Introduction
Plant decor ideas for small living rooms need to do two jobs: add greenery and take up very little space. When floor space is tight, the best spots are usually up high or against a wall, on a shelf, a trellis or a wall planter, so the plants do not crowd the room. In this guide, you’ll find six space-saving ideas, many of them suitable for renters, plus tips on light, drainage and pet safety so your plants stay healthy in a compact room.
Start With One Plant Corner
One of the simplest plant decor ideas for small living rooms is to give your plants a single spot instead of scattering pots around. Group two or three plants in one corner near a window, so they share the light and the rest of the room stays open. If you are starting out with indoor plants for home décor, choosing a designated area to keep all your green babies is best. This will help create a focal point that will make the right impact whenever a guest comes to your house.
Choose A Floating Shelf
A floating shelf lifts plants off the floor, which makes it one of the best plant decor ideas for small living rooms. Trailing plants like pothos spill over the edge, and the University of Minnesota Extension lists pothos among its low-light plants. If the shelf sits near a TV, keep water away from the electronics, and use a saucer so drips do not land on the furniture. Wouldn’t it be lovely to watch your favorite movies and shows on the big screen with crawlers like Pothers sprawling across the floating TV shelf? It creates a gorgeous cascading effect, especially for light wall colors.
Style Indoor Plants On A Fireplace Mantle
The fireplace is a focal point of our living room, and we can decorate it with indoor plants. These are perfect for being placed with candles and small art pieces you have curated from your trips to flea markets.
Crawler Plants Across The Wall
A lightweight trellis lets a climbing plant grow up the wall instead of across your floor, so it suits small living rooms and rentals. Choose a trellis that mounts with removable strips or hangs from a hook, and check your lease before you drill. Place it near a window, since climbing plants still need light. Decorative trellis are in vogue as they rank high on the style factor while being easy on the wallet. Try these living room decor ideas crafted using bamboo and similar crawler plants. If you are staying on rent but wish to spice up your living room décor, this indoor plant trellis can be a lightweight solution. If you don’t have the budget to paint your bland white walls, you can easily cover them up using indoor plants in many colors.
Set Plants Against A Dark Wall
Whenever we think of green plants, the first thing that comes to mind is setting them up against light-colored backgrounds. After all, the leafy plants’ vibrant shades of green and red can light up bland walls. You can also create a statement by placing the plants against walls of a dark tone.
Create A Plant Terrarium
A terrarium is a small, contained way to bring a plant into a room that has no space for a large one. A closed glass jar holds humidity, so choose plants that like it, and avoid succulents, which prefer drier conditions. Set it on a side table or hang it from a secure hook rated for the weight of the glass and soil. You can try gorgeous living room decor ideas, such as creating a plant terrarium. All you will need is a small glass jar, and you can make a mini green world by placing small indoor plants inside it. You can spice things up with colored pebbles and glass stones. These terrariums can elevate the style quotient of your living room as you place them on side tables and coffee tables. For an unexpected design, you can hang them from the ceiling.
Create A Reading Corner
A reading corner works well in a small room when the plants stay slim. Choose one tall, narrow plant beside the chair and a few small ones on a nearby table, rather than a large plant that takes over the corner. Make sure the corner gets enough light, because a dim spot is hard for most plants. Make the most of your limited floor space with a cozy reading corner filled with green indoor plants. You can bring in large plants that will serve as a canopy as you sit underneath the tall plants and read your favorite novels. Alternatively, you can bring in small plants and place them around the chair to induce a calm atmosphere in your living space.
Opt For Wall Mounted Planters
Wall-mounted planters turn an empty wall into green decor without using any floor space. Many are small, so they hold small plants, and you can paint plain ones with acrylic paint for a custom look. Choose planters with a liner or tray, because Colorado State University Extension says plastic or ceramic saucers protect furniture and floors under containers with drainage holes. Use hardware rated for the weight of wet soil. Want to create interesting décor in your living room on a budget? Wall-mounted planters are your best bet. These are perfect if you have empty spaces in your living room where you wish to create eye-catching décor. The wall-mounted planters have a small dimension and can serve you well if you wish to go the DIY route and create custom planters by painting them using acrylic paints and decorating them.
Light, Drainage and Pet Safety in a Small Room
Small rooms still need the basics. The University of Minnesota Extension says all plants require light, and supplemental lighting can make up for a lack of natural sunlight, so use a grow light if your room is dim. Colorado State University Extension says ideal containers have drainage holes, and that decorative containers often do not have them, so you may need to double-pot. It also says plastic or ceramic saucers protect furniture and floors under containers with drainage holes. That matters on a shelf or a wall planter, where drips land on your furniture. Before you buy, check each plant on the ASPCA’s toxic and non-toxic plants list. Read more in the University of Minnesota Extension’s guide to lighting for indoor plants and the Colorado State University Extension’s guide to houseplant containers.
Conclusion
The best plant decor ideas for small living rooms keep the floor clear and the plants in good light. Start with one shelf, trellis or wall planter, use saucers to protect your furniture, and check pet safety before you buy. For a wider set of ideas, see our full guide to living room plant decor ideas. Use your live slug if it is different.
