Modern and minimal
A contemporary interior design – built on clean lines and a minimalist approach to items in the room – calls for plants that are simple and graphic by nature. Then, their bold and dramatic shapes will add focal points without compromising the overall design of your interior space.
Using plants to achieve the look
Less is more – A modern and minimalist interior space should be based around clean shapes – clearly defined areas bounded by strong lines. When choosing suitable plants, then, less is definitely more. They should add subtle focal points.
Location, location, location – Where you position your plants is almost as important as the specimens you choose. In strong, geometric planters they will provide most visual impact when placed against clean backgrounds.
Size matters – Think carefully about the size of the plants for your interior space. Too small and they will be lost; too big and they will dominate the room. One idea, however, can be to include just one very large plant, such as a giant ficus or philodendron.
Plants and flowers to consider
- Ficus – A member of the fig genus, there are literally hundreds of species of ficus. They are native throughout the tropics, including Asia, America and Africa, and they are often used as landscape trees. They can provide many years of lush foliage and are ideal as a stand-alone signature display.
- Philodendron – Most common is the Heartleaf philodendron, a vining climber with dark green, heart-shaped leaves that can provide a strong relief to the clean space of a minimalist interior space. Few houseplants are as eager to climb. For added visual drama, put the plant in a hanging basket or let it trail from a shelf or bookcase.
- Aloe vera – The Aloe vera is much-valued for the restorative properties of its sap, but its distinctive, fleshy cactus-like leaves can also provide visual interest, especially when positioned so that light in the room allows it to cast interesting shadows through the day.
- Bromeliads – Most bromeliads have a compressed stem and leaves in a vase-shaped rosette and it is this compact display of almost fluorescent colour that makes them ideal for contemporary spaces. The hard, brightly coloured parts of plant are not flowers, but actually modified leaves. The small white, yellow, purple or pink flowers emerge from within these bracts.
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue – Otherwise known as the Snake Plant, this easy-to-care-for plant has upright variegated leaves, often edged with yellow or white, and – for maximum visual impact – would particularly suit a corner position where it can echo the strong verticals. Indoors, it can go years between flowering, but that makes it an even nicer surprise when it does.
Tips
A modern and minimalist decor scheme calls for planters that are every bit as contemporary. Go for circular planters or those in simple, geometric shapes. Colours should be solid and bold and black or white pots also fit in well. Materials should be ultra-modern, although highly polished wood can work, taking its cue from Japanese design.
References
http://thehomeinteriordesign.com/making-minimalist-garden.html
http://www.interiordesigning.net/minimalist-interior-planter-pots/
http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/Ficus.htm
http://byf.unl.edu/Philodendron
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/aloe-vera.html
http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/mother-in-laws-tongue.html
