Trends: 12 Ways to Bring Houseplants into Your Home
The health benefits of indoor greenery are well known, but houseplants can also make a huge difference to your décor
Karen Wilson
23 March 2015
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience in both the regional press and national magazines. I've picked up loads of tips from homeowners and experts alike, having visited hundreds of gorgeous real homes across the North of England.
UK based Houzz contributor and freelance property and interiors journalist with experience... More
Houseplants were huge in the 1970s, but the trend tailed off and we’ve only recently begun to see a revival in the last few years. Increasingly impressive fake foliage, indoor living walls and a need for some indoor nature to balance out our tech-filled modern lives are all factors playing a part. And hurrah, because there are ways to introduce houseplants that will enhance every scheme.
Make a plant a focal point
Think of your houseplants as sculptures and choose something like this easy-to-grow fiddle-leaf fig, with well-defined broad leaves that will grow large. Boost the effect by displaying more sculptural shapes nearby. If you’re short of artwork, try training it to grow and cover an expanse of blank wall.
Do your planting inside and, once you’ve settled a heavy monster like this, be aware that you’ll be hard pushed to move it…
Check out more ways to use neutrals
Think of your houseplants as sculptures and choose something like this easy-to-grow fiddle-leaf fig, with well-defined broad leaves that will grow large. Boost the effect by displaying more sculptural shapes nearby. If you’re short of artwork, try training it to grow and cover an expanse of blank wall.
Do your planting inside and, once you’ve settled a heavy monster like this, be aware that you’ll be hard pushed to move it…
Check out more ways to use neutrals
Help them stand out
Although orchids sometimes get criticised for being too clichéd, they can look so elegant. And if your scheme features Asian influences, an orchid will really fit right in. Just make sure it looks up to date by teaming it with a midnight blue or dark grey backdrop, as these strong paint colours will really make the white flowers stand out.
Although orchids sometimes get criticised for being too clichéd, they can look so elegant. And if your scheme features Asian influences, an orchid will really fit right in. Just make sure it looks up to date by teaming it with a midnight blue or dark grey backdrop, as these strong paint colours will really make the white flowers stand out.
Prettify your pots
You might like to let your leaves do the talking, but if you have an accent colour in your scheme, a pot can be a good way to tie it in, as well as making your plant stand out. You could easily DIY an old pot with paint specially colour-matched to echo a favourite piece of furniture or accessory. Consider what else you can paint with it before you head to the paint mixing store, though, since these bespoke mixes generally don’t come in tester pot sizes.
You might like to let your leaves do the talking, but if you have an accent colour in your scheme, a pot can be a good way to tie it in, as well as making your plant stand out. You could easily DIY an old pot with paint specially colour-matched to echo a favourite piece of furniture or accessory. Consider what else you can paint with it before you head to the paint mixing store, though, since these bespoke mixes generally don’t come in tester pot sizes.
Curate a collection
Why stop at one plant? Create a tableau of foliage, mixing tall, spiky succulents, such as mother-in-law’s tongue, with delicate ferns and trailing Tradescantia – and you can completely alter the feel of a space. You can practically see the oxygen those leaves are generating…
One of the beauties of having lots of plants is that the eye is drawn to the whole, rather than to individual specimens – meaning mismatched pots and unkempt leaves work just as well as a manicured solo number. If your look is a little less eclectic, go for a pot colour theme – all whites, terracottas or blacks, say – to create a tidier effect. And if you only have a windowsill, gather a collection of glass jars planted with little succulents for the same look, but in miniature.
Why stop at one plant? Create a tableau of foliage, mixing tall, spiky succulents, such as mother-in-law’s tongue, with delicate ferns and trailing Tradescantia – and you can completely alter the feel of a space. You can practically see the oxygen those leaves are generating…
One of the beauties of having lots of plants is that the eye is drawn to the whole, rather than to individual specimens – meaning mismatched pots and unkempt leaves work just as well as a manicured solo number. If your look is a little less eclectic, go for a pot colour theme – all whites, terracottas or blacks, say – to create a tidier effect. And if you only have a windowsill, gather a collection of glass jars planted with little succulents for the same look, but in miniature.
Green up your kitchen
Kitchens aren’t always an obvious choice for a statement houseplant, which is a shame, as this greened-up country cook space proves. Plants can be excellent air improvers, and certain species are especially good in kitchens. If your kitchen is badly ventilated, for example, the properties of a peace lily can help to dehumidify the atmosphere, while other types will absorb cooking smells.
This money plant, however, is simply doing the job of looking stylish and perfectly solving the problem of what to put in that awkward window alcove, where it is flourishing in the sunshine.
Kitchens aren’t always an obvious choice for a statement houseplant, which is a shame, as this greened-up country cook space proves. Plants can be excellent air improvers, and certain species are especially good in kitchens. If your kitchen is badly ventilated, for example, the properties of a peace lily can help to dehumidify the atmosphere, while other types will absorb cooking smells.
This money plant, however, is simply doing the job of looking stylish and perfectly solving the problem of what to put in that awkward window alcove, where it is flourishing in the sunshine.
