8 Unexpected Ways to Decorate with Plants

If you’re reading this story, there’s a good chance you’re a brand new plant parent. Congratulations! After sifting through countless species and asking yourself some serious questions to make sure you’re up for the task, you’ve finally found a plant that you will have to hold, love in sickness and in health, until (plant) death do you part.

The only question that remains is how you’ll use your plant. Sure, you could pot it in any other planter  and call it a day, as you have with the rest of your blooms, but that won’t win you any design kudos. Instead, consider these unique ways to decorate with plants.

And remember — every plant is a different and requires a certain amount of light, which might influence where you put your greens, but we hope these tips will help turn your space into a dreamy, luscious oasis.

“Plants are a great way to bring warmth and life to any space. The key to decorating with plants is that you should never use just one.  Either use them as a balanced pair in corners or entryways or layer multiple plants of various sizes.  Keep the color of the leaves complementary. For example, use light green foliage together for a tropical look or dark greens for a more modern or sophisticated style.” — Lisa Rickert, founder and creative director of Jolie Home

“One thing I’ve been loving when it comes to plants in the kitchen is to think beyond the windowsill herb garden. Not only do edible flowers look so fresh where you’re used to seeing basil and parsley, but growing them means you can also majorly level-up a salad.” — Erica Cerulo, co-founder of Of A Kind and co-author of Work Wife

“Plants are perfect living accessories. They can fill a corner, add life to a room, bring color into a space, and create interest in a vignette. I use plants often on bookcases to add texture, and love to hang plants in corners to add visual interest and draw your eye up.

Moreover, plants can be rather sculptural and be used almost as a piece of art in a room. I love that plants change as well — some change color with the seasons and others can fold in or spill out as they grow.” — Jade Joyner, co-founder and principal designer of Metal + Petal

“For me it’s not about lots of plants and pots, when it comes to adding planters and foliage inside a room, I like to focus on one great tree or Palm, in a fantastic planter/container. It’s all about scale, color, texture and most important, defining an interior space. Trees and or palms bring a softness to interior spaces, which are usually more hard edged and tend to be more ridged.” — Keith Williams, co-owner of  Nievera Williams

“Hang it from the ceiling! Hanging plants add interest and layers to your space. This macrame one from CB2 also adds texture.” — Alessandra Wood, interior design expert and vice president of style at Modsy

“Use plants as a centerpiece on your table or counter. Get a narrow and longer vessel and add three different types of small cacti. This elongated one is perfect for your dining table or even on a windowsill.” — Alessandra Wood

“Bringing nature indoors whenever possible is an inexpensive way to help a space feel warm and cozy. Placing live plants in baskets, planters, decorative pots, and arranging them with various heights brightens up a corner and adds life to a space.” — Amber Dunford, lead stylist at Overstock.com and expert in design psychology

“We recently had to come up with a way to do a plant wall for a big headboard wall of a guest bedroom.  Instead of art or a wall hanging, we wanted to use the plants as art to dress up the wall.” —Mia Jung, director of interiors at Ike Kligerman Barkley

“Bathrooms are naturally humid environments, so as long as there is enough light, they can provide fantastic homes for houseplants. Add a plant to a wall shelf or wide windowsill, or set one atop a garden stool to add refreshing burst of green to your morning routine.” — Donna Garlough, style director at Joss & Main