5 Reasons to Design with Houseplants: More Than Just Decor

Live plants are important home accessories — sometimes becoming key design elements on their own. Next time you see an unused corner or empty shelf, consider a plant. Five reasons why:

1. Plants as Functional Design Elements

Many suburban homes have great rooms. While homeowners love the concept, it's hard to define where one functional space ends and the next begins. Large indoor shrubs or trees are perfect solutions — use as room dividers or to flank areas for restricted passages.

Using a plant infuses life and avoids heavy dividers. Daring? Place a potted tree in the middle of a large open area for a soft divider. The sheer size and shape adds real punch.

2. Plants Soften Architectural Elements

Natural materials provide textures difficult to recreate. Sometimes there's no substitute for the real thing. Here, structured reeds soften a stone wall and wood columns. This concept works around large windows or flanking a front door — softness keeps hard surfaces from overwhelming the space.

3. Plants Fill Corners with Life

Portland designer Garrison Hullinger excels at using plants in interiors. For corners that don't suit furniture, consider a large plant. Placing this plant behind the chair makes the room feel intimate without crowding. Works best in low-traffic areas.

4. Plants Balance Your Design

The right plant in the wrong place throws off an entire room — too small for the space, or too much volume overwhelming nearby elements. When selecting large houseplants, consider volume, height, and width. A full tree blocking a window reduces natural light. You don't want to brush aside fronds to converse.

By considering height, width, and volume, you'll select a plant that fills the space perfectly. This tall, full tree balances the traditional writing desk and accessories across the fireplace. Proportion isn't about same-size items — it's about balancing weight.

5. The Planter Is Another Design Opportunity

A paint-dipped pot makes a statement next to an Eames rocker. Any other pot would disappear.

Access to well-designed planters is easier than ever. Most cities have garden stores with broad selections of interesting planters. Specify colored planters for your color story, metal for industrial feel. Improved resin technologies offer stone-look planters at a tenth of the weight.