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How to maximise on natural light in your space

Maximise on natural light to optimise on work levels

There are many benefits for using natural light in your building. Natural light can raise the mood and is known to boost the immune system. The design and detail of furniture and furnishings can be better appreciated in natural light. Colours are natural and not altered as they are with other lighting. Another major benefit is the amount of energy saved and the lower cost of electric bills.

With the beginning of the New Year now behind us, the darker months of winter are seen by many as the perfect time to redecorate. It is fun to restyle spaces to reflect current trends and to make them more practical as work patterns change. if you are planning to give yours a fresh new look, it is easy to incorporate some features that will maximise on the use of light coming in through the windows to make working easier and more comfortable. We suggest ways in which you can maximise on natural light in your space.

Maximise on natural light in your space with mirrors

The addition of some really large wall mirrors are a great way to increase natural light in a room as they reflect the light coming in through the windows. More light creates a brighter and refreshing ambiance in a room. Increasing the amount of natural light is also a clever way to make the room seem more spacious. The ideal place to hang the mirror is on the wall opposite the window as this will double the amount of day light in the room.

A collection of small mirrors hung on a wall together can worth well too. Another clever way to reflect day light is by choosing chrome furniture or ones with glass or mirror decoration. With more light being reflected into the room, there will probably no longer be a need for strip lighting. Numerous small recessed ceiling lights that are adjustable, can be very effective and their light is not so stark.

Choose a lighter paint palette

Dark wall colours absorb, rather than reflect, natural light and whilst this can create a warm cosy atmosphere – choosing these colours does not maximise on the amount of natural light. If you are planning to paint the walls, why not opt for clean white walls for maximum reflection of the day light? If you don’t like the starkness of white, light, silvery grey remains a popular paint colour in 2021. There are many other soft pale hues on the market with subtle hints of gold, pink and green and these all work well.

While you have the paintbrush out, is the ceiling white? Darker coloured ceilings make rooms look smaller, more intimate and darker. White ceilings will make the room feel higher and more airy and will definitely help increase the amount of light. Brighten up dark wood or painted doors, door frames and window sills with a coat of fresh white paint. (https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/choosing-paint-colors-how-light-affects-color/)

Opt for lighter fabrics too

Darker fabric colours work in just the same way as dark paint and will absorb natural light rather than reflect it. Why not introduce some lighter colours into your space? This will work well with the current popular trend for resimercial styling which is making workspaces more homelike. Crisp functional colours are out of fashion this year and softer shades are popular. Wood is the preferred material for 2021, but not heavy, dark woods. Choosing lighter woods like pine and oak is important because these help make your space feel lighter, brighter, more spacious. in keeping with new trends, lighter coloured woods are also less formal .

Finally when considering fabrics, think about window dressings. To help maximise the amount of natural light coming in the windows, it is essential to keep window dressings light and bright. Dark heavy curtains and thick heavy blinds decrease the amount of light penetrating the room. If possible, leave windows without either will definitely help the natural light to come in.

Redesign your desk configuration.

Bright natural light is beneficial

With many staff members still working remotely, ‘hot desking is fast becoming the norm. Many spaces are being redesigned to make room for video conferencing facilities. it you are planning to rearrange the office, it is the ideal time to consider space and making the most of natural light. If possible, it is good to have desks placed near windows, because the most can be made of the daylight. This season, large indoor plants are proving popular with interior designers. They use them to enhance the light airy and less formal approach to office designs. The addition of some lush leafy plants, adds interest and informality to a room and uplifts spirits.

The good news is that whilst opting for larger windows and installing skylights is possible, but costly, our suggestions for maximising natural light in your work space are quick, effective and economical – Promising you a thrifty start to 2021.

For more ideas and guidance, https://www.ourhouseplants.com/guides/light is informative reading…

Ideas

Add a new dimension with trailing plants

Trailing plants are a great solution for adding greenery when space is a premium. Most plants can be suspended in hanging baskets or placed on a shelf such as the herbs and succulents featured in Floresy’s collaboration at Aneto Deli. But for a more wild, botanical look, why not try a trailing plant instead? Trailing plants will bring a softness – or even some wildness – to your interior decor.

trailing plants hanging from ceiling in a scandi bedroom

Trailing plants can be is displayed in the smallest of spaces whilst not taking up valuable floor space.

A trailing plant hanging from the ceiling will emphasise the height of a ceiling. Also, placing a trailing plant on a high shelf will likewise emphasise the expanse of a wall. Conversely, where the ceiling height is disproportionate to the size of the room, an array of trailing plants will lower the effective height of a ceiling. This eatery – Hammer & Tong 412 in Melbourne – does just that to create a more intimate setting.

Hammer & Tong 412 in Melbourne uses hanging vines to create a more intimate atmosphere.

How to display trailing plants

Hanging baskets

Long before living walls, there were hanging baskets. For the classic cottage garden look, it is hard to beat a traditional basket stuffed full of colourful flowers such as fuschias and lobelias. Perfect for an English pub garden.

