House plants are having their moment right now and it’s no surprise why. Plants are living, growing organisms that breathe life into any room they are placed in. Decorating a living room with indoor plants can help you create your own oasis that the whole family can enjoy.
Many people can appreciate the decorative appeal of a tall Fiddle Leaf or vining Pothos, but did you also know that plants offer a variety of health benefits? Being surrounded by plants and nature can actually help reduce stress and ease daily anxiety. My previous blog post highlights some of the benefits of the Swiss Cheese Plant.
If you don’t have a green thumb, it might be hard to know where to start when it comes to selecting a plants for your living room. Here are a few things that you should consider before purchasing a plant:
- How much care can you provide? Are you comfortable watering or re-planting frequently?
- How much room do you have?
- What is the lighting situation like? Do you get enough light in your room for plants to thrive?
- Do you have pets? Some plants are toxic to animals and humans alike.
Those are just a few things to consider as you start shopping around. As you start to build your plant collection, you might be wondering how you can incorporate different styles of plants to create a modern living room. Below, I’m sharing my top tips on how to create the living room of your dreams by incorporating plants.
Decorating with House Plants: Top 5 Tips
1. Choose plants based on lighting and care needs
If you have a small, dark living room with minimal sunlight, you may have to choose low-light tolerant plants and place them as close to a window as possible. If you have a living room that receives a lot of natural, south-facing sunlight, you’re in luck because a lot of plants will be happy with that space. The direction that your windows face makes a big difference because that will determine how much light will be available on a given day. Here is a great list of plants that tolerate north-facing window light well.
2. Consider the scale of your living room
Are you in love with the olive trees and fiddle leaf figs of Instagram? If so, you might want to take a moment and consider if you have enough room to house a large plant. Monstera Deliciosa (also known as a Swiss Cheese Plant) can also become large and unruly if it’s not pruned back. Large and tall plants are great for living rooms that have more space and/or higher ceilings. A larger plant can also be a little bit more on the pricey side, so be prepared for the price tag (and possible heartbreak) if the plant dies.
3. Use shelves and plant stands
If you want to display a lot of different plants, having a shelf or bookshelf can help a lot. You can use wall shelves or bookshelves to display plants as long as their sunlight needs are being met. Plant stands next to a window can also look great if they are thoughtfully and intentionally arranged.
4. Match Your Plants with Your Decor
As you bring in your plants, pay attention to the color of the pot, shape of the plant, and/or the actual color of the plant itself. Greenery always pairs well with neutral decor. If you have different styles of pots, you can match them to other decorative elements like candles, tables, etc.
5. Check Your Plants Regularly
Always check up on your plants every 1-2 weeks to ensure that you don’t have any bugs, fungus, or diseases in your pots. Some pests can be tricky to get rid of in the home, so it’s always best to stay ahead of things and catch an issue early on. Checking on your plants regularly can also get you used to a watering schedule that makes sense for each individual plant. Not all plants have the same watering needs, so this might be something you have to dial in on based on the humidity and sunlight of your living room.
Plant Stands and Plant Decor
If you’re shopping around for ways to incorporate more plant decor into your living room, there are some beautiful plant stand options online. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Plant Stands
Pots for Plants
Three Modern Ceramic Plant Pots
Large white Ceramic Plant Pots
Always remember: have fun with it and don’t stress out if you accidentally kill a plant or two! We all have to start somewhere and many plants are actually forgiving housemates. Happy decorating!
