Swiss cheese plants and devil’s ivy are now staples of inner-city homes. Their lush leaves can transform the spaces they’re in and create a sense of calm. The increased popularity of indoor greenery shows no signs of waning and we think that’s something to be celebrated. Adding plants to your home not only improves the aesthetic, it can benefit your air quality and reduce stress. We explore our favourite indoor plant ideas and how you can apply them to your home.
First things first, pick your indoor plants
Indoor plants are a fantastic way of adding depth to a space and breaking up the static structure of your rooms. To begin transforming the feel of the space with indoor plants, start small and research different types that excite or inspire you. It’s also a great idea to choose your plants based on the level of maintenance you’re happy to offer them – for example, succulents generally need less regular watering than air plants. So, if you have a busy schedule and prefer a more hands off approach, a lower maintenance indoor plant is probably for you.
Another consideration to make is how much natural light different types of indoor plants may need and ensuring that this is accommodated for wherever you place them. Assuming the environment is right, consider a hanging fern by the window, high foliage like a bamboo plant to give your space height or even a spread of cacti on a coffee table.
Here’s a striking example of how indoor plants can add colour, a sense of serenity and depth to a room from our portfolio:
© Matt Gamble
Go sky high with your indoor plant ideas
Vertical gardens are an increasingly popular, highly Instagrammable trend that looks fantastic if executed correctly. The idea is to transform a wall (or a segment of your wall) into a vertical garden using a frame to keep all your greenery in place. These can be a great option if you have limited floor space but plenty of wall space. You can use a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, or plastic, to create a structure that allows you to attach plants vertically.
Explore the array of vertical garden possibilities on Pinterest. To keep costs low, consider crafting your own vertical garden using materials like wood and rope entwined with climbing plants such as jasmine (Jasminum Polyanthum). Jasmine is a notoriously vigorous climber so you won’t need to wait years for the impact and it also releases a divine scent that trumps any shop-bought candle.
Get creative and build your own terrarium
When it comes to indoor plant ideas for smaller homes, we would be missing a trick if we didn’t give terrariums a mention. These are miniature gardens that are sometimes sealed – sometimes not – inside a glass container. You can easily build your own in a few simple steps:
1) Select your glass container and make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned
2) Add some small rocks or pebbles
3) Add some activated charcoal to prevent unwanted fungi growth
4) Once you’ve added your soil, place your plant selection in the container
Important note: try to select plants that require similar care to each other so that your terrarium can thrive. For example, succulents and cacti make great terrarium partners while ferns and moss are a fantastic match.
Your complete terrarium will not only add mood-boosting greenery to any space, it’ll also serve as a unique decoration for any room. According to our findings from our 2023 Happy Home report, it’s this sort of personal touch that can make your home feel more reflective of who you are and also contribute to how content you feel within it. Keep one on a shelf in the bathroom, pride of place in the centre of your coffee table or even on your bedside table.
Bring the outdoors in
Whether you’re not much of an indoor plant fan or you’ve simply got too many to keep track of, simply creating a window to the outside world can significantly boost the feeling of greenery in your home. A fantastic way of achieving this is by installing skylights or bifold doors that lead out onto your garden. Not only will this enhance the connection to nature, it’ll increase the amount of natural light in your home which is proven to have a positive effect on mood and sleep quality.
Skylights
Skylights are a type of window installed in the roof of a property. They let in plenty of natural light and can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Skylights are often used in homes to brighten up indoor spaces and give a view of the great outdoors. Some skylights are fixed in place, while others can be opened for ventilation. If you’re considering an extension, it could be a great opportunity to include skylights in the design. Book a free advice call with one of our consultants to discuss your options.
And if you’re looking for skylight inspiration, here’s a beautiful example from a completed Resi Project in Haringey:
© Matt Gamble
Bifold doors
Bifold doors fold in and slide to open. They’re made of large panes of glass that offer an open view to the outside world and, like skylights, lots of natural light. This type of door can be a great addition to a home if you're looking to bring more greenery indoors. Also, when the doors are opened, they allow for easy access to outdoor spaces like a patio or garden. This can make it easier to bring potted plants indoors during the colder months or to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Use natural materials in your decor
Another way to bring nature into your home is by using natural materials in your decor. Consider using wood, stone, or other natural elements in your furniture, flooring, and accents to create a sense of connection to the outdoors.
For more design ideas, click through to our archive of advice articles. Or, if you’re looking for renovation or extension help, book a free advice call with one of our consultants today.
© Matt Gamble
