I love plants. This surprises no one. I am currently looking at 10 plants in my living room alone. Plants have so many benefits to your mental and physical health, but they also do a lot for your interiors! Today, I’m sharing how to decorate with plants like a designer. You can elevate your own interiors without hiring anyone. How ’bout it?
Learning how to decorate with plants, or anything really, is all about the details. That’s how you get an elevated space. You pay attention to details, patterns, colors, architecture, and you plan your space and decor accordingly. You have knowledge of the elements and principles of design and you apply them to your space. That’s the mark of a pro. Here are the elements and principles of design to keep in mind when decorating your own home:
Elements of Design
- line
- shape
- space
- value
- color
- texture
- form
Principles of Design
- unity/harmony
- balance
- hierarchy
- scale/proportion
- similarity and contrast
This is what I aim to teach with this post:
I want to bridge the gap between the designer mind and the non-designer mind.
I want to teach you how to think like a designer, and that has everything to do with nuance. So let’s get into it, young grasshopper!
How to Decorate with Plants like a Designer
Why do designers choose not just to include plants, but to actually decorate with them? Well…
1. To add texture
Katie Hodges Design
Katie says in her post,
“When designing neutral spaces, distinct furniture silhouettes and visual depth are key.”
Katie adds depth, and texture with the addition of a large airy plant and then she repeats this with a smaller version on top of a side table with drawers.
2. To add historical familiarity
Harlem Toile Girl
Is there anything more classic than the hydrangea? Maybe the tulip or the rose? Either way, adding a classic floral arrangement to a space dripping in vintage character is the move.
Sheila says,
“I took a canvas painting out of a frame so that I could upholster my desk chair with that same view. Inspired by the colors of the river and sky, my ceiling is a soft shade of lavender and my walls blue.”
3. To mimic art
Erika Ward
This is a fun one! If you want to draw attention to and complement an art piece you have, add a coordinating plant! Plants are good for the soul, as is art. They are a perfect pair.
4. To add height
Brigette Romanek
This is a tried and true trick of the trade. Adding appropriate height to spaces is key to having interest on every visual plane. Think of it like a layer cake: how would you feel if someone just skipped the icing in the middle? You’ve got to vary the interest on each plane. Add contrast in color and texture; ie: vary your cake and icing, girlfriend.
5. To complete a small scale story
Luxpad Interiors
In the world of small squares like instagram, vignettes have become even more important! A special vignette is so important to add designer details to unassuming spaces. My favorite way to do this is by adding a small story to a console or corner of a room. It’s a delightful surprise and feels super luxurious and curated.
Pro tip: try to group items in 3s.
6. To soften hard edges
Right Meets Left Interior Design
See how much geometry is in this space? Right angles everywhere you turn, and Courtney, the designer, expertly softened this with color, texture, and a fluffy fiddle leaf! She even spoke to the texture of the room with the fiddle’s basket planter
7. To add grandeur
Eyeswoon
If you have a wall of windows, there needs to be a plant there, and it needs to be LARGE. Windows usher in light and nature, so you’re continuing with this design goal by adding nature inside as well. It’s cohesive and flows.
Your space will appear larger if your eye can flow easily from inside to outside.
Fun fact: Soooo many designers regularly forage for their branches! And you can do the same. You can literally update your home for free with stuff you find outside. Don’t believe me? I have receipts!
- Jewel Marlowe was on a walk when her neighbor was trimming the tree; so Jewel asked to take the yard “waste” off their hands!
- Jenny Komenda also posted last week a picture of a trailer hauling more “yard waste” in the form of beautiful branches and she said she literally just spent money buying the exact same thing. She could have gone dumpster diving for free lol.
- Jodi, from House on a Sugar Hill, forages for pampas grass and creates a DIY mantle! There is no shame in re-homing found and foraged items:-)
8. To give life to a corner/small space
Brady Tolbert
See how the plant is slanted?
Adding a small plant that is angled away from a corner can make the area feel more spacious because it draws the eye away.
It’s a great little trick when learning how to decorate with plants and why to decorate with them. There’s a method to the madness!
9. To offset electronics
Eneia White Interiors
Ah, electronics. We are now trying to conceal our televisions so they look like art, hide all traces of wires, etc. But sometimes, you just want to be reminded that the world is colorful and electronics might be part of your home, but they aren’t your whole home. Adding a plant breaks up the electronics.
Also notice the addition of the moons, which further brings in the natural elements.
10. To add warm simplicity
Studio Giancarlo Valle
Remember what I said about the vignettes? Architectural vases with plants floating off to the side on a natural wood table is almost too much cozy to handle. This space oozes simplicity and calm which translates to “warm and welcoming”.
Tiny moments and small details peppered through your home make a huge difference.
Minimalism is IN right now, so try this little trick with a bud vase on an unoccupied table. You can add a book underneath for height.
11. To add architecture
Eyeswoon
Are you noticing a trend? Learning how to decorate with plants will completely elevate your home decor game once you realize the power that architecture and silhouette have in your home. There are so many different plants, so go explore!
12. To raise the energy in moody spaces
Carmeon Hamilton
You know me and color: we’re besties. But you also know that in order for there to be light, there needs to be dark. Remember me talking about contrast? Enter: adding plants to brighten up moody spaces. And is there a better combo than green and a dark hue? You want proof? Sherwin Williams even makes a color called Greenblack.
13. To enhance other natural elements
Natalie Myers
Natalie says (of her quarantine),
“Three things keeping me sane at the moment: 1) nurturing my plant babies. 2) all the baskets I can get my hands on to coral the clutter 3) swapping rugs between rooms in the house.”
