Photo: meganpru / Flickr

Spring always seems so long away during the cold, barren months of winter. Often it can be hard to notice any sort of colour when looking out the window at the streets outside, which is why it is important to spice up your home and add some natural colour of your own. Houseplants can add some much-needed natural colour to your home, while providing some additional benefits of their own.

Air quality

The quality of indoor air has been deteriorating and is a major concern today. Organic compounds from cleaners are volatile and various household products can remain inside the average tightly-insulated homes. Investing in a pot plant can be the easiest way to clean and freshen the stale indoor air.

A study from NASA confirmed how plants are well suited for cleaning and purifying indoor air. Many of these plants are not only good to look at, but are easy to grow and are good for our homes. Indoor house plants need only a small amount of light as well as a regular supply of water, while remaining easy to maintain.

Decoration

Apart from the obvious benefits of maintaining houseplants in your home, they also look great and bring a much-needed natural feel to any household. Homeowners can of course opt for a delicate and subtle touch here and there, but layered plants, varying in size, can really bring a room to life.

Good choices

Placing a tall ficus in a corner opposite the door makes the room seem larger, while a floor plant next to an entertainment centre will soften the corner. A peace lily is a great choice, as it is one of the easiest plants to grow and only needs a small amount of light. English ivy tucked into a basket also complements a sofa table or any sort of console nicely.

Your local nursery or supermarket will have a good selection of house plants to choose from. Do some research or ask an experienced gardener for advice before choosing a plant, though. Some plants flourish in shade, while others will need a sunny windowsill.

Tags: home decor