Table of Contents
- Choose the Right Shelves
- Mix and Match Plant Sizes and Shapes
- Consider Color and Texture
- Add Decorative Elements
- Create Visual Balance
Houseplant shelves have become a popular way to display your plant collection in a creative and stylish way. Not only do they provide a practical solution for organizing your plants, but they can also become a focal point of your home decor. How you style your shelves is unique to you and a way to make your space unique to you. In this article, we will discuss the basics of how to style houseplant shelves to create a visually stunning display that you can customize to your personal style.
Choose the Right Shelves
The first step in styling your houseplant shelves is to choose the right shelves. There are a variety of shelving options available, from built-in shelves to standalone bookcases, so it’s important to choose a design that fits your space and style. Consider the size, shape, and color of your shelves, and how they will work with the size and shape of your plants. Will your plants fit in the size your shelves provide? It’s also important to consider the weight capacity of your shelves to ensure they can hold the weight of your plants. Many plants have been in need of rescuing due to tipping or breaking shelves. Anchoring your shelves can add support and stability as well.
Mix and Match Plant Sizes and Shapes
One of the most important elements of styling houseplant shelves is to mix and match the sizes and shapes of your plants. A variety of heights and shapes can create visual interest and balance on your shelves. Group tall plants together and mix them with smaller plants to create a layered effect. Varying the shape of your plants, such as trailing plants or bushy plants, can also create a unique and creative display. You can space your plants for a minimalist look or layer many plants for a full-looking plant wall display.
Consider Color and Texture
Another important factor in styling houseplant shelves is to consider color and texture. Choose plants with leaves of varying shades of green, such as neon green, deep green and variegated leaves can create visual layers very easily. Adding plants with different textures, such as ferns, succulents, and cacti, can also create visual interest. Consider adding plants with blooms or colorful leaves to add a pop of color to your display. Tradescantia and Alocasia are fantastic plants for adding color to your shelves. You can also mix matte, glossy, and velvet foliage for a stunning display. Some displays use the same plant in different shades while others use many kinds of plants to create shapes and texture.
Add Decorative Elements
In addition to plants, adding decorative elements to your houseplant shelves can create a unique and stylish display. Consider adding decorative pots, plant stands, or terrariums to your shelves. You can add artwork or other decorative items to your shelves to create a cohesive look. Utilizing books and little statues are ways to bring in your unique personality. Plant stands or stacked books can help layer plants and other decorative items to add even more visual interest.
Remember to coordinate the colors and textures with your plants as well. Matte books with a glossy or velvet trailing plant for example is a classic look. Dark foliage against white or gold accents is also very stunning. Unique textures or shapes like cacti against solid pots or backdrops create a unique minimalist look as well. It is up to you what style you want where.
Create Visual Balance
Finally, it’s important to create visual balance when styling your houseplant shelves. Use the rule of thirds to create a balanced display, dividing your shelves into three equal parts and placing plants and decorative elements in each section. Utilizing groups in twos or in odd numbers such as threes and fives creates a balanced look, as odd numbers are more visually appealing than even numbers generally.
Create one main focus grouping per shelf that is the immediate thing your eyes go to on that shelf. Then you can stagger it depending on how many shelves you have. For example, if you have 3 shelves divided into three parts. The top can have a focal point on the left, the middle shelf can have it on the right, and the bottom shelf can have it in the middle. This staggering can be done for multiple groups on your shelves as well. Using colors and textures to group them. This helps spread out and balance all the elements you are incorporating such as color, texture, and size.
Styling houseplant shelves is a fun and creative way to display your plant collection. By mixing all the elements, choosing the right shelves, adding decorative elements, and creating visual balance, you can create a visually stunning display that is both beautiful and functional. It can seem like a lot to do for a shelf display. Mixing and matching plant sizes, and shapes, then considering color and texture, but once you get in the habit and create a few displays it’s an easy and unique way to highlight your unique plants and personality.
