The Best Plants for Each Room in Your Home

plants for your home white bird of paradise plant leaves against white wall

By now, it should come as no surprise to learn that nearly every room in my home is occupied by at least one plant. And we know that plants for your home can add a touch of color and quite literally breathe life into every room.

But not all houseplants are created equal. Some do better with high humidity and others love to soak up the sun. The good news is that for every main room in your home, there’s a houseplant that will fit in perfectly with the decor, purpose, and level of light.

Living Room
Your living room is often your greatest area of traffic and what many guests will see first. Choosing a statement floor plant (or two) will provide a refreshing focal point. They’re also useful for hiding unattractive cords or equipment and for filling in the empty corners of the room. If you have any shelving or mantles than need a little extra decor, a shelf plant is a perfect addition. Recommended plants:

  • Bird of Paradise: bright light, floor decor
  • Rubber tree: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron: low light, shelf decor

Dining Room
Your dining room may not have as much extra space as the living room, but that doesn’t mean a plant or two can’t adorn this room. In most homes, the dining room is full of bright light, so this room is ideal for fiddle leaf figs and other floor plants that need full sun. If you don’t have room for a floor plant, hanging a creeping vine (such as a philodendron or pothos) in the corner of the room can add a touch of elegance, too. Recommended plants:

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig: bright light, floor decor
  • Monstera Deliciosa: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron/Pothos: low light, tabletop/hanging decor

Kitchen
The best part of having plants in the kitchen is that you can choose ones that can double both for decor and to add flavor to your meals. If you have a window in your kitchen, you have a prime spot for plants you can also eat, such as basil, cilantro, and other herbs. While your kitchen won’t be as humid as your bathroom, it will still be more so than other rooms in your house, so succulents are an excellent addition, too. Recommend plants:

  • Herbs: bright light, countertop decor
  • Succulents: medium light, windowsill decor
  • Philodendron: low light, hanging/cabinet top decor

Bedroom
Plants in your home will help purify the air, but this is especially helpful in bedrooms. Adding a plant or two to your bedroom provides a calming sanctuary for resting and may even help you breathe easier! Choose plants that not only make you feel happy but ones that fit in with the level of light most common for your room. A plant in need of bright light may not do well if you like to keep the curtains drawn for most of the day. Recommended plants:

  • Fiddle Leaf Fig: bright light, floor decor
  • Snake plant: medium light, floor decor
  • Philodendron: low light, hanging/dresser top decor

Bathroom
Your bathroom is unique in that it gets the highest level of humidity, but often the lowest level of sunlight. If your bathroom does have a window (like mine), you have a perfect tropical oasis for such plants as succulents and cacti. Otherwise, sticking with a plant that prefers the humidity, but not the direct light is a better choice. Unless you’re fine with leaving them near a window for a few hours each week. Recommended plants:

  • Succulents, Air plants, Cacti: bright light, shelf decor
  • Parlor Palm: medium light, floor decor
  • Pothos: low light, shelf/hanging decor

What’s in Your Home?
Buying plants for your home can seem a little daunting, so I hope this guide will make shopping fun! What plants do you already have in your home? Which ones are you going to buy next? I’d love to know!

XO,
Micah

DIY Elegant Macrame Plant Hanger

macrame plant hanger holding white pot with philodendron plant

“Macrame” is a term I only learned a few years ago. Or perhaps that was simply the time in my life when I decided to investigate it further. Despite having first pronounced it “mah-CRAME”, I soon learned both how to say it correctly and what it was all about. It changed my life.

Well, not literally, of course, but it did provide an outlet for my creativity that not only involved a level of strategy but my love for plants as well! Win-win. Learning how to tie macrame knots is the most difficult part of this project. If you feel stuck, head over to YouTube and watch some tutorials. Or, experiment on your own. After all, every knot you tie can be taken out and redone!

If you follow along closely with my tutorial, the measurements I’ve made fit a 5in diameter pot. The length of your cords will depend on how many knots you want to tie and the size of your potted plant. The best part about making your own macrame plant hanger is that there’s no limit to the styles, lengths, or variations of the knots you choose, so you have the freedom to be creative!