An unashamed display of trailing fuchsia in a hanging basket. Photo: Pinterest

For indoors, a retro revival is the macrame or crochet hanging basket such as this plant hanger from Modern Macrame. Slip the potted plant inside the knotted rope hanger – make sure the pot is attractive too. Most hangers of this style allow two or three plants to be stacked on top of each other and even small or low-level plants can be used to add height to an interior scheme.

Macrame plant hanger for trailing plants

Even small plants can add height using a plant hanger.

Trailing plants on shelves

Shelves will allow you to show the length of any trailing plant off to its maximum effect. In this display, the long, graceful plants balance the boxiness of the small display shelves. The trailing leaves break up the structured lines of the boxes. The images of the still life and green bird all contribute to the botanical theme.

Trailing plants on display box shelves

Here, the Hotel Armour use a dense display of trailing and upright plants to create a rich and vibrant look. The trailing leaves from one shelf spill over the plants on the shelf below. The display uses only a few varieties of plants and only foliage to slightly tame this otherwise wild look.

Trailing plants as living wall artificial plants

Hotel Amour creates their take on a living wall using selves and trailing plants. Photo by LostNCheeseland on Flickr

Window boxes

Trailing plants in an old-school window box

Get the look with Floresy products

Floresy stock a wide selection of plants suitable for creating a hanging display. Products, such as this Ivy or Hedera, is a great choice for a more traditional theme and can be used inside or outside. Floresy makes ivy in two leaf styles – this long green 130cm product as shown below – or a white/green variegated leaf ivy.

long green ivy artificial plant trailing plant by Floresy

Artificial long green trailing ivy 130cm by Floresy

Succulents are very on trend. Try smaller plants in a hanging display such as these succulents in dark grey pots. These would work well in a contemporary or understated interior theme because of their neutral asthetic.

artificial succulents mix in dark grey pot

Artificial succulent mix in contemporary dark grey pots

A popular choice of trailing plant to display on a shelf is this variety of succulent. The Schlumbergera Truncata Floresy plant product comes in white ceramic pots and is the perfect length to add to an existing shelf because it isn’t too long. They will look great as a display at a reception desk area.

Succulent in ceramic pot cactus

This trailing succulent is known as the ‘fishhook’ plant or banana vine however its Latin name is Senecio radicans. Its tangle of leaves works well in any botanical theme whereas its length is perfect for display on a shelf or suspended.

Artificial succulent plant trailing plant banana vine

Artificial succulent fishhook or banana vine by Floresy

Floresy Products, Trends

Houseplant trend continues with IKEA display at Chelsea

The houseplant trend continues as the RHS Chelsea Flower Show hosted IKEA’s home office display at this year’s show. The stand in the Discovery area of the Pavillion was a collaboration between IKEA and Indoor Garden Design.

Chelsea flower show houseplants ikea display

Houseplants galore at IKEA’s home office display at this year Chelsea flower show. Photograph: IKEA

The display is entitled “Plant Works” is set in an open-plan home office that includes a desk and meeting area. The objective is to show how we can create healthier and greener environments for our workspaces and not just our homes.

Naturally, the design is scandi-fantastic with clean lines, crisp whites and cool greys all allowing ‘green’ to dominate. The room is open and informal that creates a relaxed and creative atmosphere. Every conceivable space is used for planting: the desktops and surfaces display a collection of small potted ficus and Sansevieria. There are floor-standing plants of differing sizes including palms, ferns and cacti. The wall-mounted floating shelves house variegated-leaved alocasia and neat rows of phalaenopsis orchids and Bromeliaceae. One of IKEA’s peg-board style storage solutions has miniature plants stuffed into little pockets and pots. Plants are hanging from the ceiling and they are even under the wire-framed side tables.

Houseplant trend continues with this orchid arrangement in moss. Photograph: IKEA

Small succulent houseplant in white ceramic pot

No space is too small, no plant is too small. Photograph: IKEA

This is the second collaboration at Chelsea for IKEA and Indoor Garden Design. In 2017, their display was called ‘At home with plants’ and showcased how to use plants in bedrooms, living rooms and in bathrooms. The display featured many houseplants still riding high on this ‘outdoors indoors’ trend such as the monstera deliciosa and beautiful peace lily or Spathiphyllum. This year’s ‘Plant Works’ continues what IKEA and Indoor Garden Design started in 2017.

Plants for living not just living rooms

Plant Works isn’t only about plants. It also contained information on the science behind how plants help boost our productivity and well-being. The scheme is really a champion of biophilic design and how it’s application creates a healthy and happy space for humans to exist in.

As the millennial generation becomes the dominant demographic in the workforce, so too do we see an increase in their work-environment preferences. Open, collaborative spaces, communal areas and desks and workstations that baulk tradition. But we are also seeing an increase in freelancers and the self-employed who’s homes are also their workplaces.

So the lines between work and living are blurred – or should that read ‘softened’ by some well-placed foliage?

Get the look

As the houseplant trend continues so does Floresy’s offerings of high-quality artificial house plants. Faux plants are a great option for office areas as their greenery adds productivity and creativity whilst their super-low-maintenance keeps your overheads down too. So consider choosing artificial office plants for your workstation as well.

