How to Arrange Plants in a Living Room: Expert Advice

When purchasing plants to decorate a living room there are certain factors to consider, such as:

• The number of plants you need

• Leaf shapes and plant colors

• Pot size and designs

• The amount of care each plant needs

“There are many ways to incorporate plants into your living room decor, whether it's serving as a living piece of art or bringing the lush feel of the outdoors in,” says Bloomscape's Gardening Expert, Lindsay Pangborn.

This in-depth guide will walk you through all your need to know about arranging plants to beautifully decorate and get the most out of your living space.

How to Arrange Plants in Your Room: The Details

Proper planning is important when deciding how to arrange plants in your home. You should play around with different-sized plants and varying heights. Texture and color are also important factors to consider when you arrange indoor plants.

Lindsay Pangborn notes that living spaces often contain areas that might go unnoticed and plants can add visual interest to those nooks. "By layering plants with different colors or sizes, you can add texture, color, and depth to the space,” Lindsay recommends.

Consider the amount of light, water, and humidity your plants will need to thrive, then what your space can provide, and narrow down plant placement accordingly.

Erin Marino from The Sill highlights that your plant's needs are an important factor to remember: “As the saying goes, 'form follows function'. Consider the amount of light, water, and humidity your plants will need to thrive, then what your space can provide, and narrow down plant placement accordingly.”

Consider the available light

The amount of natural light that your different plants need daily will determine where you place each one in the home. Conduct a shadow test or buy extra lights to ensure your chose plants will thrive in your chosen spots.

“First evaluate what light is available in the spots you have in mind. Each plant has its own set of light requirements, and choosing one matched to the light in your space makes the difference between a thriving and a declining plant,” advises Lindsay.

For spots with bright light

When deciding on what type of natural or artificial light your indoor plants require, you need to take consider these factors: quality, duration, and intensity. All these elements determine how well the plants will fare in your home.

According to Lindsay, providing your houseplants with bright and indirect light (depending on their specific needs) is key, ideally from an eastern-facing window.

For spots with low light

Plants that need low light have a bigger photosynthetic unit size than plants that require bright light.

Lindsay suggests plants such as some of the best plants for low-light spaces include the ZZ plant, dieffenbachia, sansevieria, and dracaena. “But keep in mind, that while these plants will survive in low light, they won’t thrive,” she adds.

By Plant Size

Larger potted plants are usually hardier than smaller ones and can make an incredible focal point. They are also less likely to die due to root rot and they can store food in trying times. Smaller potted plants are more compact and instantly add an air of tranquility to any space.

Erin Marino feels that you can either choose large statement plants or opt for a minimalistic approach by choosing slightly smaller plants: “Play with shapes, sizes, and textures to bring your space to life. We like to layer different plant shapes and sizes to create thoughtful vignettes that draw the eye around the living space,” she said.

Large plants

Larger statement plants are trending on social media. Statement plants grab your attention immediately as you enter a room.

“This year, we saw a trend among consumers opting for plants as an artful, statement-making décor piece versus groupings of smaller plants," explains Lindsay. "For those looking to add bold décor, large potted plants are a great option for making an immediate impact on a room.”

This year, we saw a trend among consumers opting for plants as an artful, statement-making décor piece versus groupings of smaller plants.

Small plants

If you decide to use small potted plants to decorate a room, opt for more than one and cluster them in strategic spots to create a welcoming environment.

“From a design perspective, living rooms often contain spaces that might not normally be noticed. By layering smaller plants with different colors or sizes, you can add texture, color, and depth to any living room décor,” advises Lindsay.

Visual weight

The visual weight of a plant is the degree of impact the shrub or flower has in comparison to its environment. Brightly colored plants bunched together will have a higher visual weight than a single succulent used to decorate a coffee table.

You should aim to set up your arrangement around the volume of your plants to break up your living areas.

By plant color

Good complimentary pairing colors are violet and yellow, orange and blue, and red and green. Don't forget to consider the rule of three when choosing your colorful plants. Remember to always decorate your home in clusters of three plants.

Erin suggests that your plant colors should dictate what other colors you opt for in your space: "For instance, if you chose a planter in an accent color like blush pink, you could bring in pieces in deeper pink shades, emphasize lavender or peach, or mix in mint or sea green."

