Going Green

Just in time for spring, we’re here to help you bring some plant life into your life

By Jack McLaughlin

If there’s one thing we know about spring, it’s the rebirth of the natural world, from leaves to tree blossoms and planted flowers. But don’t let the outdoors have all the fun: we’ve created a fresh home design section dedicated entirely to plants, how to spruce up your house with them, which ones to buy and much more. →

Start Out Small

While big plants can make a big statement, small pieces can be just as impactful, and are typically easier to manage. Don’t underestimate what a well-placed coffee table succulent can do for your diggs.

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Low Roof? Tall Plants

A great way to create the illusion of space and height (especially in a room with lower ceilings or a more enclosed feel) is by setting up a taller plant. Something like a fig leaf tree is a great option in this case.

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Find Something Simple

There’s plenty of time to get into the difficult stuff later. It’s best to start with plants that are easy to grow (and hard to kill, if you’re like me). Snake plants, spider plants, bamboo, peace lilly, aloe vera and so many more are great options.

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Brighten Up with Low-Light Options

If you’re searching for a way to liven up a room with dark corners or underlit sections, opt for a plant that prefers low light. There are a wide variety of options to pick from in this regard, including popular plants like the zz plant, snake plant and more.

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Small But Mighty

Have a table or space you can’t seem to fill out? Opting to combine a variety of smaller plants bundled together can create an interesting and eye-catching design element. To go the extra mile, combine plants with different heights and colors to produce a great deal of depth.

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Be Odd

This rule rears its head throughout a number of design practices, and it holds true when sprucing up your space with plants. Opting for an even number of plants can often end up being too symmetrical, which ends up looking awkward or rehearsed. Sticking with odd numbers creates a more casual, and natural, feel.

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Hang It up

While potted plants are great on a flat table, and will always have a place in home design, one way to create a fun, fresh look is to hang some of your smaller plants by the ceiling. While these might look elaborate, rope plant harnesses can be purchased at a wide variety of stores, and are relatively inexpensive to buy.

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Combine Colored Pots

Wrangling together pots in the same color palette can help keep a space unified. Or, you can do the opposite. Combining plants with a range of colors and designs can create a high-energy and eye-catching look.

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