Miniature high-quality ficus bonsai by Floresy

artificial plant floor-standing cycas palm

Artificial Cycas Palm Plant 100 cm by Floresy

Bespoke green sansevieria in a grey planter by Floresy

Artificial death valley cactus succulent by Floresy

Artificial orchids by Floresy

The above modern orchid arrangement will add peace and class to your setting. Perfect for a reception desk or other client-facing areas.

These succulents arranged in moss in white pots are perfect for a desktop, restaurant table or even the corporate bathrooms.

Mixed artificial succulents in moss by Floresy

For more information on our extensive range of products for both indoors and outdoors, please visit our shop.

Floresy Products, Trends

4 (and a half) Plants with Big Leaves

As we increasingly bring nature into our interiors, foliage is set to be an ongoing trend. So plants with big leaves are popular as they add a big dollop of green in one dose. Plants with big leaves can be clustered with other plants for a tropical or sumptuous feel. However, they can also stand alone and still have an impact. Big leaves are often unfussy and simple therefore give the plant a clean and uncluttered look. This means they suit many modern interiors especially those tending towards minimalism.

There are many choices of indoor plants with big leaves, ranging from trees to the humble houseplant. Here is our guide to some popular options for your interiors.

1. Plants with Big Leaves – Ficus

Fig trees or Ficus come in a wide variety of leaf and trunk variations. They are relatively easy to care for which makes them a popular indoor tree (although they are also known for losing their leaves). The beauty of using a tree over a bushier plant is the floor space remains more open and keeps the room feeling less cluttered.

A pair of big-leaved Ficus in the hallway. Design by Sarah Baynes.

A popular choice from Floresy is this big-leaved ficus with green/white variegated leaves.

Premium Big White-Green Leaves Ficus

2. Anthurium

At first glance, the wet-looking, flesh-red of the anthurium flower suggests this plant could be a carnivore. It isn’t. It’s just a very distinctive houseplant with super-shiny leaves and a long-lasting ‘flowers’. The red part is actually a modified leaf or ‘bract’. It’s the yellow/white spike that contains spirals of tiny, densely-packed flowers.

Anthuriums are native to the Americas and so they have a vibrant, tropical feel. They are a great choice if you want plants with big leaves on a smaller surface such as desk or shelf. They come in a variety of colours ranging from white through a variety of pinks. But the most common is the blood red.

Anthurium with it’s distinctive red flowers.

Whilst the natural form of Anthuriums have fantastic air-purifying abilities, they are also poisonous. To avoid this toxic issue, you could consider an artificial anthurium such as this one from Floresy.

Anthurium by Floresy has large, tactile waxy leaves.

3. Alocasia Calidora

Nothing says “Hello, I’m a plant with big leaves” like an Alocasia. One of the bigger-leafed varieties is nickname ‘elephant ears’ for obvious reasons. These impressive plants need a bright position to thrive indoors so are best suited to sunny rooms and conservatories. Rooms with skylights are also suitable due to the increased light available.

Alocasia plants with big leaves interiors

Something witty or observational about Alocasia Calidora

Alocasia varieties include those with variegated leaves such as this artificial option from Floresy:

alocasia plants with big leaves foliage display

Big, but not that big…

Alocasias are a fantastic choice for any interior. Available in a range of sizes, they are effectively design-neutral and so will fit into any decor. This classic, mid-green, wide-leafed artificial Alocasia by Floresy will bring fresh foliage to any room.

alocasia calidora plants with big leaves indoor foliage artificial plants

Artificial Alocasia Calidora in various sizes

4. Peace lily

The peace lily or spathiphyllum is an elegant and attractive plant that is a perfect choice for a desk or sunny windowsill. Being a smaller plant than some of the others on this list, it’s leaves aren’t as big. But their shape and texture are certainly evocative of the Alocasia. Like the Anthurium, they have a modified leaf that enhances the size of the delicate white flowers.

Peace Lily Indoor Plants with big leaves

Sergeant Angel’s favourite plant

artificial Spathiphyllum peace lily for interiors

Artificial peace lily by Floresy. Small, but with leaves that punch above their weight.

4.5. Rubber Tree Plant

Here’s the half:

The rubber tree is a really only a variety of the Ficus that features above. The clue is in its Latin name: Ficus Elastica. It is known for it’s large, dark green leaves and is a design icon of 1970’s interiors. Despite its groovy heritage, it has actually featured in our interiors since the Victorian era.

The rubber tree is at home in 1970’s interiors as it is any contemporary setting.

The rubber tree plant looks great in the sunny rooms with rattan furniture, as shown above in this image from Guiade Jardineria. Equally, this big-leaf plant will suit a dark and moody Victorian gentleman’s study (so great if you’re into Steampunk). If your setting does suffer from low natural light-levels, however, an artificial rubber tree from Floresy is a good solution.

Artificial rubber tree plant with big leaves by Floresy.

Floresy stock a wide range of plants with big leaves plus some plants with more delicate leaves too. Visit our shop to view our extensive range.