Whether you’re a novice in the world of plant care or a seasoned expert accustomed to living amongst lush greenery, incorporating plants into your living space can help define its style and imbue it with a vibrant ambiance. The key to achieving an exceptional aesthetic lies in integrating houseplants as integral components of your decor, rather than merely placing them around it.
When selecting a new houseplant, consider where it will best complement your home. Factor in essential aspects such as its light requirements—is it suited to low-light conditions or does it crave direct sunlight? How large will it eventually grow? Does it thrive in dry environments like a cactus or does it prefer the humidity akin to that of a prayer plant? Additionally, assess whether you have the time to dedicate to its care. If you frequently travel, opt for a plant that doesn’t demand constant watering or misting. Alternatively, if you’re short on time for plant maintenance, artificial options are a viable choice; they can still enhance your space’s allure and vitality, minus the upkeep.
Explore our curated list of 20 styling tips designed to elevate your living space with the addition of houseplants, infusing it with freshness and rejuvenating its ambiance.
Fill an Unused Space
Utilize a substantial or lofty plant, such as a bird of paradise, to occupy an otherwise vacant corner and inject a splash of color. Rather than leaving a stark, angular void, the plant fills the space and lends a gentler touch to the surroundings. Placing the plant near a window further enhances this effect by seamlessly extending the outdoor ambiance into the interior realm.
Create Height Contrast
Achieve a multi-dimensional aesthetic with your plant arrangements by incorporating houseplants of different sizes and utilizing pedestals or plant stands to manipulate their heights. Embrace your creativity by experimenting with cascading effects or elevating smaller plants to give the illusion of grandeur. Consider pairing a tall, upright plant with a trailing one to create a lush and voluminous display.
Go Solo or Make It a Group
If you’re drawn to a minimalist vibe, opt for simplicity by featuring a single plant on a bookshelf or coffee table. However, if you prefer a more abundant greenery, consider grouping plants in sets of three for a more substantial appearance. For instance, combining a pair of upright snake plants with a trailing pothos effortlessly fills the space. Both of these plants thrive in low-light conditions and require minimal upkeep, making them ideal choices for hassle-free greenery in your home.
Cover Up Mistakes
Transform unsightly holes or eyesores, such as failed DIY projects or conspicuous electrical panels in your home or apartment, by strategically incorporating long trailing plants to camouflage them. The lush greenery not only beautifies the space but also provides a sense of tranquility. Consider opting for low-maintenance plants like English ivy, pothos, or heart-shaped philodendron to effortlessly enhance your surroundings.
Create Height
Utilizing a tall plant like a fiddle leaf fig can effectively impart a sense of height and openness to a room, particularly beneficial for spaces with low ceilings. This clever technique visually elongates the room, enhancing its overall ambiance. Ensure ample light for your fiddle leaf fig wherever it’s positioned in your home, as demonstrated in this cozy setting adjacent to a sunlit window. If optimal natural lighting isn’t feasible, consider selecting an artificial plant as an alternative.
Add a Pop of Color
Numerous tropical houseplants, like an anthurium plant, boast vibrant hues that can inject a pop of color into your living space. Embrace the opportunity to complement existing styles and patterns by incorporating shades from the rainbow spectrum alongside the predominant greenery. Don’t hesitate to explore the diverse palette available to enhance the visual appeal of your home.
Don’t Forget the Bathroom
Why not transform your bathroom into the tropical oasis of your dreams? Incorporating plants in your bathroom not only enhances the ambiance instantly but also fosters a cohesive atmosphere throughout your home by maintaining a consistent presence of greenery. Opt for humidity-loving plants such as sub-tropical aroids like philodendron, dumb cane, and Chinese evergreen, which thrive in bathroom environments. Whether nestled in the shower like this mini monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) or adorning the countertop, these plants will flourish in the moisture-rich atmosphere of your bathroom.
Show Off Your Style
A great way to integrate your houseplants into your design aesthetic is by selecting planters that align with your style and complement your decor. If you’re drawn to vintage or boho vibes, explore flea markets, thrift stores, or antique malls for a diverse and often budget-friendly selection of planters. Alternatively, for those who enjoy DIY projects, consider crafting planters inexpensively using basic materials for a personalized touch.
