Is your room feeling blah? Add life with plants

Lisa Schryver, Brand Publishing Writer

You have beautiful furniture, tasteful art – even a great rug, but it still feels like something’s missing. Consider the humble houseplant to complete a room.

Many homeowners either aren’t good with plants or think they’re too much work to have around, but that’s true only if you don’t do your research first. There are many options, both live and artificial, to give a room the pop of greenery it’s missing.

Edith Orlansky, a designer with Baer’s Furniture, advises homeowners to start by thinking about the amount of interior space available, as well as the amount of natural light.

“It all depends on the spaces that you have, what kind of furniture you have and what do you have to complement,” Orlansky explained. “When you have furniture at an angle in a corner, it’s nice to have something behind it such as a tall plant.”

Of course, how much natural light your home receives is the most important factor. If sunshine is not abundant, consider using artificial plants.

A far cry from the cheesy plastic abominations that littered offices in the ’80s, modern manufacturing technologies have been applied today’s artificial plants. Plants that look and even feel real will have you reaching for a watering can, but these design elements can never dry out.

Several companies make silk or “real-feel” plants that come pre-potted, look lush and will add design accents to your home. For a contemporary look, use tropical-style facsimiles such as corn stalk, any kind of palm or a tall, thin ficus.

In situations where your room design has a hole to fill but there is no option for natural light, the artificial plant works perfectly. Like real plants, high-quality artificial plants are never exactly alike, so feel free to buy several to work in a space.

It’s possible to have a mix of natural and artificial plants even in the same room. Place natural plants suited for Florida’s temperate climate near windows and natural lighting to ensure they remain healthy. If you have a dark corner but want to fill it out with some foliage, consider high-quality artificial plants. This way, you can couple the natural benefits of live plants in the house with a fully realized design.

Also, since artificial plants do not require any lighting or climate concerns, you can have beautiful, non-native-look plants in a room that would otherwise not support them.

Take into account if the plant will be placed near heating or air conditioning vents, as the air temperature will affect how well the plant grows. Additionally, both Orlansky warned homeowners to beware of pests before bringing your plants home from the store. If you are concerned about insects or allergens in the home, artificial plants may be the perfect solution.

If you travel for work or pleasure frequently, artificial plants may be the best solution. With no need to water or move when lighting conditions change, you’ll never come home to a dried out brown husk after a long weekend or an out-of-town business meeting.

If you are looking for high-quality artificial plants in design-minded pottery, check out any Baer’s location. Baer’s designers are trained to help you fully outfit your living space with accessories that will complete any look.