Choosing Indoor Plants That Improve a Room

The Dilemma

Indoor plants are one of the simplest ways to improve a room, but choosing the wrong type or placing it incorrectly can make a space feel cluttered or awkward. Many people gravitate toward whatever looks good in the shop, without considering shape, scale or how the plant interacts with light and furniture.

The dilemma is choosing plants that enhance the architecture and atmosphere of the room, not fight it.

The Options

Option 1: Tall Architectural Plants

Examples: fiddle leaf fig, bird of paradise, kentia palm.

Pros:

• adds height

• useful in corners

• softens hard edges

Cons:

• needs good light

• strong visual presence

Option 2: Bushy, Low Plants

Examples: monstera, rubber plant, peace lily.

Pros:

• fills empty areas

• suits living rooms and dining rooms

Cons:

• can sprawl without pruning

Option 3: Trailing Plants

Examples: pothos, ivy, string-of-pearls.

Pros:

• adds softness to shelves

• great for bathrooms and kitchens

Cons:

• requires consistent watering

The Decision Criteria

1. Room height

Tall ceilings benefit from tall plants.
Low ceilings benefit from wide, low plants.

2. Light quality

Bright rooms support more adventurous species.
Shady rooms need shade-tolerant varieties like zz plants or snake plants.

3. Furniture layout

Plants should fill negative space or soften edges.
Avoid blocking circulation routes.

4. Pot tone and material

Use neutral pots in busy rooms.
Use textured or coloured pots in minimal spaces.

5. Maintenance

Choose plants that match your routine.
Low-maintenance plants suit busy households.

The Recommendation

Start with one or two well-chosen plants rather than many small ones.
A tall plant in a room corner plus a trailing plant on a shelf often gives the most balanced result.

Keep plant choices consistent with the room’s style and light.

A Quick Tip

Photograph your room and draw simple plant silhouettes into the corners. This quickly reveals where plants will improve balance.