Green Up Your Home Office: Five Tips for Adding Plants to Your Décor
Looking to spruce up your home office with houseplants but unsure where to start? Fear not, you don’t need to be a plant expert to incorporate some greenery into your workspace and make it feel more inviting.
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Adding houseplants and flowers to a home office can create a cosy atmosphere and improve air quality.
Studies have shown that the presence of greenery and flowers can also boost mood and productivity, making it an ideal addition to a workspace.
But not everyone has a green thumb.
Luckily, there are plenty of easy solutions to achieve the same effect. You don’t necessarily have to search for exotic and finicky plants that require special attention.
Opt for the most unpretentious options and create a lively look for your home office with a smart selection of pots and thoughtful placement of houseplants.
Here are five simple tips to help you green up your workspace.
Get succulents or artificial plants
If you work from home and don’t have the time or energy to take proper care of houseplants, succulents, and artificial plants can be a lifesaver.
With their minimal care needs, succulents are a great option for people with hectic lifestyles.
Succulents typically require less frequent watering than other houseplants, and they can often tolerate a wide range of temperatures and lighting conditions.
They also tend to grow more slowly than other plants, so they may not need to be repotted or pruned as frequently.
If you’re not inclined towards the delicate balance of watering and sunlight that live plants require, artificial plants can be an effortless way to add a touch of greenery to your workspace.
They are typically made from materials such as plastic, silk, or polyester and are designed to look like real plants without the need for upkeep.
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Think natural and minimal while picking pots
Choosing the right pot for your home office plants greatly impacts the overall look and feel of your workspace.
While ceramic pots may be a bit heavier to move around, they often add a touch of sophistication that plastic pots just can’t match.
When selecting pots, it’s rewarding to stick with solid colours in natural hues such as greens, yellows, or earth tones (browns, terracotta, or rusty red).
Why, you ask?
Because your flower pot is just as much a decorative element as the plant itself, and you don’t want to go overboard with too many ornate details in a space.
This is especially true if you have a small home office.
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Experiment with your palettes (but don’t go colour crazy)
If you’re looking to create a stylish and harmonious composition of different indoor plant pots, make sure you give good thought to their colours and textures.
When selecting pots, it’s vital to keep your overall colour scheme and the surrounding space of the home office in mind.
To make things simpler, choose two colours, a primary one and an accent one.
For instance, if you go with off-white as the main colour for your houseplant pots, a pair of charcoal or dark earthy green pots will add a harmonious twist.
Ensure that the accent hue is a contrasting shade that complements the primary colour. This creates a balanced look that doesn’t feel too overwhelming.
As a rule of thumb, the accent colour should make up no more than one-third of the total array of pots so it stands out without stealing the show.
And don’t forget about texture.
Mixing in a few textured pots can add some much-needed variety to a plain composition.
It’s all about finding the right balance between colour and texture to create a cohesive look that, combined with the plants themselves, brings your workspace to that urban jungle level.
But remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing the perfect colour scheme for your plant pots.
Feel free to experiment and find what you personally enjoy and are happy with.
Make the most of your home office’s features
With houseplants as part of your home office décor, you have the freedom to experiment with various placement options, each offering its unique benefits.
If your workspace has a window, consider using the classic option of a windowsill to showcase your plants.
Natural light in your home office not only brightens up the space but also adds a refreshing outdoor vibe, making the windowsill a great option for displaying plants.
Not all plants are suitable for windowsill placement, especially if the window receives intense, direct sunlight that could scorch sensitive plants. Photos by Kelly Sikkema and Cassidy Phillips
However, if your workspace is dimly lit most of the time, placing plants on the windowsill might not be the best option.
It could hinder their growth by blocking the little sunlight available, and you might struggle to work productively as well.
So, ensure that both you and your greenery receive enough light to thrive.
If you have some free space on your walls, consider floating shelves.
They offer a stylish way to display your plant collection while also providing valuable storage space for books, office supplies, and other items.
Freestanding bookcases and ladder shelving units are also popular options for placing plants.
They are spacious and easy to move around, giving the workspace a lighter and more relaxed feel.
You can create visually interesting displays by using the multiple tiers or rungs of these shelves to place plants at different heights.
To keep your plants healthy and happy, make sure to provide sufficient lighting using LED grow lights and UV lamps.
Nicholas, a software developer and UI/UX designer from Canada, made a gigantic DIY pegboard with shelves to showcase his impressive collection of indoor plants. Join the tour of his botanical home workspace
Get creative with your home office greenery
When it comes to incorporating plants into your home office décor, there’s no need to play it too safe.
There are plenty of creative ways to display your plant collection that can make your workspace feel truly personal.
Consider the idea of hanging plants.
One option is to use ceiling hooks or mounted wall brackets to hang pots or coconut baskets. This not only provides a unique way to showcase your plants but also frees up valuable desk space.
Another alternative is using macrame plant hangers, which can add a touch of bohemian style to your home office.
Photos by Mutzii, Jeff Sheldon (2 and 5), Paul Hanaoka, and feey
You could also consider installing a curtain rod across the window and hang pots from there. This would allow the plants to receive plenty of natural light.
Just be sure to securely attach any hanging plant holders to the wall or ceiling to avoid accidents, and ensure they’re sturdy enough to support the weight of your plants, particularly when they are watered.
If you’re working with a compact home office, don’t worry — a lack of space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on greenery.
There are many creative solutions available that allow you to add a touch of nature without cluttering your work area.
For instance, consider adding a bonsai tree to your workspace. Bonsai trees are small, require minimal upkeep, and can add a calming, Zen-like atmosphere to your office.
They’re a great conversation starter, too.
Alternatively, you could create your own DIY terrariums. Terrariums are like miniature, self-sustaining ecosystems housed in glass containers.
They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can choose one that fits perfectly on your desk or shelf. Plus, designing and building your own terrarium can be a fun and rewarding project, giving you a chance to express your creativity.
Another creative option is a micro-garden. Using wall-mounted glass planters, you can grow a variety of small plants, herbs, or succulents vertically. Not only do these micro-gardens save valuable floor space, but they also add a unique, visually engaging element to your office.
It's like having a living work of art on your wall.
These options are both fun and creative, allowing you to create stunning visual displays while taking up minimal floor space. They’re perfect for injecting a bit of life and colour into even the smallest of home offices.
Just remember, different plants have different care requirements, so choose ones that suit your office environment and lifestyle.
Incorporating a touch of nature into your workspace is a proven method for enhancing its aesthetics and boosting your emotional wellbeing.
This simple change can make your home office feel cosier and more productive.
It introduces an outdoor vibe, transforming your indoor space to feel a bit more like a retreat away from home.
Editorial Team
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