Image copyright Clair Strong Interior Design
As we get nearer to winter, and the leaves begin to disappear some of us become a bit glum by the lack of greenery; especially us city dwellers! If you thought that living in a city meant gardening was only a distant dream, think again. It’s surprisingly simple to create an indoor garden in your city pad; whether big or small!
In today’s post I’ll be providing a couple of ideas to kick-start your newly green home interior design!
Window Boxes
Contrary to popular belief, indoor gardens don’t require – or take up – a great deal of space. Window boxes are an ideal place to start, especially for those of you with black fingers! They’re easy to look after and are usually placed in optimal position for sunlight. You can grow all manner of plants, including your favourite flowers, shrubs, herbs and even vegetables!
Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets are a clever way to incorporate some green into your space without taking up limited surface areas. Hanging baskets are traditionally hung outside front doors but there’s no reason why they can’t hang from the ceiling indoors! They’re not as old-fashioned and frumpy as they once were. In fact, hanging planters, like these on Etsy, have become very chic. For the most dramatic effect, trailing plants are perfect.
Vertical Gardens
Living walls are one of the most striking ways you can bring greenery into your home. They are essentially panels of plants, grown vertically on structures that are affixed to the walls. Impressively beautiful, no doubt, but living walls also help improve air quality in city homes – they’re wonderful natural filters. They are more of a commitment than hanging baskets and window boxes, but the rewards are worth the effort.
Green Roofs
OK, so green roofs are not strictly an ‘indoor’ garden but they’re still ideal for homes with limited space. If you have a flat, well supported roof, all you need is a waterproof membrane and some soil before you get growing! The benefits of a roof garden are numerous; it provides additional insulation, absorbs rainwater (thus protecting your tiles), creates a habitat for wildlife and improves your own well-being. Start growing the garden in spring and enjoy elegant roof top soirees by summer.
Whether you plan to cultivate your own produce, or like the eco-credentials of an indoor garden; you don’t need masses of space or money to incorporate an oasis into your home interior design.
