Written by Nol
Image courtesy of Cool Materials
Biophilic design is perhaps one of the fastest-growing areas trending in the repertoire of interior design and a vital way by which we can construct our sanctuaries to prioritize our health and wellness. Terrapin notes that including elements of the natural world in your indoor space ‘can reduce stress, enhance creativity and clarity of thought, improve our well-being and expedite healing’. Statistically, plants calm the mind, can help air quality, and even improve life expectancy. With these facts in mind, there is no doubt that including greenery in your personal space is a design choice all of us should be encouraged to make, especially in a world that has become increasingly more urban.
However, not all of us are quite attuned to the finer details of how to keep nature alive behind the closed doors of an apartment. Luckily, here at The Nol Team, we have gathered all the facts, research, and tips you need to get started on ‘greenifying’ your home space!
How to Incorporate Plants Into Your Sanctuary
Incorporating plants into your sanctuary may at first seem like a daunting task, especially in a potentially small space. Here are some ideas to get you started with linked tutorials to help you bring them to fruition!
1. Make Your Own Terrarium
One of the cutest ways you can display nature in your space is by making your own terrarium. It’s easy to set up and pretty much self-sustaining, as the plants often included in a terrarium don’t often require much water for maintenance. There are plenty of tutorials across the internet that can walk you through how to do it right – get inspired, and get designing!
2. Grow an Herb Garden
There’s nothing more rejuvenating than being able to grow your own produce right in your own living space. Such a dream may seem impossible to the city-apartment dweller. However, this lifestyle is more accessible than you might expect. Get started by buying the unique ‘AeroGarden’, and click here for tips and tricks for setting up an indoor herb garden, and growing anything from strawberries to basil!
3. Give Trees a Try
Putting a tree in your space sounds like a hassle – don’t even get us started on the arduous annual hauling of Christmas trees and how much stress that can cause. However, the trees we are talking about are ones of the slightly smaller, slightly less needle-y variety. Some trees that don’t take up much floor space include European olive trees, tree ferns, or fishtail palms. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, you might be ready to take on higher-maintenance citrus trees – whether that be lemons or even oranges. Here are some of the most popular trees used to decorate your indoor space courtesy of the Spruce. Make the Lorax happy, and start planting!
4. Hanging Planters
Lacking ground space? Hanging planters might be your solution. Make your sanctuary feel stylish and green while also maximizing space efficiency – truly curating a space that prioritizes your health and wellness. Click here to buy a hanging planter now and get started on decorating your sanctuary!
5. Humidity Plants and Bathrooms
Believe it or not, your bathroom is one of the best places you can keep plants – especially ones that love humidity. Place a fern, eucalyptus, or other humidity-loving plants in your bathroom, and watch the magic happen with every shower. Prepare to feel refreshed and rejuvenated in your new rainforest of relaxation!
6. Keep Low Maintenance Plants
Last but not least, we have the types of plants that generally do not require much maintenance, and therefore would be perfect for a small or apartment-like space. Here are some of the best plants to include in your sanctuary that require little maintenance, and nonetheless relay all the positive benefits of having a biophilic space!
Low Light Plants
Microplants
Pothos
Snake Plant
ZZ Plant
Marimo Moss Balls
Philodendron
Essential Plant Shops
Image courtesy of The Shopkeepers
Stuck on where to begin shopping for your greenery? Look no further – The Nol Team already has a number of favorite select stores to choose from. Check out the family-owned Urban Garden Center on Park Ave for plants, seeds, sod, tools, accessories, firewood, and more. Or maybe you’d be more keen on Green Fingers Market, which has store branches in Milan and Tokyo as well as NYC. If you’re in Williamsburg, check out the Chelsea Garden Center to ‘satisfy your inner planthead’. All in all, while notoriously being an epicenter of urban living, New York City has much to offer regarding greenery and makes greenifying your sanctuary not as difficult and daunting as it may first seem.
Of course, adding plants is just one pillar in the construct of biophilic design. Stay tuned for tips on how to incorporate biophilic design into your sanctuary. Nevertheless, we hope to have helped you on the first steps to incorporating biophilic design into your home, so that your space is one where your well-being can flourish – just like the greenery you’ll plant within it!
May you be well,
The Nol Team
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We hope you enjoy the plants and gadgets we’ve recommended for your sanctuary. In honor of full transparency, we may collect a small commission if you purchase these products through the external links on our page, at no extra cost to you.