The Importance of Greenery in Your Home: Why Every Space Needs a Touch of Nature

The Importance of Greenery in Your Home: Why Every Space Needs a Touch of Nature

If you’ve ever walked into a room and instantly felt calmer, cozier, or more refreshed without being able to put your finger on why, it might’ve been the plants.

Seriously. Greenery isn’t just for boho Pinterest homes or plant mums with 37 fiddle leaf figs. Plants (real or faux, no judgment here) are one of the most powerful, budget-friendly, and stylish ways to breathe life into your space—literally and visually.

As an interior designer, I always recommend incorporating some form of greenery in every room I style. Let’s dive into why it matters so much, how to do it right, and some designer tricks to make greenery work beautifully in your home, no matter your skill level with plants. 🌿

1. Greenery Instantly Softens a Space

You can have the most perfectly styled room, but without a touch of nature, it can feel… flat. Plants bring in an organic softness that balances the harder lines of furniture and adds texture without overwhelming the space.

Pro Tip:

• Pop a trailing plant on an open shelf.

• Place a sculptural plant like a rubber tree or bird of paradise in a corner to soften harsh edges.

• Use smaller plants to break up rigid surfaces like desks or consoles.

🪄 Designer Secret: Greenery is a great tool to fill “awkward” spaces—corners that feel too bare, shelves that need depth, or rooms that feel overly formal. One pot plant = instant warmth.

2. Plants Improve Mood and Air Quality

Let’s talk about function for a sec. Beyond being gorgeous, real plants help purify the air and increase oxygen levels, which is why you feel more relaxed when they’re around.

Studies even show that having indoor plants can lower stress, boost productivity, and improve your sleep. So yes, that bedroom snake plant isn’t just pretty—it’s practical.

Don’t have a green thumb?
That’s totally okay. Faux plants have come a long way and still offer the same visual benefits.

My Room Styling Kits include recommendations for both real and faux plants based on your light levels, lifestyle, and decor style.

3. Greenery Adds Texture, Colour & Visual Balance

Green is the ultimate neutral in nature and in design.
It plays beautifully with almost every palette: it warms up cool whites and greys, adds contrast to warmer neutrals, and acts as a grounding tone for more colourful rooms.

Practical Styling Ideas:

• Group different plants together in varied pots for a layered, curated look.

• Use greenery to break up solid surfaces, like bookshelves, benches, or coffee tables.

• Place a small vase with a fresh cutting in the bathroom or beside your bed for a touch of daily luxury.

🪴 Insider Tip: Try using the “thriller, filler, spiller” rule when styling planters. One tall or sculptural plant (thriller), one lower leafy one (filler), and one that drapes or trails over the edge (spiller).

4. Greenery Creates Movement and Flow

Homes that feel static or overly curated can start to feel “staged.” Plants introduce natural asymmetry and organic flow.

How to use this to your advantage:

• Use trailing plants like pothos or ivy to lead the eye across open shelving.

• Anchor sitting areas with taller indoor trees for height and movement.

• Soften architectural edges with leafy layers.

Designer Trick: Place a plant near a mirror to double its impact and create more perceived depth and light.

5. You Can Use Greenery as a Design Tool

Greenery doesn’t just decorate, it solves design challenges.

Here’s how I use plants as solutions:

• Balance heavy furniture: A tall plant balances the visual weight of a bulky sofa or media unit.

• Break up empty walls: A plant ladder or hanging planter adds vertical interest.

• Zone open spaces: Use planters to subtly separate a dining area from a living space in open-plan rooms.

Need help using greenery to solve space challenges? My Virtual Styling Sessions walk you through what to place where, right down to pot size and finish.

6. The Right Pot Matters Just as Much as the Plant

Don’t just think about the plant, think about what it’s in. The pot, basket, or stand you choose is part of the decor.

Some styling favourites:

• Terracotta for warmth and rustic vibes

• Concrete for modern or minimal interiors

• Woven baskets for coastal or relaxed spaces

• Black ceramic for moody or contemporary rooms

Tip: Match your pot to the tones in your space—timber legs, black accents, white trim, etc. To tie everything together.

🪄 Designer Insight: If your decor feels a bit “off,” it could be that your accessories (like pots or vases) don’t echo your core palette or finishes.

Want pre-selected pots that work with your home style? My Curated Decor Bundles pair plant suggestions with pots and accessories that actually fit your aesthetic.

7. Greenery Makes a Statement Without Stealing the Show

If you want something that feels stylish but not overdone, greenery is the way to go. It adds drama without clutter. Especially in rooms that don’t need another decorative object, plants can fill space beautifully.

Go bold with:

• A monstera or fiddle leaf fig in an oversized pot.

• A corner palm near large windows.

• A cascading hanging plant in a bathroom or kitchen window.

🪴 Designer Trick: Place large plants slightly off-centre to add a relaxed, editorial feel.

Final Thoughts: Your Home Needs a Little Green

Greenery isn’t just for “plant people.” It’s one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make a space feel alive, intentional, and soothing. Whether you prefer a jungle feel or just a few well-placed stems, plants are the finishing touch that makes all the difference.

From styling awkward corners and adding colour, to solving design challenges and improving your wellbeing, greenery is your low-effort, high-impact design ally.

And if you’re not sure where to start? I’ve got you. Whether you want a styling session, a full room plan, or a curated shopping list (pots included), I’ll help you bring the outside in beautifully, effortlessly, and with your personal style at the heart of it all.

Let’s find your perfect plant vibe. 🌿