Decorating
Rented Homes: How to Bring a Little Piece of the Outdoors In
For renters with little or no outside space, these simple gardening-inspired ideas will bring fresh greenery indoors
Garden space of your own can be a luxury extra in a rental, especially in city dwellings, and – understandably – many renters may be reluctant to spend too much time and money tending a landlord’s patch, even if they do have access to one. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the simple pleasure gardening can provide, even if you have to work on a slightly smaller scale. Browse these ideas for indulging your green fingers within your home.
Discover air plants
If you don’t have a good track record with plants – or much space to keep anything sizable – Tillandsia could be perfect for you. Surviving solely on air and water, they don’t require any soil, meaning you can go to town arranging them however you like.
They are generally small and inexpensive to buy, and it’s easy to build up an impressive collection that can easily be moved when you leave your rental. Just remember to give them the odd spritz of water to keep them going.
If you don’t have a good track record with plants – or much space to keep anything sizable – Tillandsia could be perfect for you. Surviving solely on air and water, they don’t require any soil, meaning you can go to town arranging them however you like.
They are generally small and inexpensive to buy, and it’s easy to build up an impressive collection that can easily be moved when you leave your rental. Just remember to give them the odd spritz of water to keep them going.
Hang it up
Limited surface space in your rental? Make the most of verticals and opt for hanging planters. Woven macramé ones can have a deliciously retro look and are relatively easy to make yourself, but if modern’s more your thing, there are plenty of contemporary hanging designs, too.
As long as the plants aren’t too heavy, they can be hung from a single nail or hook in your wall or ceiling. Or, to save damaging surfaces, attach an S hook to the end of each pot’s chain and hang from the edges of tall furniture.
Limited surface space in your rental? Make the most of verticals and opt for hanging planters. Woven macramé ones can have a deliciously retro look and are relatively easy to make yourself, but if modern’s more your thing, there are plenty of contemporary hanging designs, too.
As long as the plants aren’t too heavy, they can be hung from a single nail or hook in your wall or ceiling. Or, to save damaging surfaces, attach an S hook to the end of each pot’s chain and hang from the edges of tall furniture.
Fashion a dinky display
Succulents and cacti are some of the most forgiving houseplants, with most requiring only minimal watering, making them super-easy to care for. Have fun with their display, arranging a few together on a bed of gravel, or even placing them inside pretty lanterns or bell jars to prevent accidentally spiking yourself on any sharp ones.
Succulents and cacti are some of the most forgiving houseplants, with most requiring only minimal watering, making them super-easy to care for. Have fun with their display, arranging a few together on a bed of gravel, or even placing them inside pretty lanterns or bell jars to prevent accidentally spiking yourself on any sharp ones.
Fill a ledge
Windowsills can be a perfect place to display a collection of smaller plants, and sun-loving varieties will be particularly happy in such an environment. Their height can also help add a level of privacy to windows that are overlooked. And smaller plants will be easier to take with you – or less of a wrench to leave behind – when you move.
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Windowsills can be a perfect place to display a collection of smaller plants, and sun-loving varieties will be particularly happy in such an environment. Their height can also help add a level of privacy to windows that are overlooked. And smaller plants will be easier to take with you – or less of a wrench to leave behind – when you move.
9 ways to personalise kitchen fixtures in a rented home
Spread the joy
Single blooms displayed in jam jars or milk bottles can have far more impact than a full floral arrangement. If you have a tiny outdoor space, or even just a few pots on your doorstep, try growing some cutting flowers, so you can dot them around your home throughout the growing season. Or why not simply split up some cheap supermarket blooms into single vessels for a floral hit in every room?
Single blooms displayed in jam jars or milk bottles can have far more impact than a full floral arrangement. If you have a tiny outdoor space, or even just a few pots on your doorstep, try growing some cutting flowers, so you can dot them around your home throughout the growing season. Or why not simply split up some cheap supermarket blooms into single vessels for a floral hit in every room?
Keep plant pots portable
For large, statement plants or even small interior trees, opt for pots that are easy to move – both around the home for versatility and also for when you move on from your current rental. A woven basket, like this one with handles, looks smart and is easy to relocate as required.
Alternatively, look out for pots on wheels. More commonly used for balconies or terraces, they can be the perfect flexible option for interiors, too.
For large, statement plants or even small interior trees, opt for pots that are easy to move – both around the home for versatility and also for when you move on from your current rental. A woven basket, like this one with handles, looks smart and is easy to relocate as required.
Alternatively, look out for pots on wheels. More commonly used for balconies or terraces, they can be the perfect flexible option for interiors, too.
Venture out for a little foraging
If you have no outdoor space whatsoever, try going slightly further afield for a bit of foraging. At certain times of the year, fields, forests and marshes can be overflowing with pretty wildflowers or even fancy weeds, allowing you to fill several vases with ease.
How to display flowers like a pro
If you have no outdoor space whatsoever, try going slightly further afield for a bit of foraging. At certain times of the year, fields, forests and marshes can be overflowing with pretty wildflowers or even fancy weeds, allowing you to fill several vases with ease.
How to display flowers like a pro
Go sculptural with twigs
A twiggy display will see you nicely through the autumn and winter months. So next time you go on a country walk or seaside stroll, keep an eye out for dried twigs or foliage. They can look striking in a vase as a table centrepiece, with the added bonus of being free!
If you prefer a little colour, they can look wonderful spray-painted, too, for a touch of fun or even as an alternative small-scale Christmas tree.
TELL US…
Do you have indoor plants? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
A twiggy display will see you nicely through the autumn and winter months. So next time you go on a country walk or seaside stroll, keep an eye out for dried twigs or foliage. They can look striking in a vase as a table centrepiece, with the added bonus of being free!
If you prefer a little colour, they can look wonderful spray-painted, too, for a touch of fun or even as an alternative small-scale Christmas tree.
TELL US…
Do you have indoor plants? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Create a foliage-filled reading nook and benefit from the boost being surrounded by plants can bring. This formerly unused porch was transformed with minimal expense, and the plants within it thrive in the light conditions, but any cosy corner near a sunny window would work for a similar set-up.