20+ Ways To Freshen Up Your Home With Plants

By Jacklyn Gilmor On March 9th, 2021

The end of winter is in sight and we’re already dreaming of warmer days and tropical vacations.

What better way to bring the outdoors in than with a plethora of plants? From sweet succulents on floating shelves to ceiling-high bananas trees in the living room, the options are endless. Not only is foliage a budget-friendly design move, it’s also rejuvenating and brings life to any room. (We’re not judging if they’re real or faux…) Scroll down for 20+ fresh ways to use greenery in your home!

A large fiddle-leaf fig tree makes a fresh statement in this airy Edwardian home‘s white and blonde wood living room, where designer Shauna Walton (left) sits with homeowner Sonya Weisberg.

House & Home October 2020

The all-white kitchen feels summery with fresh-cut stems and potted greenery.

House & Home October 2020

In event planner Catriona Smart’s glam Toronto home, sky-high Cavendish banana trees frame a dramatic granite fireplace.

House & Home, December 2017

Playing with height is key when decorating open shelves. Here, playful pots add personality in design blogger Medina Grillo’s entryway.

A row of greenery on top of the bookshelf adds a welcome pop of color (along with the citrine couch) in Medina’s boho living room.

A ladder-style desk offers plenty of room for potted plants and creates a chic office space in Wendy Lau’s DIY-filled home.

In the entryway, a diverse array of vegetation — from flowers to succulents — sets the tone for the rest of the verdant home.

Toronto-based plant guru Dorrington Reid transformed his compact condo into a lush oasis with 150 houseplants. Floating shelves from Ikea give the foliage the attention they deserve.

Dorrington recommends buying Sansevieria (also known as snake plants) and Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plants) for their aesthetic and low-maintenance care (perfect for beginners!).

Designer Michelle Martel loves ZZ and snake plants since they do well in low light. The shower is a perfect place to add some greenery and bring home a spa vibe. Plus, you can water your plants while you shower!

A basket of freshly-picked wildflowers is a sweet touch in this Scandi-style home‘s minimalist mudroom. Switch it up depending on the season: a branch of bright maple leaves is perfect for autumn, while a bundle of daisies and forget-me-nots celebrates summertime.

House & Home July 2015

Leaves cascading from the window bring this Georgian farmhouse to life. Framed grass art by Norihiko Terayama is a fresh twist on decorating with foliage.

House & Home October 2019

Flora on the windowsill echoes the abundant nature just outside of this bright kitchen.

House & Home March 2020

The shower feels like a tropical oasis in this bohemian home filled with fabulous DIY projects. More is more: hang plants from the ceiling and around the shower head, and place them on a bench and on the floor.

Design guru Justina Blakeney brings a global feeling to her spaces with natural materials and pops of color. From life-sized potted plants to vases of flowers on the coffee table, the mix-and-match approach makes this living room feel like a lush escape.

In designer Alison Milne’s cozy Toronto home, the principal bathroom is a space for rejuvenation. A large potted plant beside the tub brings a relaxed, Japandi feel to the space.

House & Home December 2020

This 135-year-old clapboard house got a much-needed facelift from designer Arren Williams with a variety of tropical plants that bring the outdoors in.

House & Home March 2020

Gardening on the patio and tending to her indoor plants helps Alison Mazurek of 600sqft.com make the most of her one-bedroom apartment. Foliage on top of the cabinetry and Murphy bed draws the eye up and makes the kitchen feel more spacious.

House & Home September 2020

A single pot is nestled beside the tub for a soothing touch of greenery in this minimalist principal bathroom.

House & Home Kitchens + Baths 2020

Splashes of mossy green and fresh fauna create a restful retreat in designer Carmeon Hamilton’s home. She added French doors to bring in more natural light.