Getting Greener - In Your Home

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Are you of fan of greening up your space? This time of year, do you long for something green and alive in your home? When I was taking my Staging certification through Barb Schwarz's (the inventor of the Staging Industry) ASP training, it was stressed that there should be some greenery in every room. I often don't stick to that rule in my Staging, but do think SOME greenery indeed breathes a bit of life into a space.

I found this interesting article with great tips to green up your space!

The process of turning your home from just another brick building on the block to a truly welcoming home can be an arduous one.

There is an innumerable amount of things to consider and it’s easy to let things get overcomplicated. So today we’re going to take the “complicated” out of the equation by learning how to use plants in home decor.

Plants have been used for hundreds of years and for good reason – they work! Their beautiful colors add a sense of life and vibrancy to any location and make them perfect for creating a welcoming, inviting home.

Here are some of the most important things to consider when using plants in home decor.

How to use plants in home decor: rule #1

Stick to the style: Style is the number one consideration when decorating with plants. You may have found the most gorgeous greenery you’ve ever laid eyes on, but if it clashes with your home’s décor, it’s going to do more harm than good.

For example, if your home has a very modern design, look for plants with solid colors and clean, straight lines. For someone with a ranch style home, some cacti or other prickly plants would be a good choice. Remember, you want your plants to enhance your home’s existing look, not stick out like a sore thumb.

How to use plants in home decor: rule #2 Get the right planters: If you plan to use plants around your home, there’s a good chance you’ll be placing them in some planters. And just like the plant should match your home’s decor, the planter should too.

Think stainless steel boxes for ultra-contemporary settings and classic Roman vases for more traditional homes. And don’t just let your planter be the place where your plant lives – let it work with the layout of your home.

Good examples include lining a front walkway, using them at each corner of a patio, or using them to frame something, like two small trees on the front porch of your home framing the front door.

How to use plants in home decor: rule #3:,/p>

Use plants inside and out Remember to use your plants both inside and outside the home. Don’t limit yourself to specific areas – every part of the home can benefit from a little plant life.

Take the master bathroom, for example. It may just be a bathroom now, but add a philodendron or two around the bathtub and it’ll start to look more like a spa.

If your patio’s looking a little bare, clear out a corner and add a water feature with some native plants and flowers in small decorative planters around it. It’ll make a feast for both the eyes and the ears!

Rule # 4: Place plants appropriately: Finally, remember to place your plants appropriately, both for aesthetics and plant health. For aesthetics, if something doesn’t seem to mesh, don’t do it just for the sake of being different. You may consider it unique, but your guests may consider it a total dud.

On the health side, be sure your outdoor plants are safe in bad weather and your indoors plants are placed so they can get plenty of sunlight, if applicable. The last thing you want is a hail storm to ruin your patio arrangement or your begonias to start growing sideways because they’re not getting enough light. Using plants in home decor has never been easier.

Plants have been one of the most popular ways to decorate ever since… well, ever! And it’s still that way today. Vibrant, green plants bring a sense of life and happiness to the home, creating a welcoming environment for all who enter. In the end, isn’t that what we’re all striving for? Happy planting!

Article by Tina Forman. Posted in Decor.

Pix courtesy of Atlelier de Campagne and Down to Earth Style.

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