At AAG constructions, when it comes to styling a space, we are big on plants. There’s a special feeling you get when you walk into a room filled with greenery, and it usually results in a smile and a certain kind of ease. Although there is more involved in styling your home with plants, the rewards are well worth it.
Many people chose to style their home with plants simply because of the aesthetics, but did you know that indoor plants can also have an impact on our health?! Indoor plants can assist in reducing carbon dioxide levels and act as a natural filter to certain kinds of pollutants such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide. They can also act as a natural humidifier as 10% of the moisture in the air that we breathe, is created by plants. Plants can also have an impact on our mental health at home as well, with studies showing that indoor plants can reduce our stress levels and even improve our self esteem! If this alone hasn’t completely sold you on filling your space with plants, here’s the final kicker – they look pretty as hell!
So before you go racing out the door to your closest nursery, here’s a few things to keep in mind:
Planning your plants
So it’s time to style up. You have your fundamentals in place, your couch, dining table, beds, rugs etc. Now all you need are the plants to bring it all alive (quite literally)! It’s time to do some planning before you head down to the nursery. You will want to have an idea of what you like and what size plants will work in your space. There is no point in spending hundreds of dollars on an indoor plant that needs full sun.
A good place to start is the big world of the internet. Devour pinterest, instagram and even google for ideas of what plants are best in different areas of the home. Try to think about what style the rest of your home is – traditional? Modern? Moroccan? Bohemian? This will give you a good starting point for your research.
Once you get to the nursery, if you are unsure if a plant is suitable the people, don’t be afraid to ask a staff member who should be able to fill in any of the blanks! We also recommend asking a staff member to assist you in choosing a healthy plant, so that you don’t bring home a distressed or ill plant.
Finding the right posts for your indoor plants
Once you have got all your plants into your trolley, you will now need to find suitable pots, baskets or bags for them. Styling your plants is not a science, and it might take some time changing baskets or pots until it is just right. There is no hard and fast rule, but the most important thing is that you are having fun along the way, and that you end up with a beautiful plant in your home that you absolutely love. So it is totally up to you if it’s going to be a ceramic pot or maybe a terra cotta planter. Work that right side of your brain and get creative!
TIP: Don’t forget to keep the care information that comes along with all of your plants. You will continually refer back to this so you don’t over water or under water your plants (especially if your not a natural green thumb).
The future for your plants
Plants are forever changing and it’s important to remember this when you are selecting them at the nursery. Before committing to a plant, consider its size and what you should expect from this plant going forward, particularly how large it will grow. If you are after a large plant to fill a space you might want to consider buying a well established plant. Some plants are slow growers and may take a while to achieve the look you are after.
Flowering plants are often sold while they are in flower. Eventually the plant will stop flowering and it is up to you to look after this plant well enough for it to flower again, so make sure you consider what the plant will look like in between flowering.
Give it a go!
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You won’t be successful 100% of the time but you will always be rewarded by the feeling you get when you walk into a room filled with greenery.
Recommendation: If you are interested in learning more about plants and styling, we absolutely love “Plant Style” by Alana Langan and Jacqui Vidal of Ivy Muse. Available at most large bookstores.
