Using Plants To Beautify Your Home This Summer

An Easy Way To Beautify Your Home With Small Steps

Utilizing plants is an affordable way to enhance the appearance of your house. They can fit into any size space, whether big or small, adding vitality and freshness to the area.

From hanging pots to mantels or small hanging gardens, there’s no end to the creativity one can apply when it comes to plants.

Here are some inspirations for you: 

Plants On A Shelf

If your empty bookshelves are collecting dust, why not repurpose them as a small indoor garden?

You can incorporate plants into it and organize them according to your space. Make sure to provide enough sunlight, air, and water to the plants. You can also use air plants, which usually do not require much sunlight and daily water to grow.  

Shelves are good if you want to display your plants like a piece of fine art.

Best Plants For Your Book Shelf

Succulents: They are perfect for low-light areas and require minimal watering. 

Pothos: It is a great choice for a variety of light conditions.

Spider plant: Spider plants are great air purifiers and can help improve indoor air quality.

Add Plants In Your Bedroom

Research suggests that plants can help reduce noise levels by absorbing and deflecting sound waves, which means a more peaceful and deep slumber.

Most hypoallergenic varieties may also help filter allergens from your room’s atmosphere. Here are some ways to add plants to your bedroom to benefit both your mind and your body. 

Some Recommendations

• For improved sleep quality, Lavender and Jasmine may promote better sleep through their calming scents.
• Use plant color therapy to influence your mood and energy levels. Sunflowers can add more energy, while Tulips bring more tranquility to a space.
• They also have some feng shui benefits, such as bringing positive energy to a space. Chrysanthemums are believed to bring laughter and joy, while Orchids bring romance.

According to the NASA Clean Air project, indoor plants can function as great air purifiers for small, unventilated spaces.

Choose the Right Plants for Your Bedroom

• Light: Match your plant to your light. Snake plants thrive in low light, spider plants prefer medium light, and African violets need bright, indirect conditions.
• Sensitivity: If you have allergies, avoid plants with strong scents or pollen.
• Plant growth: Consider the plant’s mature size to avoid overcrowding.
• Monitor for pests: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests or diseases.

A DIY Hanging Garden

A DIY Hanging Garden is a great way to add greenery to your bedroom while saving space.  You can buy purpose-made hanging planters or get creative with repurposed items like mason jars, tin cans, or even old colanders.

The key is to ensure they can be securely hung and have proper drainage.  Here’s a basic guide to create one:

Instructions

• Use strong ropes or chains to support your planters. Ropes can give a more natural, bohemian look, while chains offer a modern, industrial feel. 
• Ceiling hooks for safely hanging your garden. Choose hooks rated for more weight than you expect your planters to be. Swivel hooks can allow your plants to rotate for even sun exposure.
• Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Lightweight mixes that retain moisture but don’t become waterlogged are ideal for hanging plants.

Plants Suitable For Hanging Gardens

Choose plants that thrive in changing environments. These are often trailing plants or those that don’t mind having their roots somewhat confined.

• Maidenhair fern
• Pothos
• Spider plant
• Trailing philodendron
• Boston fern

Create a Green Wall

If you have big rooms and wide walls, creating a green wall, also known as a living wall or vertical garden, is an excellent way to maximize plant space in your home while creating a stunning visual feature. 

You can add:

• Succulents
• Ferns (Boston, Bird’s Nest)
• Pothos
• Philodendron
• Air Plants

Here’s a basic guide to creating a green wall:

Materials For Your Green Wall

• Wall-mounted planter systems or pocket planters
• Waterproof backing (if not included in the planter system)
• Plants suitable for vertical gardening
• Potting soil
• Irrigation system (optional but recommended)
• Tools for mounting (drill, level, screws, etc.)

How to Build It?

• Choose your location and measure the space.
• Select and install your planter system.
• Set up irrigation if using.
• Add soil and plants.
• Maintain regularly.

Add Plants In Your Balcony

If you live in an apartment, your balcony is the only area where sunlight reaches its total capacity. Choose plants that can survive the amount of the sun present.

Remove unnecessary furniture to create space for plants. Consider adding shelves or vertical planters to utilize the area.

You can also decorate it with some green walls. 

Consider Edibles

Select plants suited to your balcony’s light conditions. A mix of vegetation and flowering plants can create fantastic live scenery. You can also turn it into your small vegetable garden. Grow fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, or leafy greens.

Check out my post about eco-friendly smart home devices to make your home energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Some Recommendations

• Basil
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chili peppers
• Scallions

Remember, the best choices will depend on the specific conditions of your balcony, such as sunlight, space, and your personal preferences.

Check out this post to learn more about Green homes.