Bringing The Outside In

The appetite for indoor plants has exploded in recent years. There are entire Instagram accounts dedicated to styling indoor plants, a proliferation small businesses offering plant delivery services and even a plant species apps which immediately differentiates a monsteria from a ficus lyrata. It seems every home-maker worth their weight is clamouring to create their own urban jungle.

As Oliver Sizeland, the director of Sydney landscaping business Growing Rooms explains, indoor plants bring a harmonious undercurrent to your home, as well as acting as a counterbalance to the stresses of modern life.

“Our lives have become busier over the last few years with the boom of social media, smart phones and smart watches. We are constantly exposed to it, getting bombarded with information.”

“The only true escape from this is nature. By bringing nature into your home you can completely change the dynamics of the property and enhance your way of life. More plants means more oxygen, cleaner air and they are genuinely just nice to be around.”

One of the key styling trends which can really bring your landscaping together is to create a seamless transition from indoor to outdoor. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to invest tens of thousands of dollars in bi-fold doors, patios or glass ceilings; there are simple tricks which can help create a harmonious and continuous flow between the internal and external infrastructure of your home.

According to Oliver, “We use large feature pots and large plants to create a link back to the plants in the garden. Styling your outdoor area to echo the inside of your property works really well. Introduce some candles and perhaps some cut flowers in a vase. Use scatter cushions and a throw or two from inside to make the outdoor area feel more indulgent.”

“Try to create repetition with your plant and pot selection. By using one or two of the same plants or pots both inside and out, you can really emphasise the link between the two. This works extremely well next to large doors or windows to blur the divide between inside and out.”

Mark Curtis, Senior Design Consultant at Secret Gardens said it’s all about using the space you have efficiently and complementing your choice of plants with your décor.

“Pick your spot, it doesn’t have to be sunny, it just needs the right space and scale. A kitchen window is perfect for growing some herbs. Make sure the ergonomics are right, often these areas are in corners. Get the styling right, a huge range of planters are available to complement décor. Find a planter range that doesn’t require a saucer for a more contemporary look,” Mark explained.

Finally, if you have the space, why not go all out and opt for a green wall? As Oliver explained, “The use of green-walls inside helps lower the ambient temperature of the room, you can really feel it as you approach the green-wall. By creating a greener space inside you can increase air quality and create a stress relieving environment.”

*This article originally appeared in The Listing Magazine.