We all know that a trip to the countryside means we get to breathe in some of that fresh country air, so what if we could have some of the same benefits of country air at home?
Furnishing each part of your home with favourable indoor plants is quickly becoming an interior trend. Not only do plants look good, but there are certain indoor plants that are said to make you feel happier and healthier because they greatly improve air quality. Studies show that we will feel more relaxed and have more energy by introducing greenery to our indoor spaces, but not only that, our concentration and productivity will improve by up to 15%.
In today’s modern world, furniture and textiles are composed of man-made materials, which produce toxins and pollutants. Plants inside are said to reduce airborne pollutants by 75-90%, therefore improving the quality of the air we breathe every day. They also improve humidity levels and keep temperatures down due to a process known as transpiration. When your room heats up, plants will often release excess water into the air from their leaves. By doing this, plants cool themselves and the surrounding environment.
Indoor plants are not only a way to improve health and assist with reducing cooling costs, but they are also an inexpensive way to style your home. They add beauty, character, texture, colour and dimension to spaces. You can decorate corner shelving with a variety of different-sized pots, fill a window ledge with herbs or succulents, create a plant wall instead of a picture wall or hang cascading plants from the ceiling.
So, what indoor plants should you choose? That all depends on the environment of the room and its usage. In a bedroom, for example, you would want plants that emit oxygen at night and not carbon dioxide. Plants such as orchids, succulents, snake plants and bromeliads are perfect for getting a better sleep. Other plants thrive in warmer, more humid surroundings, so in a bathroom, you would choose something like bamboo, aloe vera, a dragon plant or Boston fern. An ivy plant is also said to keep your bathroom clean and hygienic by removing mould from the surrounding air. Sunrooms are the best place for ferns, palms, succulents and cacti, as these plants are lovers of heat.
There are many factors to consider when choosing what greenery goes where, so it is best to do some research and decide according to room aspect, usage and conditions. But whatever plants you choose, it is clear that you will not only improve your home décor but your overall health and wellbeing too.
If you are thinking of selling or renting and after some tips and tricks on improving the overall look and feel of your home, contact one of our Peter Blackshaw Real Estate team members today.