Indoor plants in interior design: from windowsills to stylish accents
15.06.2025 | 14:35 |Indoor plants are more than mere decorations; they are powerful tools for creating a stylish and inviting interior. Plants not only enhance the aesthetics of a space but also foster a relaxing atmosphere. Contemporary designers actively incorporate phytodesign, transforming plants into integral decorative elements.
Plants in the Interior: Bold Solutions Beyond Windowsills
A common mistake that diminishes plants' decorative potential is confining them exclusively to windowsills. While these locations offer ample light, the plants often become visually lost within the interior. To ensure your indoor plants become a full-fledged decorative element, consider the following approaches:
• Suspended Planters by the Window: Position plants in hanging planters, allowing them to organically integrate into the space and become an inherent part of it.
• "Green Corners" on Shelves: Create compositions on shelving units adjacent to windows. This elevates plants to eye level and ensures they receive sufficient light.
• Mobile Arrangements: Utilize planters on wheels for larger plants. In the morning, they can be moved closer to the window, and in the evening, repositioned deeper into the room, becoming part of the interior display.
• Playing with Perspective: Place large plants closer to the center of the room or in corners against light-colored walls. This technique visually expands the space, adding volume.
Placement Selection: Harmony of Proportions and Functionality
The placement of each plant should be carefully considered. It is crucial that it harmoniously integrates with the overall proportions of the room and furniture.
For Floor Placement, the following are ideal:
• Large Vertical Forms: Such as ficuses, monsteras, dracaenas, ZZ plants, and palms. They create a sense of height and prominence.
• Plants with Expressive Leaves: These specimens will serve as striking accents, particularly in minimalist and brightly lit interiors.
• Tall Planters: They visually "stretch" the room upwards, making ceilings appear higher.
For Dressers, Shelves, Racks, and Tables, choose:
• Medium and Small Specimens: Such as peperomias, alocasias, spider plants, peace lilies, and calatheas.
• Trailing Plants: Including ivies, scindapsus, and tradescantias. Place them on the edge of a shelf or in hanging planters for a cascading effect.
• Succulents and Cacti: Perfect for workspaces and tables. They are compact, sculptural, and require infrequent watering.
Important: Always correlate the scale of the plant with the size of the furniture. A small pot will be lost on a large dresser, while an oversized one will overwhelm a small table.
Modern Trends in Phytodesign
Even in the realm of indoor plants, there are distinct trends. Following them is straightforward:
• Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf Fig): Elegant and stately, it becomes a true focal point in an interior, competing with furniture for attention.
• Calatheas and Marantas: For those who appreciate unusual patterns and vibrant leaf colorations.
• Scindapsus and Philodendrons: These trailing plants are favorites among contemporary designers. They look excellent in suspended arrangements.
• Olive Tree, Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus: Will infuse the home with an atmosphere of lightness and freshness.
• Cacti and Euphorbias: An ideal choice for admirers of minimalism and sculptural forms.
• Plants with Unusual Leaf Coloration: Purple, burgundy, or variegated (two-tone/multi-colored) leaves become vibrant color accents in the interior.
How to Choose the Ideal Planter
A planter is the frame for a plant, its "attire." It can serve as a neutral background or a striking design accent. Remember: unkempt, faded pots can detract from even the most beautiful plant.
Principles of Selection:
• Harmony with the Interior: Planters should complement the overall style of the room, echoing the color, texture, or style of wall finishes, flooring, or other decorative elements. This is particularly effective in neutral interiors.
• Accent Support: Choose planters that complement existing color splashes in the home—pillows, textiles, or paintings.
• Coordination with Furniture: For instance, concrete planters look superb alongside wood, glass, or metal.
Current Planter Forms and Materials:
• Simple Forms: Cylinders, cubes, and bowls without excessive ornamentation. Both matte and glossy surfaces are trending, as are glass and polished metal.
• Natural Materials: Glazed and natural clay, concrete, rattan, wood, and various metals.
• Vintage and Handmade: Vintage ceramic pots, Boho-style planters, or unique artisanal forms will add individuality to the interior.
Correct Planter Size:
The size of the planter should correspond to the scale of the plant. It should neither be too small, causing the plant to "disappear," nor excessively massive, so as not to "overwhelm" the space.
• For floor plants, optimal planter diameters are between 25–30 cm.
• For tabletop plants, 10–20 cm.
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