In many ways, decorating with plants inside your home is like decorating with any other piece. That means it’s best to adhere to the tried-and-true principles of composition, including harmony, shape, and proportion. However, indoor plants differ from other pieces in your home as they offer both physical and mental health benefits. For many people (including most interior designers), this makes plants fundamental to achieving a beautiful, balanced interior design.
Choosing the Right Plants for Your Interior Design
When you’re ready to incorporate plants into your overall interior design, it’s important to choose plants that will thrive in the space. If you’re planning to put plants in a room without adequate sunlight, be sure the plants you select are suitable for low lighting. You should also pay attention to the care various plants require. If you travel a great deal, you should look for low-maintenance plants that don’t require frequent watering. You should also research how large certain plants can be expected to grow. This will prevent you from choosing a plant that is perfect for your sofa table now but will disrupt the balance of the room if it grows much larger.
The Importance of Properly Caring for Indoor Plants
Before you pick the living art you’ll add to your home, be sure you’re prepared to care for them as instructed. A beautiful, healthy plant will enhance your interior design. Conversely, a plant that isn’t well cared for, turns brown, or loses its leaves will detract from the aesthetic appeal of your space. There are countless websites and apps that can tell you exactly how to care for your plants, including how to diagnose problems—use them!
Fill in the Gaps with Plants
Plants are wonderfully versatile accent pieces because there are so many varieties and sizes available. Larger plants can fill corners in your home, while tabletop plants can complement windows, side tables, dining tables, and home offices. Be sure you don’t overload a room when decorating with plants, as they’ll be competing with your other décor for attention. A couple of well-placed plants prevent your space from looking cluttered. If you need help determining the best places to add plants to your space, talk with an experienced interior designer.
Size Matters When Decorating with Plants
Just like it is possible to buy a sofa, armoire, chair, or rug that is the wrong size or shape for a space if you’re not careful, you may wind up with a plant that just doesn’t quite fit. So before trying to eyeball it at the nursery, measure the space you’re planning to fill with an indoor plant. This will ensure that a plant won’t dominate the room or appear too small for its space.
Health Benefits of Indoor Plants
Having a healthy home is just as important as having a beautiful home. Indoor plants fit both bills. House plants are known to have positive physical and mental health benefits, making them unique among home furnishings. In addition to improving the air quality in your home, indoor plants have been linked with:
- Expediting recovery from injury or illness
- Promoting more regenerative sleep
- Improving concentration and productivity
- Reducing stress
- Promoting mental health
Get Help Bringing the Outdoors Inside with Samantha Lee Designs
Samantha Lee Designs is an established interior design firm based in Eugene, OR. CEO Samantha Rouleau provides functional, flawless residential and commercial interior design services throughout the state. To learn more about decorating with plants, or about transforming your home into a space that brings you joy and offers improved functionality, contact us to schedule a consultation today.