Do you enjoy monochromatic, analogous, or a more complementary palette type? Or are you a complete newbie when it comes to this? Why not use a color wheel for some inspo?

Whatever the outcome may be, Erin concludes: "Whether your plants blend seamlessly with your palette or stand out as vibrant pops of color, the goal is to make them feel a part of your space”.

Plant Pots

Choosing the correct sized pot for your plant is essential to its survival. Employ the rule of thirds when positioning your indoor plants within decorative pots. Try to use good quality soil, don't overwater your plants, and keep them away from pesky animals. Large plant pots are usually placed on the floor and help to reinvigorate unused nooks in your home.

Plant location

Plants don't require direct sunlight 24 hours a day. Over-exposure to the elements can lead to the plant becoming damaged. Try to place your plants at either the south, east, or west-facing windows of your home. Taller plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig are usually displayed on the ground level while small potted plants look great on mantlepieces.

On a shelf

Placing plants on a shelf helps to maximize your space and aims to create a more welcoming environment.

Putting plants on shelves also helps to create a visually appealing center point, adding to the design aesthetic. You should also remember to place trailing plants or a spider plant at the top of your shelf to give them enough room to grow.

"For those living with children or pets, make sure you’re aware of the plant’s toxic qualities. Certain plants may be toxic if ingested, but one way to get around this is by placing them out of reach with a plant stand or hanger,” Lindsay adds.

By the window

Plants that benefit from bright light will do well when placed at windows or on window sills. You need to ensure the light intensity changes throughout the day. Plants need close to 4 to 6 hours of sunlight to grow.

Adding a pot plant to a window also helps to create an attractive outside view for passers-by. Adding different-sized and textured pots to the mix will only benefit your green oasis.

On a low bench or table

When you place plants on low tables and benches it helps to lighten and brighten a space. Placing them at a low point helps to balance the room; beautify dead corners in the home and provide shade in various parts of the house.

You can also use different-sized stands to showcase your plants. This will enable you to create statement pieces in different areas of the home. The use of benches, tables, and stands further assists in decluttering spaces in your home.

Mantelpiece

So, you have decided to decorate your mantelpieces with a few plants. Firstly, you need to gauge the size of your mantelpiece to decide which plants are best to use. Setting your leafy plants on a mantelpiece enables you to spruce up your space from a higher vantage point.

Placing plants high up transforms them into beautiful centerpieces. Plants that are great for displaying on mantelpieces are Muehlenbeckia, Ferns, Areca Palm, Pothos, Christmas cacti, or a trailing plant that will drape over the edge of the mantelpiece.

FAQs

How many plants are ideal?

There's no right or wrong anser here. Some interior designers suggest that you place your plants in odd numbers across a room. While others say you can keep up to 8 plants at a time in your living room. But it really is up to you. Sometimes just one or two plants can make all the difference.

If you're looking to group plants, try to arrange them in groups that all require the same care — this makes it easier to remember how to care for each of them. When plants are close (but not touching) they can also provide each other moisture, which plants love.

How can I water my indoor plants without making a mess?

The best time to water a plant is in the morning. It enables the leaves to gradually lose their moisture as the day progresses.

You can purchase non-draining pots or you can water your plants over a sink or bathtub to prevent any spillages. You can also get a self-watering pot, watering spike, or with some plants you can even use ice cubes to hydrate them.

What indoor plants look good together?

When various plants are paired together beautifully they can make visual masterpieces. Peace lily, Peacock Plant and Marble Pothos look incredible together and never go unnoticed in a home. Ferns, Inch Plants, Ivy, spider plants, and Coleus also make a stunning display in any home.

A fun fact about house plants is that they should not touch each other. Touching inhibits growth on a genetic level, and it also opens the door for insects to infest the growing plant.

You're all set

Arranging plants in your home is a hugely exciting DIY project to undertake. There are many aspects to take into account before getting started; however, the benefits of having aesthetically pleasing plants in a home are phenomenal.

There are many different types of plants you can buy to spruce up your home. Are you a fan of hanging plants or do you prefer a snake plant to liven up your living spaces?

Color, texture, positioning, and pot sizes are key elements to consider when decorating your home.

Studies have shown that not only are plants of visual interest they also improve mental well-being and productivity, enable therapeutic healing, enhance air quality, decrease stress, and leave the plant owner with a sense of achievement.