More of us at home have begun to embrace nature in our home décor. Houseplants have always been a common feature of the modern home, but increased interest in natural design ideas could well be linked to a new push for sustainability, in the wake of damning reportage on a growing climate crisis.
A recent report, conducted by fitted furniture specialists Hammonds, indicated that Google searches for ‘biophilic design’ had increased by more than 20% in the previous year. But what is biophilic design, and how could you apply it to your home?
Biophilic Design
Our increasing embracement of natural artefacts and design principles has birthed a new movement in construction, architecture and interior design, coined ‘biophilic design’. Biophilic design encompasses a wide range of techniques and aesthetic philosophies, which have the overarching effect of folding elements from natural environments into our interiors – whether professional or personal spaces.
The point of biophilic design is to subvert existing and traditional notions of what an interior space can represent, by centring materials and design concepts cribbed from natural environments. For new commercial builds and professional office spaces, this can mean architecture that forefronts the bringing-in of natural light, and that incorporates natural shapes and patterns. For the home though, biophilic design can be adopted without major intervention – by using houseplants.
Popular House Plants – and How to Care for Them
Houseplants are something of a mainstay for contemporary interior design, having steadily grown in popularity for their ability to bring air and colour to a space. The same Hammonds report found out which houseplants were the most popular among UK homeowners. Here are some of those popular houseplants, as well as how best to look after them.
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera plants, better known as cheese plants, are a popular addition to homes by virtue of their impressive growth and large leaves. They can be an especially characterful addition to a home, but do benefit from the luxury of space.
Chinese Money Plant
Chinese money plants are the most popular in the UK, according to Hammond’s report, receiving over 79,000 related Google searches monthly. Money plants are both a pretty plant and a good-luck charm for many; they are also easy enough to care for, requiring little more than bright, indirect sunlight and weekly watering.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are a popular gift, and an iconic addition to any home – but they are also notoriously difficult, in part leading to their popularity in search. They receive 48,000 monthly Google queries, around 8,000 of which relate to care. Keep them out of the midday sun, and keep them in a humid room for best results.
Styling with Houseplants
Houseplants are a powerful weapon to wield when styling a room, and different kinds lend themselves to different applications. Monstera can grow to humongous sizes, making them the perfect statement plant for a maximalist living space. Air plants and hanging plants like string-of-hearts can help dress your shelving and bring out your walls, while peace lilies are the perfect windowsill adornment.