How to Create an Indoor Oasis
If you have little to no outdoor space in your home, it’s time to start thinking about how to bring the outdoors in. House plants have become all the rage recently, so we thought it was the perfect time to look at how you can create your own indoor oasis.
Why Create an Indoor Oasis?
Extending nature indoors is both aesthetically pleasing and good for your health. According to NASA, houseplants help create healthy environments by purifying the air.
Working in the presence of greenery improves concentration, social interaction, productivity and memory. The University of Michigan found that memory retention can increase by 20 percent, simply by working in a plant-filled environment.
We are all becoming increasingly aware of our wellness, and the effects that stress has on our bodies. Surrounding yourself with nature is proven to reduce stress, boost your mood and make you generally happier!
Indoor Greenhouse
If it’s your dream to own a conservatory one day, but you don’t have the space just yet, then this theme could be the one for you.
Pick a room with lots of natural sunlight, as most plants will thrive better in natural light over artificial. Take up those carpets and get to know your wooden floors – they’ll mean that any mess you create while potting plants will be easy to clean up.
Go for a mixture of different plants – herbs, succulents and cacti to start with if you’re not the most confident of gardeners. Palms and trailing plants can add to the variety and depth of your oasis too.
Maximalism
Starting with a dark base – dark walls, floors and ceilings – and adding layer upon layer upon layer is a particular style of maximalism that is really lifted by greenery, and it can definitely feel like an indoor oasis of a slightly different kind.
Use different hues, furniture from different eras, combine textures, patterns and embellishments, and add in your favourite plants too. From giant cacti to make a statement to lots of cacti or ferns, there’s no such thing as too much!
Lush and Green
Living walls are a key trend loved by green-fingered urbanites as they provide a perfect solution for those with little or no outdoor space – if you can’t grow out, grow up!
Living walls are a great way of bringing the outdoors in, whilst also providing a contemporary focal point to your home. They can be created on all scales, whether that’s a jaw-dropping full wall piece or a living picture frame hung on a wall. Creating a living wall is achievable regardless of your gardening experience with stackable planters that can be tailored to suit your chosen design. For the novices among you, the same aesthetic can be achieved by using artificial plants and grasses.
Peaceful Japanese Garden
Experiment with the Japanese trend of ‘wabi-sabi’ by embracing the natural imperfections of your green space. The balance of nature and nurture is at the heart of this theme, recreate through overgrown perennials, weathered pots and moss-covered stones. This theme is perfect for the gardening beginner wishing to inject some zen into their life.
Fake it ‘til you Make it
Not sure you can handle real plants but still want the look? That’s where fake plants and grass comes in! Artificial plants have come a long way, and they can look just like the real thing. Whatever your style, there’s an artificial plant to help you achieve your look.
From a grass wall to a desert style cactus, artificial plants can recreate that oasis feel without the upkeep of figuring out how each plant likes to be looked after, buying all the stuff to look after them properly, and then remembering to actually get it done as well!
Which style would you choose for your home?
