BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Decorate With Houseplants

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Living plants add an element of peace and vitality to the home, balance color and décor and naturally filter the air. Whether you want to add an extra element to your room's current theme, create a living focal point for a room, or cover up some unwanted aspect of the room, living plants offer an exciting decorating opportunity.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Choose plants whose needs you can meet. Different plants require different amounts of light and water every day, and you may be looking for a plant for a low light or a high light area, or even an area that is low light during some parts of the day and high light during others. A plant nursery employee should be able to tell you what plants will fit the lighting in your room, and most plants that you can buy at a home warehouse have a tag that explains the plant's water and light needs. Plants that do not get their light needs will not be as healthy and may end up causing you more trouble than you had without them.

Step2

Choose plants that fit the theme of a room. If your room has contemporary, sleek or minimalist decorating, an Asian plant may complement it nicely. If your room has a Victorian or elaborate look, an elegant flowering plant like a miniature rose would fit. If the room follows a Southwestern theme, use a variety of cacti, yucca and aloe.

Step3

Choose plants with varying height and leaf shape. If you are placing multiple plants in a room, a variety of plants can be placed next to one another if they are different heights and have different features. A flowering plant can be placed among several leafy plants to balance the color.

Step4

Choose plants with colors that accent the room. If the room is dark, choose a leafy plant that contains lighter green areas to lighten up the room, and if the room needs color, choose several flowering plants that flower in a similar color palate (cool, warm or natural).

Step5

Use seasonal plants for a festive touch such as chrysanthemums in fall, poinsettias and evergreen in winter, tulips and lilies in springs, and violets and orchids in the summer to keep your home up-to-date.

Tips & Warnings

Plants can block unpleasant spots, flawed wall space, or a window view that you don't like.
Plants can be stacked on shelves to add more texture and depth, even along with books and decorations.
Plants can round out corners of a room that feel too sharply defined.
Other elements of nature can also add a soothing decorative touch. You can highlight plant displays with surrounding rocks, branches or seashells for a natural variety.