Temza shares an ultimate interior designer guide to the best plants for your dream interior
“Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
Hans Christian Andersen
Plants, we love them, and we are almost sure you love them too! Interior designers, influencers, bloggers and celebrities have gone mad about all things flowers for the last few years. The precursor of the maximalist and happy trend in interior design, the jungle theme is the main character in many commercial establishments across London. Cafes, restaurants, hotels and offices, all incorporate the beautiful greens in their spaces. But while it is fun to spend your Sunday strolling down the Columbia flower market in London, looking after a plant does require care and dedication. Researches show that all the efforts to keep your new friend alive a worth it, though. But why?
Today our interior designers from Temza London are sharing what benefits of plants in interior design are, how to style with plants and which are the designers top flower picks for a beautiful and healthy interior, that will surely inspire.
Air purifying benefits
First and foremost, it has been proven that they have air purifying and cleansing properties. Researches show that they reduce the levels of toxins and breath in carbon dioxide, which is then replaced by oxygen. We all know that the air in London is not the freshest, therefore, creating a little garden corner in your home, would benefit your physical health, that’s why at Temza Interior Design Studio we try to introduce plants to every single project.
Benefits for mental health
As well as the physical benefits of plants in our everyday environment, they also have benefits for our mental health. Being in nature has always been perceived as a mental health healer. Studies have found that the presence amongst trees is enough to improve our mood. In today’s modern world, sitting in a room with plants can be evenly favourable for one’s state of mind. Beyond this, they also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping us to relax. No wonder many health centres, retreats, sanatoriums and spa salons are incorporating botanicals as part of their interior designs.
Personal growth and contentment
It is worth noting that except for relaxation properties and helping with depression, plants bring contentment and self-regard. The simple act of looking after plants brings joy, as nurturing any living being does. Nowadays we often forget about our surroundings, rushing from one task to another, trying to do it all, looking after plants promotes a sense of mindfulness, provoking attention to the present. As plants thrive in our care, the sense of reward leads us to nurture ourselves, which fuels the health benefits further.
Creating aesthetically pleasing interiors
Finally, plants are delicate and beautiful. As Hans Christian Anderson once said, “Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” A little flower or a plant can brighten your interior. It will change the mood in the whole house or apartment, making it more welcoming, peaceful and cosy. Head to our Shepherd’s Bush project completed by our interior design studio to see how you can transform your living room with a few plants and greens.
Beautiful plants found at Conservatory Archives
Now that we have discussed the benefits let’s go back to interiors. A couple of succulents or a pot of basil is just not enough and will not do the job for your home interior. Houseplants are big, and we have to approach the task of styling with them respectfully. Luckily we have prepared a few valuable tips for you, plus our own personal selection of greens for a stylish and homey interior.
More is more.
Image source @alexandravenkova
Maximalism is one way to go, only make sure you are dedicated and ready to spend enough time and provide excellent care to keep your little home jungle alive. Also, your house or apartment should preferably be well lit by natural light. Choose big and small plants, palms, leafy trees, cacti, succulents and blooming flowers. Use them as space partitions for open plan layouts; focal point features, or decorate empty shelves and alcoves.
Mix and match
Image source @alexandravenkova
Mix and match plant types. A great approach is to include different shapes, textures and tones. Plant them in mismatched pottery, baskets, quirky vintage containers and tins, for a fun and unique look. Currently, it is very trendy to mix ceramics and wacky pottery with polished surfaces and glass.
Match and match
Image source @alexandravenkova
If minimalism and symmetry are closer to your personal style, don’t be afraid to match and match. If you happen to have a narrow shelf, accentuate that narrowness, and make a virtue of it. Go for identical l pots, only plant different shaped succulents or cacti.
Hanging Plants
Image source @alexandravenkova
This is the option to go for if you have limited space. A solution that would add interest and dimension to your interior. Choose a draping plant such as ivy or Sweetheart vine in a hanging planter for beautiful cascading foliage, or if succulents are more your vibe, hanging terrariums are low maintenance and look beautiful grouped together.
Empty corners and furniture tops
Use large plants and make the most of empty corners. Use the greens to hide imperfections or add interest to the room. Sometimes a plant is an affordable solution and a much better decorative element than a new piece of furniture or artwork. You could also place your plants on top of free standing furniture. If your storage space is limited and you don’t want to spare those shelves, go for the next best thing-empty furniture tops.
Rejuvenate your bathroom
Plants in bathrooms create a substantial interior design impact. Bathrooms are an excellent space for greenery, plus, the low light and high humidity actually makes it ideal for more tropical species you couldn’t keep anywhere else.
And now here are some of our favourites:
Fiddle Leaf fig
Image source: Patchplants.com
We have seen it all over social media recently. And no wonder, this little big friend helps round out rooms when placed in empty, unused corners. It gives a fresh tropical look and is perfect for contemporary interiors, as it doesn’t overload the space with too much detail and colour. It will look harmonious and natural if you put the plant into a woven pot. Suitable for common space areas and living rooms.
Snake plant
Image source: Patchplants.com
Our office favourite and one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. This plant looks great in bright contemporary spaces, they would also create beautiful silhouettes in poorly lighten spaces. Its sophisticated shape draws attention. Plant it in a simple ceramic pot and let it be the star of the show.
Fern
Image source: Patchplants.com
Ferns are loving and fun and have a wild look to them. The best way to present it in the interior will be to hang the plant in a basket or put it on a pedestal. It creates a lot of texture as well as the illusion of “falling water”. It likes humidity, so perfect for bathrooms.
Dracaena
Image source: Patchplants.com
Exotic looking, dracaena is easy to take care of and can live for many years. Because of its similarity with the palm tree, many people from northern countries prefer to keep it, in order to bring a summer mood into their houses. Good for the living room.
Rubber plant
Image source: Patchplants.com
Add character to your interior with the flower pots
Not only plants are beautiful additon to your interior, but with the splendid choice of designers flower pots, you can add uniqueness and character to your interior. Check this cool flower Vondom Adan Small White to get inspired.
Last but not least, the rubber plant or also known as Ficus elastica is another outstanding leafy green. We strongly recommend this one to be your first plant. It’s pretty, but very easy to look after. Interestingly enough, Nasa has approved it as one of the best air purifying plants. We think it looks absolutely beautiful placed in the living room of our Drakefell Road Project .
For more information on both indoor and outdoor plants, head over to Patch.
At Temza Design Studio we love plants and botanical inspired interiors, if you are looking for more expert advice please feel free to get in touch
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