Natalie uses a lot of natural elements and neutral colors in her space. Adding live plants (not faux plants) improve your mental space (and who doesn’t need a little bit of that right now?). During our current pandemic, she’s finding solace in shopping her own home and decorating with plants. Follow her lead.
14. To soften masculine touches
Brady Tolbert
If you have masculine pieces, or even aged pieces, offsetting while complementing is the way to go. And you do that by adding plants! You can see that not all plants have to be huge to make an impact. I certainly don’t have room in my home for a large fiddle leaf fig tree (hello, 425 square foot apartment!). A bud vase adds the simplicity we talked about while softening spaces.
You’ll also notice the repetition of brown. Green and brown will forever be a winning combo because: nature.
15. To contrast full tile
Nicole Gibson
Rain forest vibes, anyone? Nicole does an excellent job softening the space that is a workhorse. A lot of hard tile is needed for the bathroom, so it can very easily come off as feeling cold. Add a plant to remedy this.
If you have an all marble bathroom, I especially recommend adding something green and airy.
16. To add wildness to a new build
Jenny Komenda
Jenny says,
“Highly recommend planting an 8’ tree in your unfinished great room if you’re craving just a little resolution in a life full of big, unfinished projects.”
Jenny’s reclaimed wood beams mixed with the fig tree and oversized terracotta planter help to bring life to new construction. Her kitchen was a complete renovation, so bringing in familiar objects and plants help it to feel less new and more like it’s been there a while. Plants help take the “newness” out of a new build, which directly translates to “I’ve been in this warm and welcoming home forever; won’t you come in?”
Bonus points if you add a historical plant like a fig in aged terracotta.
17. To add interest but not visual weight
Mikel Welch
Mikel says,
“We may not be able to go outside as much as we’d like, but we can still bring a bit of the outdoors inside. Fresh cut branches or greenery from your backyard, are the perfect way to introduce some spring energy into your home.”
Decorating can be a tricky balancing act to the non-designer. You know that you need items in certain places, but how can you not make it feel cluttered? How can you make it feel interesting but not weighed down? Hint hint: Exhibit A is above.
18. To bring in the boho
Justina Blakeney
Justina is the QUEEN of the modern boho home. So much so that she wrote a book about it, The New Bohemians. Her signature ‘jungalow‘ style pairs patterned textiles, an abundance of plants, lots of woven textures, and quirk. Think of it like you live in a terrarium, but make it designer!
19. To be art
Studio Giancarlo Valle
We’ve talked about plants mimicking art, but what about plants being art? You know how everyone from Kim Kardashian to Meghan Markle is dressing in head to toe monochrome? There is a sophistication and modernity, even edgy-ness, that comes from pairing similar tones. It becomes a work of art.
20. To add life to small or windowless spaces
Beth Diana Smith
Bathrooms can feel really cool and modern, but can also have something that feels like it’s missing. That something? It’s LIFE. I believe that spaces need living things to look their best. Even in a small guest bathroom, you can add a little something green to liven up the entire space.
Think of it like this: if you don’t factor in temperature, would you rather go to the park during the blooming summer, or the bare winter? Adding life matters.
21. To add a visual break to busy pattern
Casa Vilora
This is a great example of how to decorate with plants in order to offset certain harsh elements. I am a pattern lover, especially white and black, but sometimes that contrast needs a little break from the busy, ya know? Veronica is also a pattern and color lover and uses tulips in many of her spaces. Tulips are familiar, friendly, soft, and oh don’t even get me started on that perfect tulip droop.
22. To warm up cold elements
Nadia Casanova
Metals and natural stones can feel cold, especially marble, because marble literally is cold! That’s why pastry chefs use it to prevent butter from melting. Adding a plant to a tray helps to ground the space. It provides visual interest and a division between any lingering coldness among the elements.
Bonus points for adding hydrangeas to spaces with unique architecture! The contrast of hard angles and soft curves is just so good.
23. To accent organic shapes
D2 Interieurs
D2 Interieurs says,
“We designed this home with intention. Our goal was to create a farmhouse country estate that was neither too rustic or too modern. A clean aesthetic meets organic details throughout.”
Ohhhhh boy. D2 is one of my favorites for adding insanely awesome details all the places! Look at that entry table; the legs, the bowls, the live edge wood. It’s all amazing and there are so many special details on that one table that your eye needs to be drawn around. The tall plant does just that. It centers the space in a way that’s not heavy, while drawing your eye up to the sprawling ceilings.
24. To add purpose to ceramics
Casa Watkins
Stephanie says,
“If you’re feeling like you also need a boost, try some art therapy. Emotional and mental health is a longer journey, I know, but I’m happy that my love of creativity is blooming once again.”
We all have a collection of ceramics in our homes. And sure, a grouping of empty ceramics has a very modern minimalist vibe to it. Like Kim and Kanye’s “minimalist monastery” home (their words, not mine). But, adding even 1 sprig to a bud vase in your collection will warm things up. You’ll still get the modern minimalism you’re after, but it will be more aesthetically pleasing.
25. To add happiness to a work space
Hilton Carter
I’ve been sharing pictures of my workspace on instagram and if you haven’t seen them, let’s just say there are plants-o-plenty! I think plants in a workspace are important because they help you feel that you’re not trapped in a sad dungeon. Plants liven up a space and elevate the mood and energy, so you feel good! Adding plants to your desk (and your child’s desk!) is always a great idea if you’re looking for some extra motivation to work.
And there we have it, folks! Knowing how to decorate with plants like a designer is not as simple as it sounds. But if you browse for inspiration, you’ll notice a pattern. Designers are very deliberate in every single detail of a space. So that plant in the corner? It’s not just in the corner. Why is it there? How does it relate to in the space? What does it add? Ask questions and get better results:-)
Thanks for reading, friends!
-Kristen
