How to Incorporate Plants into Any Space

Interior Design with greenery

When we think about interior design we don't always think about plants. We might think about what shade we should paint the walls, the texture of our sofa fabric, how to design an accent wall, or even what items we hang on the wall.

Decorating with plants is timeless and has become increasingly popular in the last few years- not to mention the rise of the “plant mom” craze during the start of the pandemic. Some may think plants are hard to care for, and those people would generally be right. However, with the help of technology we can be sure that even the most forgetful or unlikely plant owner can take care of their “plant babies” with ease.

If you’re looking to use plants as decor but afraid of the upkeep, try downloading apps like Planta, Plantnote, Blossom or Flora to help you navigate the perfect location and care tips for your new green decor.

Now that you’ve made sure you have the tools to help you care for your plants, how should you incorporate them into your space? Taking into consideration a few factors like available light, plant types and the size of both the plants and the space you have are going to be the most important pieces of information.

Low light plants, and full sun plants

Not all plants require the same amount of light, these differing growing conditions will help you with your placements. For example, a bathroom may be warm and humid while in use, but cooler and less humid at night time. Differing conditions are not always ideal for most plants, but an asparagus fern, bamboo, or begonia may thrive in the fluctuating temperature, low light and humidity.

Contrary to low light plants, rooms in the house that get full sun can host home to plants like a snake plant or a monstera. Both of these plants are modern and trendy and large enough to make a statement on their own. A snake plant is extremely low maintenance and may help purify the air in your home. A great option for a sunny office or bedroom.

What type of plant should you decorate your home with?

If you consider plants in the kitchen - herbs are always a good idea. As long as you’ve got enough sunlight you can engulf your senses with an aromatic treat! Herbs like basil, parsley, chives, and cilantro thrive in direct sun. Not only do herbs look great, but you’ll have them fresh on hand when needed!

Should I use real or fake plants when decorating?

There is a constant battle between sides when we talk about decorating with fake plants. Some suggest placing a fake succulent in a group of real plants to make it appear more lush. Nowadays, fake plants are getting harder and harder to recognize. As much as we love this idea, we agree that it's better to go natural. There are tons of low maintenance plants like succulents, cactuses, or even an aloe plant that require little maintenance and can bring so much life to the room. Try grouping small succulents in threes for a modern and tasteful look.

Small Potted Succulents in Groups of Threes

Plants help you to connect with nature, and may even help you relax in your home. Yes, some do require maintenance, but they give you energy which you would never get from a plastic version!

Tall indoor plants

Los Angeles-based, plantscaper and professional organizer Lisa Shields says, “ Plants are just living sculptures,” and we couldn't agree more. There are many shapes and sizes and they all have unique leaf textures as well. Thinking of each plant as your own personal living sculpture adds an extra bit of warmth and uniqueness to your space.

Tall plants like Bamboo Palm, Fiddle Leaf Fig and Ficus Tree do very well on their own, next to the TV unit, arm chair, or even an empty corner in the house. See how we incorporated this bamboo palm into one of our recent room designs.

The Coachman Living Room Project ft. Bamboo Palm Plant

Where should I place plants in my home?

Placement can be the trickiest element when deciding how and where to use plants in your home. We suggest utilizing space like tables for singular or odd numbers of grouped plants, window sills and corners and any space that could use brightening up. There is no one size fits all answer on how to use plants for decorating. Plants can be used in every room of the house, and can even be mixed and matched with different sizes. Take into account the lighting, size of the plant, and size of the space you have available and of course your commitment to its maintenance.

There are many factors to consider when using plants as decor, try not to get overwhelmed. One of our favourite rules is that simplicity is always best. If you have any doubts try a few options and pick the simplest solution. Still unsure? Reach out to us on socials or email us for all your interior design needs.

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