For a little inspiration, and to see how to tie certain knots, check out this video. Ready to get creative? You’ll need the following supplies:

  • 3mm natural cotton cord
  • 2in stainless steel ring
  • Scissors
  • Scotch tape
  • Tape measure
  • Potted plant

Preparation
Cut your cords as follows: 8 cords cut to 10ft each; 1 cord cut to 6ft; and 2 cords cut to 3ft each. Bundle all 10ft cords, then loop them through the ring to where they fold at their midpoint. Looped, you should have 16 cords hanging at 5ft in length. Tape a few inches below the loop.

1. Secure the Loop
Cover the ring with the 6ft cord using a buttonhole clasp knot. Continue tying this knot until it circles the ring, with the eight looped cords hiding these starting and ending cords. Now, using one of your 3ft cords, secure the looped cords (including the leftover cords from your clasp knot) with a wrapped knot.

2. Tie Grouped Knots
Separate cords into four groups of four. Tie a set of square knots down each group of four cords, alternating between one right square knot and one left square knot until 5in long. About 5in below your first row, tie a set of spiral stitch knots until they reach 3in long. Eight inches below, add another set of square knots 3in in length.

3. Connect the Cord Groups
Three inches below the last knot group, take the far right strand of the first group and tie a barrel knot with the far left strand of the second group. Repeat between the second and third groups until the four original groups have been tired together. Test exact lengths by holding your pot inside this basket of knots. Adjust lengths accordingly.

4. Secure the Hanger Base
Using your last 3ft cord, tie a wrapped knot 3in below the barrel knots (or about 6in below the last square knot group). When the knot is secured, trim the remaining cords to 4in and run your fingers through them until they separate. Now, gently place your pot back inside the “tube” of cords until its resting in the basket. You’re done!

Still trying to grasp how to tie each knot? Ready to try making a macrame plant hanger for yourself? I’d love to hear your comments and answer your questions! Happy crafting!

XO,
Micah

Halloween DIY: Spooky Succulent Planters

woman holding rose gold spray painted pumpkin with a succulent plant

I’m not one to celebrate Halloween, but it’s hard to pass up a spooky DIY project involving succulents. Plus, I don’t mind a little themed decor around the house, especially since they add a pop of rose gold and green to my otherwise white kitchen shelving. In as long as it takes spray paint to dry (hours if you’re in this humidity), you can have these fancy succulent planters around your home, too!

1. Gather the Supplies

succulent plants with mini jack o' lanterns next to spray paint can

You’ll only need a few items to turn boring, plastic pumpkins into spooky succulent planters:

  • Four succulents
  • Mini Jack O’ Lanterns
  • Rose gold spray paint
  • Potting soil (optional)

If you’re completing this project indoors, be sure to protect any surfaces from the spray paint and dirt. A few layers of newspaper work well, as do plastic bags. This makes it simple to clean up, too!

2. Paint the Pumpkins

rose gold spray painted mini jack o' lanterns

Paint the entire pumpkin, being sure to spray evenly. Since they’re plastic, the paint can easily clump or drip down the side. Two thin coats were enough to give these pumpkins a beautiful rose gold sheen. Allow them to dry completely before adding the dirt and succulents.

3. Plant the Succulents

woman planting succulent into plastic pumpkin spray painted rose gold

Carefully remove the succulent by squeezing around the bottom of its container and letting it fall loose. Remove the dirt from around the roots and use it to fill the pumpkin about half to two-thirds full. Then gently place the succulent, being sure to pack dirt around the base of the plant.

woman planting succulent into rose gold painted jack o' lantern

Repeat this step until all your pumpkins have been filled. Be sure to give your succulents a mist of water once they’re planted! Place your fancy succulent planter near a window that gets plenty of natural light.

4. Enjoy Your Spooky Decor

jack o' lantern planter filled with succulent plants

Now that your succulents are planted and happy in their new home, you can enjoy them for more than just Halloween! Will you try your hand at these succulent planters? I’d love to know! Meanwhile, I’ll be lovingly caring for my own … or maybe gifting them to friends!

XO,
Micah