Give your home a green refresh!

It’s easy for the winter blues to descend in January. When all the fun of the festive season is over, the Christmas decorations have come down, and the skies are grey, our living spaces can feel cold and bare.

My favourite way to lift the spirits at this time of year is to add lots of fresh greenery. I find going on a houseplant buying spree in January is the quickest and easiest way to bring life and vitality back to my home.

The first tip to decorating with plants is don’t hold back. Abundance and variety are the key to a successful botanical theme. Just popping a couple of plants on your windowsill isn’t enough, they really need to become a focal point of the room.

What plants to buy

If you’re missing your Christmas tree, an instant way to fill the void is with a large statement plant. My go-to choices include Dracaena which is an easy-to-care for plant known for its tropical look and the striking Fiddle Leaf Fig which adds a touch of elegance to any room.

Ficus Benjamina (Weeping fig) can be used to give height and structure to an empty corner. The natural woven look of the stem and masses of small green leaves make it a real standout plant.

My all-time favourite houseplant has to be the Calathea (Prayer plant) as it creates texture and movement. Watch as the leaves close up at night when it’s dark. But be warned it is quite needy so will need love and attention to thrive.

Ferns are another good option because they don’t need too much sunlight which makes them ideal for the darker days of January. They do drink a lot though so make sure not to let the soil dry out.

Placing a hanging plant on a shelf is a simple way to add drama. The ever-popular ivy is so easy to look after and can be hung from the ceiling in small spaces too.

To counter the grey skies, opt for flowering plants like African violets, orchids, cyclamen or amaryllis which provide a much-needed pop of colour in the depths of winter.

And think about scents too. Stephanotis, also known as Madagascar Jasmine, boasts striking white blooms which are very fragrant. It’s lovely to have a fresh new home scent in January to replace the spicy cinnamon notes of Christmas.

Styling tips

Always try to choose a theme for your pots. I’ve opted for green and gold in the display here. Plant pots can bring so much colour and texture into your interiors so it’s nice to have lots of different ones rather than sticking to the same style.

An easy design tip is to cluster houseplants at varying heights. Using plant stands, floating shelves and hanging planters to display plants at various levels creates a layered and contemporary look. Think of it as indoor plant theatre.

And always try grouping plants in odd numbers for a better visual effect. It looks much more natural and less formal.

For rooms with high ceilings, a weeping fig tree really helps to lead the eye upwards, which is especially effective if you have architectural features that you want to show off.

For shelving, trailing plants are an ideal way to add softness to rows of books. Succulents have architectural style so they can be useful for filling the gaps where objects look a little bit rigid.

Choosing the right plants for the right spaces makes all the difference. With a little effort and design know-how, it’s easy to add new life to your home by bringing the beauty of the outdoors in.