BRINGING NATURE HOME: 3 EASY WAYS FOR NON PLANT PARENTS

By Corrie Forcet, Realtor® | The Forcet Group | KW Suburban Tampa

Alright, we get it, houseplants are trendy. But what if being a "plant parent" wasn't a part of your 10-year plan? The Instagram vs. Reality of plant care is real, and we all just don't have a green thumb. So how can you bring nature inside, and have the relaxing, airy vibes of a planty home . . . without the aphids & fungus gnats? Don't worry - we hear you. Check out some of our tips:

The Faux/Real Hybrid

Nothing says "nature" like a home with green. We get it. But green comes in LOTS of forms. Try sprinkling some faux green alongside some low-maintenance houseplants, and you will leave your guests wondering how you manage to keep up with all of your luscious and vibrant plant babies.

Some popular but easy-care plants include pothos, ferns, ZZ, and spider plants. Your home’s interior decor should determine the type of plant you get if trying to pull the room together. For example, minimalist designs, such as contemporary, may benefit from a plant with long, slender leaves and accent striping, like the low-maintenance snake plant. Whereas a more natural, bohemian, or cottage core design style would benefit from a leafy trailing plant like the philodendron.

Faux plants can get tricky. Some look artificial at first glance! However, Amazon, World Market, IKEA, and Pottery Barn, to name a few, are great sources to find low-budget faux greenery that will keep even your best botanical buddies guessing.

Natural Materials & Textures

Natural texture is easier to incorporate than many think. By the nature of most natural materials, you automatically get the sense and feel of a more grounded atmosphere. Those that come in earth tones such as browns, beiges, greens, and other neutral colors can also create beautiful accents without overtaking the rest of the design.

A woven jute rug under a minimalist coffee table or soft accent pillows made of blended natural fibers adorning the sofa are great ways to start bringing natural texture into your home.

And do not second guess the effect of natural artwork. Woven baskets along the stairwell, painted succulents in a whitewashed frame hung in the kitchen, or a DIY cane door upgrade to your entertainment center. It will speak nature without demanding a consistent watering schedule.

Natural Light

Natural lighting is another exceptional element of design that can bring your home decor to a whole new level. Incorporating natural lighting via windows, skylights, or even reflections off mirrors adorning another area of your home with natural lighting can give the room depth.

Early in the morning, you may witness a bright, vibrant air about your home, whereas later in the evening, while you’re trying to wind down, may bring a soft and subtle ambiance that helps relax your mind. And as the sun moves throughout the day, the shadows will help enrich the room by bringing out more of your color palette and accenting different facets of your home decor.

Regardless of your design prowess, your relationship to the outdoors or the greenness of your thumb, these three elements are sure to help bring a natural earth tone to your home with very little effort on your part.