How to Use Plants Indoors: Interior Design Tips

greenery is definitely having its moment—as it should!

Science shows us that bringing nature into interior design can:

Counteract negative effects of city living
Improve indoor air quality
Regulate humidity
Increase creativity & productivity
Reduce stress
Create a higher sense of overall well-being

It’s no wonder people are looking to incorporate plants into their interior design. Regardless the size or design style of your space, this trend works in every interior design project.

ready to bring some green to your interior designs?

Instead of being added as an afterthought, amazing designs can be created from planning spaces with plants as focal points. For example, use plants to soften the edges of a room rather than throwing one planter on a random table in the living room. Or use hanging planters and wall-mounted containers to add interest at different heights. Plants are truly a form of art, so use them as such by placing them on shelves or other spaces where natural gaps occur.

Plants come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures, making it easy to find foliage or blooms that complement your space. Select a planter the way you would furniture—match the overall style and color theme you are going for, but don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit. Some spaces may call for a single statement plant, while others may need a cluster of plants. Playing with different leaf textures within these clusters can make for some pretty incredible displays. Also consider dressing up planters by adding moss or rocks to the top of the soil.

recommended plants

living room

An elevated Monstera is a great statement piece to create interest.

bedroom

Lavender plants will add a subtle fragrance and promote relaxation.

bathroom

Ivy & pothos cascade beautifully from high shelves in bathrooms.

dining room

Small plant varieties, such as succulents, are great for dining room tables.

using plants in interior design

How do i choose a houseplant?

It’s best to start by analyzing your interior space to determine its lighting conditions. It’s important to note that light levels can differ in various rooms around a home or office. This is the absolute most important part of choosing an indoor plant. Placing a high light plant in a room that receives very little sunlight is going to end badly, no matter how great it looks in the beginning. Also take the following into consideration:

Overall space – If you are designing for a smaller apartment with size constraints, you probably won’t want to introduce Monstera, which can grow quite large if not maintained.
Style – Every design can be enhanced by the right greenery. For example, mid-century modern is all about simplicity. If you are designing for this style, you will want to find a plant with foliage that also complements the style—think fiddle-leaf fig.
Color scheme – Similar to style, choose foliage or blooms that complement the overall design scheme. Certain plants offer variegated (multi-colored) leaves in addition to the traditional solid green color we are used to.

What plants are good for inside the house or office?

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera)
Madagascar dragon tree (Dracaena marginata)
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Zebra plant (Calathea)
Elephant ears (Alocasia)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Song of India (Dracaena reflexa)
Succulents & cacti

Which trees are good for home or office design?

Fiddle-leaf fig (Ficus lyrate)
Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
Jade plant (Crassula argentea)
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)
Money tree (Pachira aquatica)
Umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola)

How can i incorporate plants into my interior designs?

Strategically place plants around a rough room to soften the edges.
Use wall-mounted or hanging planters to create interest at various heights.
Choose foliage or blooms that work with your overall design style and color scheme.
Mix up your plant displays by using statement plants in one area and a cluster of plants in another.
Play with different leaf textures, just as you would with fabrics.

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