How to use plants in your home

If you're looking for a stunningly simple way to refresh your home, plants could be the solution.

To help you come up with the ideal way to brighten up your home, the experts at gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk have compiled a list of creative tips for you...

A modern way of displaying plants in your home, terrariums can either be bought ready planted, or alternatively, you can make your own with a glass jar, container or fishbowl. They're perfect for housing both succulents and cacti, as they only require small amounts of water and significant amounts of light to thrive.

Take the chance to immerse your home with greenery - it's currently one of the hottest interior trends and provides a sense of calm to any space. There are also certain plants you can add that improve the air quality in your home - big leafy greens are a stunning look in any modern home but opting for plants with differing heights is a great way of creating a sense of balance.

A simple way to break up an empty space is a large plant pot that is painted in a bright colour - this not only looks stylish but also fills the room perfectly. A good tip is to paint in a single shade that will match the accents of your home furnishings - this will create a cohesive colour scheme.

If you're looking to add some style to your home, a fun and inventive method will be displaying plants in unusual containers - for instance, an old teapot. Filling your home with small houseplants and succulents will create a vintage, quirky feel. Keep your eyes peeled at local charity shops or car boot sales to find cheap pieces that can be easily transformed into makeshift plant pots.

A great way to add a feature with houseplants is to pair them with greenery that has different heights and textures. Unsurprisingly, different plants require different conditions, so try to match the plants that suit the spot you want to place them.

Growing your own herbs is a great feeling. If you'd like to have them close by when cooking, a clever way to do this will be creating an interesting feature in your kitchen. This is done by growing them in hanging containers - you can always hang them up as close to a windowsill as possible, so they can receive the maximum light.

When you decorate your home with houseplants, don't forget the bathroom. A steamy environment provides the perfect climate for certain plants, and they will look just as at home on a windowsill as they would next to the sink. If you'd rather achieve a retro look, hang them on the wall - green plants always complement white bedrooms.

If a corner of your home looks bleak, a great way to fill the space and bring it to life will be with a houseplant - if it is a particularly shady spot, go for a plant which doesn't need any sunlight to thrive. Place the plant in a colourful pot to create additional statement.

If you're looking to frame a large mirror on a mantel or dresser, look to topiary - this will be especially great when you're looking to add style to any home, when all you need are two matching indoor plants to be placed on either side. It also gives your room some continuity which will create a balanced living space, subsequently creating a calming effect.

First popular in the 70's, this retro style has recently made a revival.

This technique uses ropes and knots to form a planter - they will look great in any room and also work well with cacti and succulents.