Go monochrome
A structural plant with darker, striped leaves, such as this flaming sword, can work well in a contemporary monochrome room. Keep the container simple and unfussy for a seamless, uncluttered look that will make your plant feel more like an integral part of the design, rather than a standout piece.
Explore more ideas for monochrome schemes
A structural plant with darker, striped leaves, such as this flaming sword, can work well in a contemporary monochrome room. Keep the container simple and unfussy for a seamless, uncluttered look that will make your plant feel more like an integral part of the design, rather than a standout piece.
Explore more ideas for monochrome schemes
Revive those retro plants
Plants that were popular in the 1970s, such as rubber plants, spider plants in macrame hanging baskets and philodendrons with their large leaves – are definitely making a comeback.
If you’ve assembled all the elements of a classic midcentury modern living room – the G-Plan coffee table, the funky retro wallpaper, and the spindly legged Danish-style sofa – pay attention to detail and finish off the look with some nostalgic foliage, too.
Plants that were popular in the 1970s, such as rubber plants, spider plants in macrame hanging baskets and philodendrons with their large leaves – are definitely making a comeback.
If you’ve assembled all the elements of a classic midcentury modern living room – the G-Plan coffee table, the funky retro wallpaper, and the spindly legged Danish-style sofa – pay attention to detail and finish off the look with some nostalgic foliage, too.
Celebrate spring bulbs
How about some house flowers? The soft whites in this contemporary kitchen really come together with the simple addition of a pot of cream flowering hyacinth bulbs. Floral pots don’t have to be a blaze of colour, and these pale seasonal blooms will smell fabulous, too.
How about some house flowers? The soft whites in this contemporary kitchen really come together with the simple addition of a pot of cream flowering hyacinth bulbs. Floral pots don’t have to be a blaze of colour, and these pale seasonal blooms will smell fabulous, too.
Add height to a corner
One thing that many successful room schemes have in common is objects of varying heights. So instead of the default option of a standard lamp, why not use a tall palm to add interest to a corner instead? Bamboo would also work well, and either will transport you right back to your holidays. You could even add fairy lights for illumination.
One thing that many successful room schemes have in common is objects of varying heights. So instead of the default option of a standard lamp, why not use a tall palm to add interest to a corner instead? Bamboo would also work well, and either will transport you right back to your holidays. You could even add fairy lights for illumination.
Breathe life into a bedroom
There’s something incredibly cheering about waking up to the sight of a healthy, leafy plant. That connection to nature just makes you feel instantly more alive. Whether you go for a green giant in a floor pot, or a mid-size plant popped on a stool or side table, make sure at least a good chunk of it is visible from your bed for the full effect.
There’s something incredibly cheering about waking up to the sight of a healthy, leafy plant. That connection to nature just makes you feel instantly more alive. Whether you go for a green giant in a floor pot, or a mid-size plant popped on a stool or side table, make sure at least a good chunk of it is visible from your bed for the full effect.
Arrange a table display
Group together small ferns and low-growing plants in a basket or on a tray for a quick and easy display that would work equally well on a coffee table, console or dining table as a centrepiece.
To add variety, encase one or two in a hurricane lamp or cloche. Go for a relaxed feel with three different heights or, if you prefer precise and ordered, line up three identical plants on an oblong tray.
Group together small ferns and low-growing plants in a basket or on a tray for a quick and easy display that would work equally well on a coffee table, console or dining table as a centrepiece.
To add variety, encase one or two in a hurricane lamp or cloche. Go for a relaxed feel with three different heights or, if you prefer precise and ordered, line up three identical plants on an oblong tray.
Soften the bathroom
Plants are a great way to stop an ultra-modern bathroom from looking too stark and clinical – and if you’ve opted for neutral tiles, a touch of greenery can really change the mood. Add baskets and wooden accessories along with orchids, and you have a hint of the Thai tropics in an instant.
Certain plants thrive better than others in a steamy atmosphere and orchids and palms are just two of these. Ferns love humidity, too – just make sure you have a source of natural light, or you might need to fake it. But that’s another story…
TELL US…
Does your home pay homage to houseplants? We’d love to hear your tips and see your photos in the Comments below.
Plants are a great way to stop an ultra-modern bathroom from looking too stark and clinical – and if you’ve opted for neutral tiles, a touch of greenery can really change the mood. Add baskets and wooden accessories along with orchids, and you have a hint of the Thai tropics in an instant.
Certain plants thrive better than others in a steamy atmosphere and orchids and palms are just two of these. Ferns love humidity, too – just make sure you have a source of natural light, or you might need to fake it. But that’s another story…
TELL US…
Does your home pay homage to houseplants? We’d love to hear your tips and see your photos in the Comments below.
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Some of my plants are floor-to-ceiling. Big plants make more impact than small ones (sounds obvious) and they don't dry out as fast, so are less trouble.
It used to be the fashion to have a border or frieze at the top of the walls, just under the ceiling. My bedroom has one - of living leaves!
I'm into succulents and cacti and have 'prettyfied' a few terracotta pots with paint and glittery nail varnish. Old ceramic tiles make good plant holders too.
Oops the photos look squished????