10 unique ways to style houseplants using vintage accessories
The Urban Jungle trend has been sprouting for the past couple of years now, encouraging people to turn their homes into peaceful retreats from the overly digitalised and stressful outside world. But it would be an understatement to say that this rediscovered greenery obsession is merely a trend. Houseplant lovers report their way of life to be therapeutic and helping them bring more mindfulness into their busy schedules. Health benefits of living with plants might be obvious to many, but its effect on our mood and the way we perceive the environment are something green-fingered folks have been enthusiastically preaching on their Instagram accounts and blogs lately. Yes, the Gram has become the go-to place for all houseplant enthusiasts to share daily images of their beautifully styled green babies, so don’t let the staggering numbers of posts tagged with #urbanjungglebloggers or #houseplantclub surprise you.
Being surrounded with plants makes us feel relaxed and more tuned to nature, but also gives us something to nurture and care about. Regardless of their relatively low price tags, when skillfully styled, houseplants become highly coveted decor. No matter if you lean towards the Boho, Scandinavian, Mid-century Modern, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Minimalist or Eclectic style, adding a couple of green roommates to keep you company will do wonders in providing texture and softness to the space.
Here are our tips and tricks on how to style houseplants with vintage accessories.
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Dress them up in eye candy planters
Image source: Herz und Blut
Keep in mind that finding the right planter is just as important as choosing the plant itself. Selecting a perfect match for you green fellow is essential to emphasize its beauty, but won’t be enough to awe unless you consider the aesthetic of the entire room first. Let the interior style be your guide and use the pot as an opportunity to pull the room together by featuring an accent colour or your favourite pattern.
Stina Flower Pot Driftwood Ø13×16 Cm
2. Make use of plant stands to save space
Image source: Kaiku
One of the ever-popular ways to style plants is by using plant stands. These versatile beauties can be very decorative (especially when made of rattan), but also provide flexibility in plant styling if space is at a premium.
Multilevel stands are a perfect choice for adding depth to your plant displays, but to make the most of your minicollection make sure to vary the heights and shapes of the plants.
Vintage Bamboo & Rattan Side Table Or Plant Stand, 1980s
Very Cool Mid Century Vintage Rattan Bamboo 3 Tiered Plant Stand Excellent Condition
Vintage Round Plant Stand Plant Table Planter Scandinavian Design
Medium Sized Mid Century Plant Stands In Oak, Sapele And Walnut
3. Create a perfect plant shelfie
Image credit: @friederikchen
When styling your shelves, start with the largest items such as books and personal trinkets that carry the most visual weight and then usher in the plants to bring the display to life. Mix trailing and upright species to create a dynamic and make sure to balance them properly, so they don’t end up looking disjointed. Don’t be afraid to play with the negative space; just don’t cover every available spot as the display will quickly turn into clutter.
Victorian Oriental Bamboo Bookcase / Display Shelf Intricate Paper Pattern
4. Decorate in vignettes
Image source: Happy Interior Blog
But why stop at shelfies when you can enjoy the vignettes all across your space? These tiny setups create charming focal points and can be used to tell visual stories about your life and adventures. Mix the plants with your travel souvenirs, mismatched details, figurines, favourite books or handmade objects.
Just keep this in mind: varying the materials, shapes and heights of the objects is key to creating the most flattering vignettes.
Stunning Marble Bust Of A Roman Youth
Kähler, Denmark, Large Art Deco Glazed Stoneware Vase In Modern Design
Handpainted Botanical Print, Mid Century Tallboy
Midcentury Sitting Cheetah Made Of Molded Ceramic, Marked X.My
5. Use plants to style the fireplace
Image credit: @_neon_beige_
Sitting at eye level, the fireplace mantle is one of the most convenient focal points a room can have. If you are lucky enough to own one of these elegant period pieces in your living room, use it as a nook for nurturing your plant gang. And when the fireplace is not being used, fill its heart with the lush greenery.
Pair Of Palm Tree Fixtures Handmade In Brass By Maison Jansen
Collection Antique French Provencal Confit Pots
6. Go large
Image credit: Anouk the Kleermaeker
Use large plants and trees to create drama. A properly selected oversized potted plant can sometimes be a more powerful statement piece than any furniture or artwork. Go for the Monstera deliciosa, Fiddle leaf fig, Ficus tree, Birds of paradise or some tall cacti, and watch as the room blooms into a vibrant oasis.
Pair Of Vintage Regency Style Concrete Planters
Aksel Kjersgaard Rosewood Planter
7. Throw a party
Image source: Lobster and Swan
Nothing says urban jungle like a merry group of plant buddies. Go wild with mixing and matching. But don’t forget to always think in uneven numbers and contrast them in terms of colour, shapes and height.
Bonus tip: By keeping plants with similar needs together, you can create an ideal microclimate for their growth and simplify your watering routine.
Josephia Flower Pot Antique Black Ø17×16 Cm
Hettie Flower Pot Silver Peony Ø19×15 Cm
8. Plants in high places
Image source: Jessica Brigham
Place a trailing plant on top of the shelving unit or the wardrobe and instantly create a sense of added space. The greenery will draw the eye upwards and make the room feel taller. And if there is no furniture around, use a hanging planter to establish your floating interior garden.
Mid Century Scandinavian Modern Wall Unit / Shelf System In Teak
Late 19th Century Ormolu Antique Planter In China Style
9. Think outside the box
Image credit: @mosebacke
To put a little spin on your urban jungle game, play around the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom to find out how they sit with the wild jungle spirit. Just be true to your taste and needs and remember – there is no such thing as too many plants!
If it fits, it sits.
3 Tier Bamboo And Cane Plant Stand, 1970s
10. Use plants to make the small space feel large
Image credit: @mila_jestcafe
To open up a small room and give it a visual breather, think vertical. In a cramped space, any arrangement that draws the eye up will be a game changer. Plants attached to the wall, plant hangers, high-placed shelves or simply a tall houseplant – as long as it emphasizes the upright surface, will do!
Upcycled Gold Wall Mounted Hands, Plant Holder, Candle Holder, Wall Art, Eclectic Decor
1930s Art Deco Brass And Wooden Plant Stand Of Piedestal
Now tell us, how many houseplants you currently own? We are curious to know.