Plants are perfect home accents for almost any decor. They provide a sense of health and beauty that people instantly gravitate towards, perhaps without even realizing it. The presence of plants, therefore, results in a room that is instantly welcoming.

One of the benefits to using plants in your decorating is that they come in all shapes, sizes and provide color and texture to your decorating scheme. Look for plants that fit the mood of your space such as needle-like cacti for a southwestern decor, African violets for cottage charm or simple greenery for any number of styles.

If you are unsure of how to use plants in your decor, consider the following possibilities:

10 Ways to Decorate with Plants

1) Set them on tabletops as centerpieces or as accents to a vignette.
2) Enhance ordinary green plants by placing them in colorful ceramic pots.
3) Add a row of individual buds in simple glass vases on a fireplace mantel.
4) Set lush plants along your bathtub for a spa-like feel.
5) Place a potted container on every other step along your stairs.
6) Fill your fireplace insert with a bouquet of flowers during warm weather months; alternatively, flank your fireplace with tall potted plants during cold seasons when the fireplace is in use.
7) Create a dish garden for a visual delight using an assortment of miniature plants.
8) Line windows with glass shelves to hold potted plants for a decorative touch where minimal privacy is needed.
9) Repurpose unusual containers to hold your potted plants, like an old silver teapot, small wheelbarrow or wicker picnic basket.
10) Hang a basket of flowering geraniums or begonias in your kitchen or breakfast nook for instant cheer.

Be sure to keep balance and scale in mind when using plants. Tall plants work well next to larger pieces of furniture or architectural accents, whereas a small container can be the perfect touch for an end table. Use them as “fillers” in empty corners or nooks that need a little extra touch. Display them in groups, varying their heights for dimension and depth. Also, just like any other decorative accent, don’t overwhelm your rooms with plants - unless you are purposely going for a green house look, too many plants will hinder your decor.