How I Use Plants to Bring Life Into My Living Room
One of the things I talk about often on the blog is how small elements can completely change how a room feels.
In my recent post about why a living room can sometimes feel flat, I talked about how contrast, texture, and layers help a space feel more balanced. Plants are one of the easiest ways to introduce those layers.
Over time I’ve added plants throughout our living room and they’ve become one of my favorite elements in the space. Greenery softens the room, adds movement, and makes the space feel more lived in.
If you’ve seen the post about the wallpaper in our living room, you already know that the goal in our home is creating a space that feels cozy and collected. Plants help tie everything together.
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Place Plants Near Natural Light
Plants tend to look their best when they’re placed near natural light.
Windows and bright corners allow the leaves to catch the sunlight, which creates beautiful shadows and highlights throughout the day.
In our living room I like placing plants near the windows so the natural light filters through the leaves. It instantly makes the room feel calmer and more relaxed.
Style Plants Alongside Bookshelves and Decor
Another place I like adding plants is around our bookshelves.
Plants help break up the rows of books and soften the lines of the shelving. Even a small plant placed beside stacked books can make the whole shelf feel more relaxed.
Shop similar bookshelves here.
Use Plants to Fill Corners
Corners are another great place to add greenery.
Instead of adding more furniture, a plant can fill a corner while still keeping the space feeling open. This works especially well near cabinets, chairs, or room dividers where the greenery helps soften the surrounding furniture.
Plants also pair naturally with wood, rattan, and woven textures, which is why they fit so well with the materials throughout our living room.
Use Hanging Plants to Add Height
Another way I like to decorate with plants is by hanging them.
A hanging plant draws your eye upward and adds height to the room without taking up floor space. Macrame plant hangers are one of my favorite ways to do this because they add texture while still feeling light and relaxed.
In our living room I hung a pothos in a macrame hanger near the cabinet and wallpapered wall. The trailing vines help connect the plant to the rest of the room and add movement to the space.
Shop similar macrame plant hangers here.
My Favorite Planter in the Living Room
One of my favorite small details in the living room is this planter. Around here we call him Mr. Moustache (said en français) because he has a bowtie which means he’s fancy.
I love pieces like this because they add personality even when the plant itself is simple. A good planter can make a plant feel more like part of the decor rather than just something sitting on a table.
This one sits on a tray on our coffee table and everyone knows not to mess with Mr. Moustache because mommy loves him! I love how the texture and shape add a little character to the space. It’s a small detail, but those are often the things that make a room feel more finished.
Shop this planter here.
Final Thoughts
Plants are one of the simplest ways to make a room feel more inviting.
Over time those small touches of greenery start to add up and help create a space that feels comfortable and lived in. Whether it’s a plant near a window, a trailing vine on a shelf, or a hanging macrame planter, greenery has a way of bringing warmth into a home.
If you see something in this post you like and don’t see a link, check out my Amazon Storefront where you’ll find items featured in my home as well as my home decor picks.
