How to decorate with plants

Plants have amazing health benefits and can transform spaces

Plants can bring a lot of benefits to any area. They purify the air and give us that wonderful feeling of being in a fresh environment. Studies have shown that our concentration increases when we are around them. They also improve our workplace, dampening background noise, and helping us be more efficient. In short, they improve our daily life.

But plants are also a design element that can be considered when designing the interior of a space. They can completely transform a room, giving it a more natural and earthy look. If you want to use plants for your interior decoration, Xènia Bas (@xenia_bas) is a ceramicist and artist who knows everything there is to know about the subject. Here are her tips and tricks:

Evaluate the space

She suggests starting by evaluating the space. Does it have a lot of light? Is it humid or dry? These questions are essential when decorating with plants. Plants, save for succulents, like humidity and need a lot of light.

That doesn't necessarily mean that a dark room can't enjoy their benefits. An excellent option for spaces with little or no light is to opt for preserved plants or moss.

Listen to your plants

Once you have decided the spot for your plant, you need to take it out of the plastic container that usually comes with it and move it to a better pot. Each plant has different needs when it comes to soil, so consider what mix of dirt and other elements is right before doing so.

Plants tend to be dormant in the winter, so it's not the best time to move them from one container to another. Spring, or late summer, are ideal.

Once the plant is in its new container and place, give it a few weeks. Plants, like humans, need a little time to get used to changes in their environment. If, after a couple of days, you start seeing yellow spots on the leaves or other signs of distress, find a different place for it.

The ideal spot

Restaurants and shops: Plants can say a lot about a business. This is especially relevant in restaurants and retail stores, where plants can reinforce brand concepts or generate a certain atmosphere.

They can, for example, give a space a lush and exotic feeling, accentuate specific architectural details, or create a relaxing environment. In these settings, it is important to consider not only the plant but its pot and how it blends with the rest of the decoration.

Bathrooms: Xènia points out that an often overlooked space for plants is the bathroom. In Japanese culture, bathrooms are very important spaces where part of our introspection and daily recovery happens.

In western cultures, they tend to be neglected. They have, however, perfect humidity and lightning conditions for many plants. Vegetation can be used to accentuate certain areas or dress corners that otherwise would be empty.

Home and home office: Plants can bring focus and order to a space. The ideal location tends to be close to a window. Window sills are often great spots because they are frequently bare. Alternatively, you can buy a low shelf right in front of the window to accommodate them.

These areas work great for plant nurseries since the heat and light from the window help shoots and cuttings grow faster.

A divider wall built with plants can be a great addition as well. They can help separate functional areas in a big room without blocking light or dominating a space. Bonus: it will also give you an impressive background for video calls.

If you want to learn more about the possibilities that plants and pots bring to interior decoration, you can do so on Xènia Bas's Domestika course Ceramic Plant Pot Design. She will teach you how to craft the ideal home for your plants using artisanal techniques and modern design.

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