Along with being beautiful, indoor plants serve many purposes such as purifying the air you breathe, creating a calm and natural environment. Plants can truly transform a space, breathing life into your home with a much welcomed refresh and back to life feel. Whether you have a green thumb, or not, incorporating indoor plants into your décor is a quick, yet passably powerful, way to style your living spaces. I have a guide to decorating with indoor plants and making a greener, more inviting home here.
- At Plant Chicago, we have a list of criteria for what plants we recommend people grow in their spaces, ensuring that we prioritize choosing the right plants for your space.
The right plants are the first step in getting to decorate with plants. Different plants do not grow in the same condition, our light, temperature and humidity also differ in every room, so we need to consider this before we do it. Some seeds will grow in dark areas, while others come up best under bright direct sunlight. Here are a few plant options for different lighting conditions:
Low Light: If you don’t have natural light in your home, snake plants, pothos or ZZ plants are great to have. These outdoor plants can grow under low light and can survive indoors.
Bright, Indirect Light: If you have a lot of natural light without direct sunlight, peace lilies, ferns and spider plants will thrive in those conditions.
Direct Sunlight: For sunny spots have succulents, cacti, aloe vera etc. Like sun, these plants need plenty of it, and will do just fine next to windows receiving a lot of direct sun.
- Choose statement plants to make a focal point
Smaller plants add an accent wherever you need them, but a bigger statement plant can be the focal point of a room. As with every other room of a house, a living room can be made with a large plant standing in a decorative pot.
- Mix and Match Plant Varieties
Decorating with plants is one of the most exciting things you can do because you get to mix and match the types. Using a combination of plants in regard to their size, shape and texture will create a dynamic, lush show which is fresh and eclectic. Here’s how to create a balanced plant arrangement:
Use a Variety of Shapes: Arranging the plants by mixing and matching different leaf shapes is interesting — broad leafed ones like monstera and narrow leaved ones like snake plants.
Incorporate Different Heights: Place taller plants on the floor, or on plant stands if they’re really, really tall, and shorter plants on shelves or tables to vary height. It also has a layering effect that makes it feel really natural and garden like.
Include Trailing Plants: Add trailing plants to give visual movement to your décor, pothos, ivy, or string of pearls are a good choice. These make excellent hanging basket or high dresser plants, where they can cascade down creating a soft flowing effect.
- Use Stylish Pots and Planters
One thing that can have the same impact as your plants, is how you showcase your plants. Plant and pots set in stylish pots and planters can help them sit beautifully with your décor. Here are a few tips for choosing the right pots:
- Bring Plants Into Unexpected Areas
Part of decorating with plants means not confining yourself to traditional places. Nothing adds intrigue quite like putting plants where they’re expected to be planted; unexpected places make people sit up and take notice while injecting natural elements in every part of your home. Here are some unique ideas:
Kitchen: To make your kitchen into a herb filled space, add a couple of small plants. Basil, mint, or rosemary grows best when you place it in a decorative pot on the windowsill or countertop next to your cooking area.
Bathroom: Plants that love humidity need a bathroom with natural light. Ferns, orchids or bamboo would also make a serene, spa like atmosphere easily.
Bedroom: Keep a small plant or succulent by your nightstand, or you can even hang plants from the ceiling for a big statement. It will not only make your bedroom feel more tranquil, but lavender and jasmine plants are reportedly great for calming your nerves and falling asleep.
Office: Having plants in your home office can greatly improve productivity and focus, making them perfect for the office. Small and super easy plants such as succulents and cacti are great for desks, whereas bigger ones like palms and dracaena can make empty corners look alive.
- Make a Plant Shelf or a Plant Wall
If you have a collection of plants, group them all together on a plant shelf or wall. It can make a mini indoor garden in your home, and has a uniform appearance for your plants. Here’s how to create a plant shelf or wall:
- Maintain Your Indoor Plants
To keep your plants at their best, you need to maintain them. Water as needed, give the right light, and do some pruning as needed. Make sure to look for pests or signs of disease that will ensure your plants stay healthy and alive.
There is no simpler (or more powerful) way to mix in a little bit of nature into your home than decorating with indoor plants. Whether you’re adding a few small pots or having botanical prints on your walls , plants & art can take up your whole décor and provide better air quality alongside improving your mood. With some smart plant selections, as well as great ways to pot and place them, you can turn that space into a vibrant green oasis. If you want to bring the outdoors in, style and serenity all at once, go for it.
