What Everyone Should Know About Moss Walls
Over the last year, we’ve seen an increase for Moss Walls requests on our website. Property owners, business managers, and interior designers are eager to add moss elements to elevate their built environment. They want a showpiece in their space, but moss does have unique factors to consider. Here’s the inside scoop on Moss Walls:
Moss Walls: The Art You Didn’t Know You Needed
People spend over 90% of their time indoors and their interior spaces play a key role in physical and mental health.[1] Moss walls are not only beautiful, they address our hardwired need to connect with nature. Unlike photos and artwork depicting the outdoors, moss walls are a direct link to the natural world through preserved organic materials. Using a variety of moss provides differing hues, textures, and dimensions that reflect its woodland origin. Additional features like preserved ferns, mushrooms, and driftwood provide even greater aesthetic and biophilic appeal. When people connect with nature—such as looking at a moss wall design—stress levels decrease, creativity is enhanced, and mental clarity improves. [2]
“Moss walls address our hardwired need to connect with nature. ”
Limitations (and Stealthy Advantages) of Moss Walls
If workplace wellness is your top priority, there are even better options than moss walls. For example, green walls made of living plants purify the air and produce oxygen, offering greater indoor air quality.
However, both plant walls and moss walls act as excellent noise insulators by reducing sound waves in open or hard-surfaced areas. Installing a large custom moss wall, or a series of pre-made framed moss panels, will address acoustical problems and mitigate communication breakdowns. Collaboration spaces such as lobbies, break areas, and conference rooms benefit from moss walls by muting ambient sounds.
Moss walls are perfect for low light spaces, which means you can get away with putting them in rooms without windows. What you may not know is they are light sensitive. This means that moss walls cannot be exposed to direct sunlight, because moss will dry out and fade under the intensity of solar radiation. An easy fix is consulting a professional for strategic placement, which will ensure the vibrancy and longevity of your Moss Wall Art. Luckily, the versatility and customization of moss walls make it one of the most adaptable options in biophilic design for low light spaces.
Upkeep of Moss Walls is Minimal
The appeal of a moss wall is its soft, lush appearance, reminiscent of a rich forest floor. Indoor environments are dry, and without the right humidity the resilient properties of moss will diminish over time. When preserved moss dries out, it becomes susceptible to damage. Professional maintenance includes occasional rehydration with a hygroscopic solution that supports the natural beauty and texture of moss. Regular scheduled inspection of a custom moss wall will preempt repairs by identifying moss attrition. Although moss walls are not maintenance-free, the upkeep is significantly less compared to other biophilic design options.
“By connecting us to nature, moss walls relieve stress, improve creativity, and reduce tension by absorbing sound”
Summing Up:
The beauty of moss walls is multifaceted. By connecting us to nature they relieve stress, improve creativity, and moss walls reduce tension by absorbing sound. They are an excellent biophilic choice for low light spaces, and their modern aesthetic and infinite design choices are inspiring. With all the facts, you are now better prepared to decide if a moss wall is right for your indoor space.
For examples of custom and pre-made Moss Wall options see our Living Walls page. To see in-person, visit our latest installation at The Lucy, 512 W. Grove Street, Boise.
[1] National Library of Medicine: NHAPS - A Resource for Assessing Exposure to Environmental Pollutants.
[2] Humans in Nature: The Impacts of Biophilic Design
