Decorating With Faux Greenery
No doubt, adding plants instantly changes an atmosphere + adds a beautiful element to the interior of your home.
However, isn’t it funny though, that the moment we hear the word “faux” greenery we cringe at merely the thought of such an idea? Unless of course, you have two black thumbs making it your only option. I see you girl :) In which case, faux greenery is quite literally a lifesaving act of kindness.
Whichever end of the spectrum you find yourself on #NoShame because the reality is –– there are some downright awful, cheap + ugly options out there but when it comes to faux greenery has actually come a long way in the last few years.
So, if like most, you struggle to keep the real stuff alive, know that you + faux greenery are about to become besties once you learn how to incorporate the elements of biophilic design into your home. And, even if you have the same love language as Mother Earth –– meaning your superpower is effortlessly growing + keeping plants alive –– there’s still reason for that green-thumb heart of your to love faux greenery (especially in areas with little to no natural light!)
Why Greenery Is Important In Biophilic Interior Design
Welcome to History 101, please take out your notebooks as we rehash civilization in about five sentences :)
When it comes to our surroundings, it comes as no surprise that we spend close to 22 hours a day indoors, especially during work. And yet, if you were to have a 1-on-1 pow-wow with our good old ancestors + asked them, “where do you spend most of your time?” They’d have replied, “outside.”
It’s fairly easy to see just how far we’ve evolved away from our innate human desires to be in tune with Mother Nature but when you take a step back + look at the way modern society functions or how we spend most of our time –– it’s in stark contrast to that of our ancestors.
In fact, did you know that the average American may only spend about 15 minutes a day outside?
Thus, now more than ever it is incredibly important for us to look at our surroundings + the environments in which we’re creating for ourselves (+ our families) with a hunger to be healthier and more aware of our wellbeing overall.
Which means, that incorporating greenery into your home isn’t simply a design element that we have an affinity for, here at Elegant Simplicity, but rather it’s a design necessity that’s based in science + has a direct correlation to the physical, mental + emotional impact on our family.
So, with that said — let’s talk all about faux greenery, shall we? And we’ll cover more biophilic interior design later.
Faux Trees
One of our favorite ways to add height to a space (or to fill out an empty corner) is to add a tall, beautiful + lush faux tree. It’s the perfect way to finish off the design of a room because trees feel so intuitive and ironically, even if their fake, natural to us.
While there are a ton of different types of faux trees out there to choose from, our go-to favorites are Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees and Olive Trees. How we decide between these two (or a handful of other trees we love) is really dependent upon the size leaf you’re needing for that particular space. Do you need something with a smaller scale leaf that feels more whimsical or does a large leaf size appeal to you + help balance out the visual movement of the room?
Once you begin scouring the world of faux trees you’re immediately pressed with answering the million-dollar question of –– what size should the faux tree be? And we almost always lean towards a tree that is 60” or taller because it bridges the gap between the scale of low furniture and tall ceilings.
Then for the perfect finishing touch, we love adding a basket at the base of the tree + whenever possible filled with moss.
Faux Potted Plants
When it comes to adding potted plants on side tables, coffee tables, or even bookshelves it can become a bit tricky trying to ensure those living, breathing O2 producing plants are getting enough sunlight. Which is where drumroll please… faux potted plants enter the equation.
Trust me, when it comes to creating a home that feels like it hugs your people, these guys are the perfect styling detail + a fantastic way to pack a big design-savvy punch into an otherwise small + underwhelming space.
For nearly every real plant you can think of, there’s a faux counterpart if you dig deep enough. From ferns, + floral to sedums + succulents, faux potted plants are a simple way to quickly dress up low light areas of your home — hello powder room?!
And, even though they’re typically pre-potted, as interior designers we always love popping them into a larger pot with some visually interesting texture, color, or even an interesting shape that complements the rest of the design.
Are you’re starting to connect the dots + understand why really good design is an investment that takes time?
Faux Sprigs or Stems
Eeek...my heart just skipped a beat. We are avid lovers when it comes to using faux sprigs or stems of greenery in just about any vase we put in your home. From the dining room table to a fireplace mantel + let’s not forget about that lonely kitchen counter of yours. Faux sprigs or stems of greenery truly add a touch of elegance to even the most basic vase.
Be it sprigs of eucalyptus, ginkgo branches, olive tree stems or so be it something completely different. What you want to keep in mind is that, the taller your greenery sprig the taller your vase. Ready for the good news... you can cut the stems down to customize + fit the size and proportions of your vase! Because honey, you don’t want to overdo it here.
Speaking of cutting stems keep in mind that nature doesn’t typically grow in perfect uniformity. Hence the organic cowhide-shaped rug *wink* What I mean by this, is that when you are arranging sprigs of faux greenery, you want your vase to look natural, so get frustrated if has a bit of a whimsical personality to it. One way to achieve this organic movement is by alternating + using the various stem lengths.
Styling Tips For Decorating With Faux Greenery
Shape Your Greenery To Look Organic
The challenge with making faux greenery look real is to create undulation in the leaves, sprigs, or stems. You can do this by bending them or by cutting a few leaves or branches off. Oh… and one of the most important things to remember, is don’t forget to fluff your faux greenery! Sometimes, depending on spatial limitations, we’ve even been know to groom the greenery by trimming pieces to make it feel more natural. So girl, when it comes to shaping your greenery, “do their own thing” + don’t be afraid to let leaves spill over the edge.
Mix Faux Greenery + Real Greenery
I wouldn’t necessarily go so far as to mixing faux greenery into the same pot as real botanicals but mixing the two together on a long dining table on an entry console or even in a living room will absolutely bring your space to life.
Variety Is The Spice Of Life
When using faux greenery it can be easy to get stuck using pots or vases that are the same color, texture, or even the same height. Adding variety to your pots and vases will make your faux greenery feel very real.
Keep It Simple
When all else fails (+ if it feels kind of like you’re trying to walk and chew gum at the same time) when it comes to adding faux greenery to your home’s decor, keep it simple. A faux plant is just that.
And there you have it, folks. The basic fundamentals of decorating with faux greenery. Designing a home that feels like a place you never want to leave isn’t difficult; However, it can feel overwhelming.
So, if that’s you — let’s carve out some time in our day that’s just for you. To schedule a FREE 30-minute clarity call, grab your calendar + click here.