the connection between mural and environment, layer in natural materials like wood, linen, or clay. These textures reflect the imagery in the wall mural and help soften the harder edges of a brutalist space, making the design feel holistic and intentional.
Why More People Should Love It
It shows that strength and softness can coexist. That concrete can be beautiful. That nature can thrive in the unlikeliest of places. Bringing brutalism and biophilic design together invites us to rethink what interior design can be. A wall mural has the power to shift the entire mood of a room. It can soften sharp lines, add narrative to plain surfaces, and create a connection between structure and soul.
Instead of choosing between clean, architectural minimalism and biophilic comfort, this fusion offers both. A wall mural makes the contrast feel intentional, seamless, and full of life.
In embracing the fusion of brutalism and biophilic design, we open ourselves to a richer, more nuanced way of living with our environments. The wall mural becomes an emotional bridge between the rawness of brutalist design and the organic vibrance of biophilic elements. Whether you’re looking to soften a stark environment or bring depth to a minimalist design, our biophilic wall murals offer a modern, balanced, and deeply human solution.
