Indoor Plant Styling Like a Designer

ringing plants indoors is more than a design choice — it’s a way to add life, calm and connection to nature. But how do you go beyond a few token fiddle-leaf figs and make greenery feel part of your home’s architecture? Here’s how to style indoor plants like a designer, no green thumb required.

Choose the right plants for your light

Start by understanding the light in each space.

• Bright, direct light: succulents, rubber plants, fiddle-leaf figs.
• Medium light: pothos, monstera, peace lily.
• Low light: snake plant, ZZ plant, ferns.

Observe how sunlight moves through your home during the day. Group plants that share similar light and watering needs — this makes care easier and your styling more cohesive.

Play with scale and height

Interior stylists treat plants as living sculpture. Mix tall floor plants with mid-height planters and trailing varieties to create depth.

• Use pedestal stands or stacked books to add vertical rhythm.
• Contrast large statement plants (like a bird of paradise) with smaller accents on shelves or side tables.
• In open-plan areas, cluster three plants of varying heights for visual interest.

Think in textures and tones

Treat foliage like you would fabrics — texture matters. Pair glossy leaves with matte ceramics or woven baskets. Combine fine, trailing leaves with broad, structural ones.

When styling multiple plants, repeat one element (colour, pot tone or texture) to tie the look together. Terracotta, concrete and warm neutrals are timeless choices that suit Australian light.

Style by room

Living room

Make a statement with a tall hero plant near a window or reading chair. Use trailing species on shelves for softness.

Bedroom

Opt for air-purifying varieties like peace lilies or snake plants. Keep the palette calm — one large plant or a few small ones is enough.

Kitchen

Go practical with herbs or low-maintenance succulents. A hanging planter near the sink keeps greenery in sight without taking bench space.

Bathroom

Love humidity? So do ferns and orchids. A small stool or shower shelf can hold a touch of green in smaller spaces.

Use planters as part of your decor

Don’t underestimate the power of a good pot. Designers often treat planters as furniture — think sculptural bases, textural ceramics or rattan covers. Stick to a consistent colour story so your greenery feels curated, not cluttered.

Pro tip: hide plastic nursery pots inside larger decorative ones for easy watering and drainage.

Maintain the look

• Rotate plants every few weeks so they grow evenly.
• Dust leaves regularly to help them breathe.
• Use saucers or liners to protect surfaces.
• Trim dead leaves to keep arrangements tidy.

Consistency is the secret to designer-looking greenery. A few minutes each week keeps your plants — and your space — thriving.

Save this

Bookmark for your next weekend styling project — and remember, plants don’t need to match your decor. They make it.