A Beginner’s Guide to Decorating Your Home With Plants

Learn how to use plants to create a green oasis in your home.

We're now on Instagram! Follow us for more house inspo, tips, tricks and more…

Growing tired of your drab interior? Decorating your home with plants is one of the easiest ways to liven up an austere home. Interior designers often use plants to create warmth and add a touch of personality, texture, or colour to a space. Plants can also purify the air and increase oxygen levels by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. This increased oxygenation can have a positive effect on your mood, energy, and mental focus. Furthermore, green is one of the most calming colours, so it is a great way to make you feel more relaxed at home!

If you want to add a dose of greenery to your space but aren't sure where to begin, this article will show you how!

1. Determine the light levels in the area where you want to put your plants

Homeowners frequently make the mistake of purchasing a plant without first determining where it will be placed, but not all plants thrive in the same type of environment. It is important to ensure that the plants you buy are appropriate for the light levels in your home. Otherwise, the health of your plant will suffer.

‘Bright-light’ plants such as hibiscus, gardenia, jasmine, orchids, cacti and succulents thrive in strong direct sunlight most of the day. ‘Medium-light’ plants such as rubber plants, fiddle leaf figs, spider plants, aucuba leaves and ferns require partial, filtered, or indirect sunlight. Meanwhile, ‘low-light’ plants such as dumb cane, Dracaena, English ivy, snake plant and peace lily require minimal levels of natural light—for example, foyers or stair landings with mostly fluorescent lighting.

Once you have figured out the light level for the location where you intend to place your plant, you can browse and purchase plants that will thrive in that specific location.

Don't be afraid to move small plants around over time. You can use them as a table setting during formal dining and then return them to their proper place later.

Explore: Plant-Loving Homeowner Grows 'Jungle' in Her Duplex

2. Put your plants in a cluster to increase their chances of survival

When decorating your home with plants, try grouping them together to create an indoor mini jungle as seen in this Scandinavian-styled home. Grouping them together is beneficial for the plants for several reasons. When kept in groups, they create a microclimate that improves the humidity and health of all the plants nearby. Each plant emits humidity via transpiration, which is the process where plants absorb water through their roots and expel water vapour through pores in their leaves. Clusters of plants will create very good humidity for each other and the surrounding air.

Planting your plants in groups can also help filter light for those that don't require direct sunlight.

3. Display poisonous plants above the floor level to keep them away from children or animals

Some plants, including devil's ivy, English ivy, sago palm, poinsettia, and dumb cane, are toxic to both humans and animals. Chewing or swallowing dumb cane or arum lily, for example, can irritate and cause swelling in the mouth. Other plants, such as aloe vera, birds of paradise or English ivy, can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or hallucinations if consumed either by children or animals.

Having these plants in the house can be troublesome for homeowners who have pets or children, as they tend to grab, bite, or chew on anything they can reach. As a solution, keep these plants away from the ground. You can display them on shelves as seen in the living room above or hang them from the ceiling. This is also an excellent way to save space, particularly if you live in a home with limited square footage. Even better, they may receive more sunlight when placed on a high surface or hanging as compared to being displayed on the floor.

English ivy, for example, is a common plant you’ll normally see covering stone or brick walls on building exteriors. You can duplicate this same effect in your home to create a beautiful ivy wall. For a more contained look, you can let the leaves dangle loosely from a hanging basket or display them on an open shelf as seen in the modern living room above. These indoor hanging plants are best for places in your home where your guests can admire their elegant vines, such as in the living room.

4. Display plants of varying sizes, heights, textures and colours to add visual interest to a space

When decorating your home with plants, use a variety of sizes, heights, textures, and colours to add contrast, depth, and visual interest to the space. But keep in mind the size of the surrounding environment. A small plant on top of a large table may appear disproportionate, whereas a large plant may dwarf a tiny table next to it. Try to keep your plant in proportion to the rest of the room as shown in the Scandinavian-styled home below.

A great way to mix different plant sizes and heights in a room is to use one large plant as the focal point, then add balance and symmetry to the overall space with a small potted plant on a table or a tall standing plant in a corner.

5. Provide ample space for your plants to grow

When buying a plant, keep in mind that it will grow over time. Some houseplants, such as the parlour fern and philodendrons, can grow large or become unruly over time. Leave at least 6 inches of space (width and height) between your plants and any other furniture so that they have room to grow, as shown in this Balinese-inspired living room.

Don't forget to re-pot your plants once you've purchased them. Select a new pot that is at least two inches larger than the old one. This should give your plant roots plenty of space to grow!

Looking for professional help to renovate your home?

Drop us a request for a free quote and we’ll be happy to match you up with up to four interior designers close to your area, tailored to your budget and needs.

All recommendations made by Qanvast will be protected under the Qanvast Guarantee scheme that covers 50% of your contract value, up to RM50,000, in the case that the recommended Contracting Service Provider becomes insolvent.

Meet interior designers. Get quotes. Based on your requirements, we will recommend you up to 5 firms with the Qanvast Guarantee. Get Free Quotes