Integrating Plants in Your Interior
Many interior designers include plant decorations that blend in perfectly with their interior designs giving the room a little natural sparkle along with all of the benefits that plants afford.
Plants are beneficial for our mental and physical health.
The absorption of carbon dioxide and the release of oxygen that occur during photosynthesis has been proven to be valuable in extracting chemicals from the atmosphere, a process called phytoremediation.
Not only do plants absorb harmful chemicals, leaving us with a cleaner, more purified air, they also play a role in our psychological well-being.
Increasing a sense of calmness and relaxation, while decreasing feelings of stress, depression and anxiety, houseplants have the ability to boost our self-esteem and sense of self-control. By bringing our mind to a peaceful state, plants also give us the advantage of heightened productivity and creativity, by enhancing concentration and memory stimulation in the brain.
How To Include Plants In Your Interior Design
Plants bring life, color, and positivity into a room, so including them in interior design proves to be of high importance, regardless of what the design style may be.
When choosing plants for your interior design, it is important to take into consideration the size and style of the room. For instance, larger plants are most commonly used in large, open spaces, while smaller plants and flower baskets tend to be recommended for smaller spaces.
Plants and flowers should create a sense of harmony, and not clash with the decor of the room, making the choice of color also important. Green plants preferable suit a simple background; think simple, solid colored walls or simple wall art. Below is a stunning design, created by Lumar Interiors, where a small green tree has been added to this simple but elegant living room, creating the perfect amount of energy.
A little extra character can be added with the use of a pot, basket, or vase. But just as the color is important to the ambience of a room, so is the decor you place your plant in. Choose pots and such that will blend in with the overall scheme and decor of your home.
Including Colors Of Nature In Other Ways
Due to their lifestyles and work commitments, many people don’t have the time to water and look after plants, but yet are lovers of nature’s beauties. In this case, the use of a unique and stylish mural, reflecting nature’s best qualities, could be the perfect solution.
As you can see, this mural from LimitLess Walls has brought a fresh, natural look to the room. You can find a variety of nature-themed wall murals, or even create one using a photo of your choice.
Contemporary Interiors And Plants
Plants and flowers can be part of both traditional and contemporary interior designs.
Using them in contemporary designs can sometimes be more of a challenge as contemporary styles are characterized by simplicity, while plants, on the other hand, bring to mind nature’s wildlife. The combination of modern and natural aesthetics can offer a great contrast, but be sure to use plants that will merge nicely with the rest of the decor, creating a unique and stylish look.
In the following photo, interior design firm High Road Design Studio, LLC perfectly demonstrates how a green touch can add so much character and color to a contemporary room.
Traditional Interiors And Plants
Traditional interior designs integrate with plants very well. Wooden and bronze materials, which are common in traditional designs, pair nicely with a bit of green. Randy Trainor’s design showcases how tradition and nature blend together, adding texture to the space.
Choosing The Best Plant For Each Room
Living Room
You can place small trees, either with green leafs or colorful buds, and flowers in small vases to add tone and texture. Placing larger plants in the corner will provide the wonderful visual effect without getting in the way, and planting flowers in glass pots or shallow pans will add a unique touch to your design.
Nandina Home & Design uses both a tree and flowers in this chic design, showing how a tickle of green creates a warm and stylish space.
Kitchen
From a Feng Shui angle, flowers and plants in the kitchen are a source of energy. When decorating a kitchen with indoor plants, it is best, however, to choose one that thrives well in warm, and possibly humid, environments, since cooking increases the kitchen’s temperature. There are many plants that suit an environment such as this, for instance, Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Spathiphyllum, Philodendron, and Pothos.
Another option would be to plant herbs, combining the element of cooking with interior design. Below is an interior design, by Nandina Home & Design, where bright colored sunflowers add a shine to this amazing kitchen design.
Bathroom
Placing plants in the bathroom in an excellent way to freshen up the room. When deciding on plants for your bathroom decor, it’s best to choose plants that are a bright, happy color, and again, that are friendly to humidity and moisture. Preferred bathroom plants include Boston Fern, Philodendron, Cast Iron Plant, Spider Plant, Pothos, Orchid, and Bamboo. Nicola Interiors shows a perfect example of how a small piece of greenery adds to such a stylish bath area.
Bedroom
There is a debate regarding whether plants should, or should not, be placed in the bedroom. Some argue that the lack of light during the night hinders the process of photosynthesis, leaving plants to release carbon dioxide instead of purify the air.
On the other hand, there are theories that support having plants in the bedroom, saying that they bring great vitality and life to the room, as well as being therapeutic, aiding in a healthy sleep environment.
If you choose to have a beautiful plant in your bedroom, choose one that enhances relaxation and sleep. Popular bedroom plants include: Lavender, Orchid, Spider Plant, Valerian, Peace Lily, Aloe Vera, Gardenia, Golden Pothos, Jasmine, Snake Plant, and of course, the Bamboo Palm Plant, which is featured in the photo below, designed by Terrat.Elms.
Dining Room
Due to the common design of dining rooms, we often have empty corners that need a bit of decor as a finishing touch. Plants are the ideal choice as they create a fresh, harmonious atmosphere whilst also beautifying your dining area.
Colorful flowers in a clear, crystal vase or a small tree filling in a corner space, such as the one seen in the interior design by Nandina Home & Design, will add immense color and texture to the room.
Plants and flowers are invaluable to interior design. They adorn each room and exude positive vibes and energy. House plants and nature-themed art are great ways to add a positive aesthetic to your interior design.
Read my other Medium articles:
Self-help can be as easy as picking the right wall colors using the psychology of color.
Learn the secrets to perfectly mix and match traditional & modern designs.
Live more naturally by picking an earth color theme.
Learn 4 pro tips for fireplace designs to add warmth to your interior.