Put Plants to Work
Introducing plants into your workspace or home office can foster a connection with nature indoors, which is often sought after during the workday. Studies indicate that green hues can promote relaxation and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, plants serve the practical function of purifying the air and eliminating pollutants, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
Accentuate a Piece of Furniture
For a striking contrast that elevates a piece of furniture, consider incorporating greenery into the mix. In this setup, the blue velvet sofa stands out as the prominent focal point of the room, with the large palm plant serving to complement and accentuate it. Moreover, the presence of this elegant palm plant adds verticality to the space, enhancing its overall visual appeal.
Make a Better View
If your window overlooks a less appealing scenery, such as a plain wall or alley, enhance the view by suspending plants in front of it. Kim Purvis, as showcased on the Made in a Day blog, maximized her exposure to natural light by installing a transparent hanging acrylic window shelf designed for houseplants. Additionally, arranging your plants vertically is an effective space-saving solution that adds aesthetic interest to your indoor environment.
Make Your Walls Come Alive
Say farewell to bare walls! Craft a captivating backdrop for any room that fosters plant growth and imbues your space with a cozy, earthy ambiance. This particular aesthetic was achieved by utilizing Ikea’s Sosdala memo boards and allowing the plants to trail gracefully through the wires. Alternatively, you can achieve a similar effect using small, affordable invisible hooks affixed to the wall.
Create Your Oasis
Everyone deserves a tranquil retreat to unwind, so why not surround yourself with the soothing presence of nature? Embrace the laid-back boho vibe of this cozy sitting area, adorned with tall palms and warm terra-cotta tones that work wonders in alleviating stress. Enrich your relaxation space with lush greenery, natural materials, and earthy hues to curate a serene sanctuary tailored to your peace of mind.
Spruce Up Your Coffee Table
Your coffee table serves as an ideal canvas for seamlessly blending greenery and accessories. Experiment with different heights by incorporating trays or books beneath your plants. Opt for a subtle aesthetic by selecting a vessel or container that complements the surrounding furniture’s color scheme, or make a statement with a bold vase or flowerpot in a contrasting hue.
Use Fresh Herbs as a Kitchen Accessory
Revitalize your kitchen by introducing popular and practical herbs like rosemary, thyme, and cilantro. Cultivating an indoor herb garden not only enhances your culinary endeavors but also brings a refreshing outdoor essence indoors. Additionally, the pleasant aroma of these herbs will infuse your kitchen with delightful scents, even when you’re not cooking.
Add Life to a Bookshelf
Positioning a trailing plant, such as pothos, on top of a bookcase injects color and creates a subtle 3-D visual element. Furthermore, a climbing or vining plant serves to link the shelves together, guiding the eye to each distinct level with ease.
Create Living Art
Revamp your wall decor by crafting living art through the formation of a vertical garden. This innovative approach is particularly beneficial when floor space is restricted, offering an opportunity to introduce greenery into your environment. Additionally, mounting plants on the wall provides a practical solution to keep them out of reach from children and pets, ensuring their safety.
Frame a Mirror
With the simple act of raising the window blinds each morning, your bedroom can transform into an ideal space for incorporating plants. In this setup, a hanging plant occupies the corner above the hamper, while a duo of plants grounds the dresser and frames the mirror. For a unique touch, experiment with trailing the vines of a long plant around a mirror to introduce captivating shapes through greenery.
Explore Your Creative Side
For crafters, frequent travelers, or those lacking a green thumb, paper plants offer an appealing alternative. With a plant you’ve constructed yourself, such as this charming pilea, there’s no need to fret over watering schedules or plant care.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Enhance your beauty sleep by incorporating plants into your bedroom. Species like peace lily, snake plant, and aloe vera contribute to air purification, promoting a healthier sleep environment. Additionally, plants have been shown to uplift mood and induce calmness, which can be particularly beneficial during work-from-home periods. If your bedroom receives minimal light, fret not—many air-purifying plants such as pothos or calathea thrive even in low-light conditions.
Conclusion
Integrating plants into your home decor not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also brings numerous benefits to your living space. Whether you’re seeking to create a tranquil oasis, purify the air, or simply add a touch of greenery, there are countless ways to incorporate plants into every room. From small succulents to towering palms, the versatility of plant decor allows for endless creativity in design. So, whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just starting your journey as a plant parent, don’t hesitate to bring the beauty of nature indoors and enjoy the countless rewards it brings to your home and well-being.