It’s peak summer - half of everyone you know is down the shore, the pavement is so hot you can feel it in your shoes, and each of us have a craving for ice cream. And if you’re like me, we love the lush, green landscape this time of year. In my neighbourhood - and maybe yours, too - big trees stand tall providing much needed shade, as a warm breeze whispers through the canopies, bending the tiger lilies. Amazing, right?
So how do we bring this wonderful feeling into our home? No matter where you live, a bit of greenery is always welcomed inside. It adds a touch of real life, and warmth, to our spaces. Taureans especially will be ahead of the curve on this and likely not reading this because they’re watering the plants; but for the rest of us, here’s a few ways to incorporate lush greens into your home!
Eucalyptus in the shower. There’s a reason this is number one! Run, don’t walk, to your nearest florist (or even the grocery store) to pick up a bunch of eucalyptus. Hang the bunch from your showerhead and you’ll instantly turn your shower into a spa-like escape. Not only are the wide, matte leaves gorgeous, but by putting the branches in your shower, the heat will slowly release that gorgeous eucalyptus scent as you get ready for the day. No need for an expensive trip to the 5-star resort and spa when you can feel like you’re at one every day in your own house.
Potted plants. This is pretty straightforward - add some potted plants! Between the endless variations of plants themselves, and tasteful or funky pots to stick them in, this is what most of us - especially renters - can do to add greenery to our spaces. Selecting the perfect plant does depend on the amount of light your home gets, the placement of the plants, and your skill level, but doing so instantly elevates any home and helps boost our mood. Many plants even filter the air, adding an extra benefit to our environment. Some of us don’t have much of a green thumb, though, and thankfully this isn’t a problem. These days, there is a plethora of faux plants available on the market - from cost-efficient faux succulents to extravagant, centerpiece-level bouquets; you can even large trees. They may not filter the air like a real plant does, but they still add that pop of colour and (maybe not-so natural) greenery to a space that might otherwise need it! No watering required.
Pressed flowers. Listen, pressed flowers are not just for the cottage-core lovers and those with grand millennial style - they’re for everyone, adding an elegant and personal touch to any space. Easily framed and DIY’d, there’s a reason for their popularity. Your favourite summer flowers? Pressed! Flowers from the field where you got engaged? Press them! This is a fun, family-friendly activity with just enough sentiment to make a Cancer get teary-eyed. Let’s face it - everyone loves flowers, arranging them is fun, and it’s versatile - you can do a small tabletop frame or a large composition for a gallery wall. Not to mention, this is a great gift for a friend, family member, housewarming, or anniversary. I personally love to press autumn leaves, especially for my mother, who lives in Florida and misses the foliage every year. I enjoy taking walks and selecting a wide array of leaves, based on colour, shape, and size, and pressing them. Imagine what you can do with gorgeous spring and summer blooms!
Dried herbs & flowers. Similar to pressed flowers, dried flowers and herbs are another great way to add low-cost, low-maintenance greenery to your home. Dried flowers may not be as verdant and glorious as some of the other options listed here, but add beautiful textures, and are often well-suited to more neutral spaces or those with enough colour where more isn’t needed. I have a gorgeous bundle of dried lavender from a friend’s garden that fits perfectly in a fun, funky purple vase I picked up. Pampas grass is a trendy and fun way to incorporate this option, whether you go for natural or dyed options - just make sure to shake them outside, first!
Hopefully these suggestions get you well on your way to adding some gorgeous greenery into your homes. If you’re already living inside a lush paradise, what do you do? If you’re looking to add some, which of these will you be taking on? We can’t wait to see!
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