Plants are one of the most important aspects of interior design. A bright pop of green helps to add colour to a space but there are also lots of health benefits to bringing greenery into your home. Plants have been proven to reduce anxiety, filter air, increase productivity and help you sleep better.
But there are so many plants to choose from. How do you know which will go with your interior decor? What do you need to think about before? And what about plastic plants?
Here’s everything you need to know about adding plants to your decor to make your home flourish.
What to Think About Before Adding Plants to Your Home
1. The Space
Almost all spaces can accommodate some type of plant. Even small bedrooms can be enhanced by a well-placed and airy pot of greenery.
But it is really important to consider how the space is used and whether the plant will get in the way. We often put plants in empty corners which is the perfect place to let them show off but is less than ideal if it’s a high-traffic area.
Furthermore, not all plants need to be on the floor. Wall mounts and plant art can work amazingly with some design decors. They’re also a real point of conversation!
2. The Plant
Not all plants work in all spaces (unless, of course, they’re plastic). Different plants require different amounts of water and sunlight and it’s essential to do your research beforehand. If you’re not a plant expert, stick to low-maintenance plants that are hardy and don’t take up too much of your time.
3. The Pot or Container
It’s not just the plant that can add colour and style to your decor, the pot is also a great way to enhance your decor. Not all plant pots are basic (although basic ones certainly have their place). Many can be ornate and you can find them in all different shapes and sizes. If the rest of your decor is bold and more luxurious, try finding an ornate or antique container that contrasts well with the green leaves.
If your style is more minimalistic, look for a simple yet stylish pot that brings a coherent look to your overall design.
Tips for Using Plants in Interior Design
1. Play with Heights
Plants are the perfect way to create a beautiful vignette. Vignettes are clusters of objects, often arranged in threes, which bring serenity and style to a room. Arranging plants together helps to create a wild yet calming atmosphere and encourages the eye to dance around the room. As is the case when styling everything from kitchen countertops to shelves, ranging heights is essential.
In smaller rooms, try using other objects such as candles and books and creating a vignette with a succulent. You can also use trailing plants which are a great way to soften edges, such as on a bookshelf, whilst adding colour.
Larger and more open rooms can handle statement plants such as big palms, monsteras and fiddle leaf figs. By placing these next to stands, boxes or smaller plants, you can create appealing clusters. Likewise, work with the furniture you already have in the room. Put plants of varying heights next to a sofa, chest of draws or coffee table to add variation.
2. Consider Colour
Not all plants are bright green – which is another reason why interior designers love them! You can always find one to go with your colour scheme. Some can be very dark, such as a raven plant, which can contrast amazingly with bright spaces or add allure to more elaborate decors.
Many plants have a purple tinge, such as calathea, which can be really intriguing – especially when combined with lighter plants or furniture. Generally speaking, lighter green plants bring freshness and vibrancy to a room. They can work well in darker rooms (providing it’s a light green plant that doesn’t need that much sun!) and small rooms.
3. Be Careful When Styling Large Plants
Large plants work a little like art. They’re amazing at drawing attention and commanding a room. But you want to make sure you don’t over-clutter the area. Large plants work best with a minimalistic interior and are particularly beautiful when surrounded by white walls to make them pop.
It’s good to give big plants space to flourish and not put too many decorative items around them. After all, they should be the star of the show.
4. Use Stands
Stands and plants go hand in hand. They help to create height differences (which, we know by now is very important) and they can also add character all by themselves. Whether you go for a more ornate stand or a stack of books, placing your plant on a decorative item can help elevate its beauty and position.
5. Try Hanging Plants
Hanging plants from the ceiling is a great way to draw the eye upwards, making the space feel roomier and brighter. There are lots of different ways you can use ceilings and walls to play with placement. Macrame plant hangers are very popular and go really well with minimalistic and bohemian interior decor.
If macrame isn’t in line with your style, there are plenty of other beautiful plant hangers. They work well around light fixtures and close to mirrors so that the vibrant green is reflected around the room.
6. Get Creative with Plants
Plants don’t just have to be something you put on a shelf. They can be a feature of their own in any room. If you’re decorating an apartment, a plant wall divider could be a perfect option. Try hanging plants off a metal divider to create a non-blocky partition in the room. Or you could use trailing plants, such as pothos, and wind them around a divider for extra coverage and beauty. There are so many fantastic ways to bring nature into your home with a plant.
Faux Plants vs Real Plants
Most designers are going to fall on the side of real plants. That’s not to say that faux plants don’t have their place, but the benefits of real plants well outweigh faux ones (as long as you remember to water them).
One of the most beautiful things about natural plants is that they change over time. Whether there’s a new leaf after a week or it grows much bigger in a month, real plants add a natural and dynamic quality to interior design. Faux plants tend to fade over time and can easily collect dust.
But, of course, faux plants are much easier to care for and you don’t have to battle with under/over-watering or dead leaves. And they can also be a great option if you’re renting out the space afterwards.
Plants in Interior Design – Should You Be Using Them?
The answer is probably yes. There are so many benefits to adding small, medium or large plants to a room. They help to bring colour, freshness, texture and a sense of calm. They can work with almost any interior decor and space – whether it’s a grand dining area or a small bathroom. Some plants work better than others in different spaces, so always do your research to make sure where you want to put your plant is suitable for its needs. If you do that, and follow these plant interior design tips, you’ll have a flourishing home full of light and vibrancy.
