Weekly Design Inspiration: Why plants make the best accents in your home

I love plants. They breathe so much life into a room! You know as soon as you step into a room with plants that things live here. People live here. You know that because those plants wouldn’t live without someone to take care of them, and those plants wouldn’t be there unless someone enjoyed them. This may sound obvious but psychologically it makes a difference to the look and feel of a room.

I also love how many shapes and sizes plants come in. The spectrum is endless and it makes it so easy to pick one that fits perfectly in your space.

Source: Kate Marker

I absolutely love fiddle leaf fig trees. Their asymmetrical nature and broad leaves make them wonderful accent plants in any room. They can be a bit tricky to keep healthy though. Some tips to keep your fig tree happy; Lots of light, Water them thoroughly but not too often, spray the leaves if your house is dry or the leaf is losing its shine, keep the leaves clean and keep it in a place free of drafts.  

Source: Candace Plotz Design

Design Tip: if you are using a basket like the one pictured above, ensure your planter is lined. Otherwise, use a plate or planter dish inside the basket so the water doesn’t accidentally run out the bottom if you overwater.

Source: @Evalarocqueinteriors

Not everyone has a green thumb, so for those people I would suggest leafy green branches in a vase. They may only last a couple weeks but you can have a rotating selection depending on the season and use your favourite vase every time. Eucalyptus is a great choice and you can buy them by the bunch from your local florist. Find out what else they can recommend to keep your dining table green ( or orange in the fall with dried magnolia leaves, or pink in spring with magnolia blossoms).

Source: @Jaimeeroseinteriors

I love how the branches in this pantry pull the focus slightly right. It makes a perfectly symmetrical space appear slightly asymmetrical for the photo. It also anchors two different visual triangles. The first being the bowl of oranges with the hanging pendant light, the second triangle is from the top of the branches to the orange bowl and back across to the rolling pin. The artful placement of accents on this back counter perfectly accomplishes a lived in feel without looking cluttered or overly personal. 

Source: Bria Hammel Interiors

Olive branches are another favourite. They look great in your front entry or as a bathroom accent!

Source: @Madebycarli

Broadleaf plants are great for statements because the large leaf is so solid and uniform it’s impossible to ignore. This Philodendron bipinnatifidum is easy to care for and only needs partial sunlight which makes it a perfect statement piece for a place that isn’t always well lit. Pair it with a coordinating ceramic and place it so that you have a triangle or rule of three for your front entry like seen in the picture above.

Source: @Chrislovesjulia

Lastly, I am absolutely obsessed with the olive tree in the corner. Sometimes the space just screams “Put a plant in the corner” & I think this is one of those times. I love the presence that the stone pot brings to the room. Very zen.