Welcome guest writer, Debra Lewis.
House plants and flowers are beautiful additions to any home, but sometimes the tried-and-true planters and pots get boring. If you’re looking for creative ways to decorate your house with plants, these ideas will spark your imagination and get your creative juices flowing.
Create a DIY Terrarium
Image via Flickr by avrene
You can make a terrarium out of nearly any glass or plastic container, from fish bowls to apothecary jars. Vases, mason jars, and bowls also work well. Plastic containers work well for hanging terrariums while glass versions are perfect for tabletop displays.
Just fill your container with pebbles, activated charcoal, potting soil, and small plants. Succulents perform best in terrariums because they require little moisture to survive, but you can experiment with other varieties too. Add small figurines or a layer of moss to give your creation, even more, texture and visual interest.
Build a Bar Cart
You can use a rolling bar cart with materials from Home Depot to display more than spirits and stemware. Fill the upper and lower shelves with plants or use the lower tiers to store gardening supplies, excess pots, and other items you might need. The castors on the cart will allow you to move it to different areas in the home without straining your back.
The best thing about a bar cart is its versatility. You can use it to display fresh-cut flowers or elegant vines, depending on your tastes. It also adds texture to the room, and the bare wood and clean lines will complement nearly any design aesthetic.
Make a Statement
A large pot containing a small tree or bush creates a compelling focal point in your home. Not only does the plant command attention, but the it makes a design statement. Choose a bright color that complements the room’s design scheme but offers enough contrast to stand out.
Alternatively, create a large grouping of plants on a credenza or window ledge. Choose plants of different heights and fullness levels to create visual interest and add variety, but use identical or similar pots to unite the collection. Consider throwing in a few flowering plants with green-only options.
Make DIY Planters
You can turn just about any container into a planter, whether it’s a coffee mug with a chipped handle or a vintage mason jar you found at an estate sale. Simply drill a hole in the bottom of the container for drainage and pot the plant just as you would with a traditional container.
You’ll need a diamond- or carbide-tipped drill bit to drill a hole in a glass container. Otherwise, you’ll just need a set of clamps to hold the container still and a few minutes of spare time. If you’ve chosen a plain container, dress it up with decoupage, paint, or ribbons and twine.
Plants don’t have to be boring or dull, especially if you’re willing to use a little DIY creativity for the task. Try some of the above strategies for using plants to make your home more beautiful and green.
