Houseplants are back as chic decor
Hot interior design trends these days reside under the wing of Mother Nature. Wood, stone, and organic textiles are the backbone of a modern home, but few interiors nowadays can get by as chic without a green touch. After a brief hiatus on interior design scene, indoor plants are back in style: cacti, flowers, and tropical plants add character, freshness, and vibrancy to a home, and they also have a range of health benefits to go with aesthetic value. But the green décor twist doesn’t stop there: botanical prints, graphic art, and textile designs centered on floral and plant details are all pretty much at home in a well-dressed 2016 living area.
Succulents: A shy, cozy home feel
Succulents are the most popular houseplant type nowadays, and they require little care to stay alive and thrive. Small cacti species, aloe vera, hens-and-chicks, jade plant, and succulents with aerial roots help infuse the interiors with a fresh, natural charm. Mini botanical gardens, hanging planters, and terrariums showcasing succulents have become a common sight in both laid-back and high-brow homes, and they’ve even sneaked into home offices to amp comfort and creative flow during work hours and keep the air fresh and crisp.
Monstera: the proud green chieftan
The Monstera plant is trendy, and its huge, ribbed leaves convey an aesthetic statement more powerful than any other houseplant out there. With its unique leaf architecture, monstera will make a head-turning centerpiece for a room structured around soft hues and sleek lines. You can also group several monsteras together to create a live divider in spacious, open-floor living areas.
Sanseveria: A jungle vibe in chic interiors
Sanseveria is a time-honored classic among houseplants which will usher in a lush, exotic décor twist and help purify the air. According to feng shui, Sanseveria has an extremely beneficial effect on small children and energy vibrations indoors, but it should be placed at a spot out of kids’ and pets’ reach since its leaves contain toxic substances which can cause poisoning if swallowed.
Fern: Lush, fresh, and tough fellows
Few plants can match the resilience and gentle aesthetics of fern. A common species in outdoor gardens, fern loves shady spots, but some variants can thrive even in bright sunlight if planted in well-drained, moist, organic soil and watered regularly. Although fern is seldom grown indoors, its fronds are very popular among interior designers: subtle green motifs on crockery, framed paintings displaying the gentle leaves, and fern-inspired accent walls exude a laid-back, dreamy note of a lazy Sunday afternoon in the forest.
Jungle dancing across the room
In addition to living plants, botanical prints and floral motifs are another nature-inspired design that has gained solid momentum among homeowners over the past couple of years. Wallpapers showcasing Monstera, jungle queen, and other exotic plants will blend in seamlessly in a home centered on solid wood elements. Still, wall covers with bold botanical motifs should be used with care to avoid visual noise. For superior aesthetics, intense-hued wallpapers with a natural print should be deployed in accent walls or applied to a single wall in the room to create a focal point.
Organic touches that go both ways
Upholstery fabric and home textiles with tropical and floral prints are another nature-inspired element which has made a major comeback on the 2016 interior design scene. Modern floral prints are very different than back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, though: often painted in vivid hues and stylized for increased interest, modern flowers add a bright twist to a sophisticated home with none of the granny vibes commonly associated with 20th-century blossomy upholstery.
Houseplants are back in trend: charming and healthy, both living greens and botanical prints are taking over modern interiors. If your home is still plant-free, don’t let it stay that way for long.
Author bio:
Zoe Clark is a journalist, freelance stylist and blogger. She is a visual storyteller and aesthetician by heart who often writes about decorating and DIY ideas. She loves sparking creativity in people and giving them ideas for their own spaces.
