As November brings shorter days and grayer skies, it’s easy to feel a dip in our energy. We’re spending more time indoors, and we miss the life and color of the outdoors. The solution? Bring the outdoors in.
Interior design with plants—also known as “biophilia”—is more than just a trend. It’s a design strategy that boosts your mood, purifies your air, and adds vibrant, natural texture to your home. Here are five easy ways to use plants to fight the winter blues.
1. The Statement Plant
If you’re new to plants, start with one that makes a big impact. A large “statement” plant can anchor a room, just like a piece of furniture.
- How to Do It: Place a tall plant, like a Fiddle Leaf Fig or a Monstera Deliciosa, in an empty corner of your living room or next to your media console. It instantly adds life, height, and a sculptural, architectural element.
- Winter Tip: Make sure it’s near a window, but not touching the cold glass.
2. The “Shelfie” (Trailing Plants)
One of the most “Instagrammable” ways to use plants is to have them cascade down a shelf. Trailing plants add a sense of graceful, organic movement to a static space.
- How to Do It: Place a Pothos, Philodendron, or String of Pearls on a high shelf, a bookshelf, or the edge of a mantel. Let the vines hang down to create a “living” curtain of green. These are often low-light friendly, making them perfect for winter.
3. The Grouping (Rule of Threes)
A collection of smaller plants often has more impact than several plants scattered randomly.
- How to Do It: On a console table, a dresser, or a wide windowsill, group three to five small plants of varying heights and leaf shapes. Use pots that are in the same color family (e.g., all white, all terracotta, all black) to create a cohesive, curated look.
4. The Kitchen Herb Garden
Bring life and function to the heart of your home. An indoor herb garden not only adds greenery but also provides fresh flavors for your fall and winter cooking.
- How to Do It: Place small pots of rosemary, thyme, mint, and basil on a sunny kitchen windowsill or a small tray on your counter. The act of watering and trimming them can be a simple, mindful mood-booster.
5. The Low-Light Saviors
Worried your home is too dark in the winter? No problem. Some of the most beautiful plants thrive in low-to-medium light.
- How to Do It: Use Snake Plants (which also purify the air at night, making them perfect for bedrooms) or ZZ Plants in hallways, bathrooms, or corners far from a window. Their dark, glossy leaves add a touch of sophisticated, low-maintenance green.
Interior design with plants is a simple, affordable, and powerful way to make your home feel alive, even in the depths of winter. By adding these green roommates, you’re not just decorating—you’re creating a healthier, happier space.
Looking for more ways to incorporate natural elements into your home? The design experts at DIG Interiors specialize in biophilic and natural design. Contact us today.
