I love plants and greenery! Maybe it is the Swedish in me and spending a great deal of my childhood outdoors. Growing up in a country with such cold and dark winters, make it perhaps even more enjoyable to see the first signs of life outside in the spring.
In this blog post I will talk about ways of bringing nature in and how to successfully incorporate plants in your interior decoration.
If your home doesn't have a garden or a balcony, well-chosen houseplants can make a big difference to your well-being all year round.
I believe we can all succeed with our indoor plants (I know some people think they are plant killers by default); it just might take a little bit of practice and to make sure to choose easy plants to start off with.
Determine how much sunlight you have in the space you are planning on placing a plant. It is important to understand if the chosen plant will thrive in low, medium, or bright light. Read the instructions carefully when you buy a plant, so you know how much water it needs, its preferred location and how easy it is to maintain.
I must admit, I am not born with green fingers. So, this is exactly what I had to do. And when you finally see your plants thrive, it is magical!
Health benefits
It is not just about how they look; plants are beneficial to both our mental and physical health. During photosynthesis they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen which has proven valuable in extracting harmful chemicals from the environment. Leaving us with cleaner more purified air, which is easy to understand, is good for our health.
Plants increase humidity and decrease dust in the environment, which helps us fight off colds.
But what about our mental and psychological well-being?
Plants create a sense of calmness and relaxation that helps us reduce the feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. They can also lower blood pressure, help us concentrating, and improve our mood.
So, from a well-being perspective it is clear to see the advantages of surrounding ourselves with plants
So how do we incorporate plants in our interiors?
Plants will help liven up a space and add character to any room. And there are endless of ways to do this, the only limit is our own imagination and of course, the space we have at our disposal.
No matter what your décor style might be, try to be cohesive when you choose what planters to use. Planters are an easy way to make sure your interiors are tied together, and it instantly gives your space a more aesthetic appearance.
Read on for a few tips on how to get started.
“With all the different varieties of plants and planters available, your interior styling has endless possibilities.”
A collective take
Collecting plants in a group with complementary décor objects is a great way to create a beautiful still-life or vignette. This can be done on windowsills, coffee tables, side boards…. well anywhere really.
It can be a collection of different plants or grouped with objects that you like and that complement the scheme. This is a great opportunity to display objects that you have perhaps collected over the years and that have a story to tell. When grouping plants, consider the shape of the leaves, colours and height. For the most aesthetic appeal, these groupings work best in odd numbers, such as three, five or seven and so on. You can also plant several different plants in one pot to create a layered effect.
Make a statement
A statement or stand-alone plant becomes one of the major features in the space it is placed. It can be a floor plant or a table plant that is big enough to be a statement themselves.
Perfect for filling an empty corner or an awkward space, it will instantly create warmth and drama. A large plant (or a few) is great help when creating zones in open plan living, it marks where one ‘activity’ area ends and another one starts. If you are lucky to have large windows or glass doors, placing a statement plant here will make a seamless connection to the outside. Other places that I like placing larger plants is in bathrooms and entrance halls, if the light is adequate.
If you are worried about the upkeep, incorporate low maintenance plants like cacti or succulents.
Trailing it
I think trailing plants are incredibly versatile in interior decoration. Add trailing plants to hang off your bookcase, shelves, or any higher space in your room. It will bring energy and flow to the area through its line of vision.
These plants are also great for plant pots hanging from the ceiling or to frame an object. Try hanging three planters from the ceiling at different length over a console table to add interest. If you are after a boho accent, use a Macrame plant hanger.
Keeping it fresh
Fresh cuts and branches from your garden (if you have one), collected elsewhere or bought in a shop are great for adding colour and texture and is an easy way to add seasonal variety to your interiors. It doesn’t need to be flowers; it can be a branch from an evergreen bush or a tree. It can even be a great looking dried branch, so it doesn’t necessarily need to be alive. Place them in a nice vase or pot and you have a lovely display. I make it into a habit of using some of the branches being cut off when trimming bushes or trees in the garden. This way it gets a chance to be enjoyed for a little bit longer.
Project propagation
When you have got a few plants going and feel confident enough to try to make your collection grow yourself – set up a propagation station. Choose some beautiful miniature glass bottles or vases, Google your plants, and see if they are a good candidate for propagation. Follow the instructions and put your little ‘babies’ in a south facing window or other bright place.
Not only is this lovely from a décor point of view, if you have children, it is also an exciting project for them to get involved in.
Some plants are easier than other to propagate so make sure you start with something easy to get your confidence up.