12 Tricks to Make Your Apartment Feel Like It Has a Garden
Even if you don't have any outdoor space, you can bring garden style inside with these nifty ideas
There are many good things about living in a flat, not least the fact they tend to be more affordable. But one downside can be a lack of outdoor space. If you’re craving a garden or terrace now that the days are growing longer and milder, here are a few ways to cheat and introduce some life-affirming greenery into your abode. Okay, you may not be able to recreate a full-stretch English lawn, complete with water feature and rose garden, but if you’re clever, you can add a lush, leafy atmosphere to any space, however small.
Double up
If you have access to any downstairs exterior space, however miserly, try this. Position potted plants on either side of a window, both indoors and out, to add leafy depth. Even if your window only looks onto a light well, balcony or communal courtyard or alley, it will create the illusion of a secret garden oasis, as your eye is led beyond the glass.
If you have access to any downstairs exterior space, however miserly, try this. Position potted plants on either side of a window, both indoors and out, to add leafy depth. Even if your window only looks onto a light well, balcony or communal courtyard or alley, it will create the illusion of a secret garden oasis, as your eye is led beyond the glass.
Be big and bold
Larger potted plants can be pricey, but it’s often worth making the initial investment. One large variety, like the one on the left here, will make a big impact. A mature plant will also be established and hardy, so will be more likely to survive the odd dry spell. However, always read instructions carefully on how to care for plants, as each species has different watering, lighting, heating and feeding needs.
Larger potted plants can be pricey, but it’s often worth making the initial investment. One large variety, like the one on the left here, will make a big impact. A mature plant will also be established and hardy, so will be more likely to survive the odd dry spell. However, always read instructions carefully on how to care for plants, as each species has different watering, lighting, heating and feeding needs.
Choose botanical wallpaper
If house plants aren’t for you, a simple wall of botanical wallpaper can still bring welcome greenery into an apartment.
This lovely Impressionist-style print features lines of verdant trees for a woodland feel. It may not beat an actual stroll in the forest, but it’s surprisingly uplifting.
If house plants aren’t for you, a simple wall of botanical wallpaper can still bring welcome greenery into an apartment.
This lovely Impressionist-style print features lines of verdant trees for a woodland feel. It may not beat an actual stroll in the forest, but it’s surprisingly uplifting.
Frame a doorway…
Create the impression of a tropical paradise outside a doorway by placing large potted plants just beyond the frame. The result: A tantalising glimpse of foliage, even if the door only leads to your hall, bathroom or a narrow outdoor space.
Create the impression of a tropical paradise outside a doorway by placing large potted plants just beyond the frame. The result: A tantalising glimpse of foliage, even if the door only leads to your hall, bathroom or a narrow outdoor space.
…Or frame a window
Two large leafy plants on either side of a window add a conservatory feel and will ‘green up’ the most urban of flats. Choose varieties with a tree-like shape, the taller the better, and put them in matching pots. Leave windows free of dressings to maximise natural light.
Two large leafy plants on either side of a window add a conservatory feel and will ‘green up’ the most urban of flats. Choose varieties with a tree-like shape, the taller the better, and put them in matching pots. Leave windows free of dressings to maximise natural light.
Bring on the bricks
A garden feel isn’t just about shrubs. This trompe l’oeil wallpaper featuring white bricks creates an instant courtyard feel. Teamed with trendy house plants and ferns, and pale furnishings and accessories, the result is light, bright and outdoorsy.
A garden feel isn’t just about shrubs. This trompe l’oeil wallpaper featuring white bricks creates an instant courtyard feel. Teamed with trendy house plants and ferns, and pale furnishings and accessories, the result is light, bright and outdoorsy.
Boost your balcony
If your flat doesn’t have a garden, but you’re lucky enough to have a balcony, don’t miss the opportunity to fill it with greenery. Choose plants that will thrive in pots and pack as much in as possible. Give it all some structure with evergreen plants, such as bay trees, and add seasonal flowers for colour.
If your flat doesn’t have a garden, but you’re lucky enough to have a balcony, don’t miss the opportunity to fill it with greenery. Choose plants that will thrive in pots and pack as much in as possible. Give it all some structure with evergreen plants, such as bay trees, and add seasonal flowers for colour.
Grass things up
A super solution for a balcony is artificial grass. It will add an uplifting shot of green, and of course there’s no need to mow it. Use it in small areas and add a bright deckchair or two for a fun, summery look. You can even try laying a square of artificial turf indoors near a window, for a mini lawn-cum-rug.
A super solution for a balcony is artificial grass. It will add an uplifting shot of green, and of course there’s no need to mow it. Use it in small areas and add a bright deckchair or two for a fun, summery look. You can even try laying a square of artificial turf indoors near a window, for a mini lawn-cum-rug.
Love a living wall
Living walls or vertical gardens are growing in popularity, and can be used inside as well as out. They have a real wow-factor, providing a ‘sweep’ of foliage that feels modern, arty and fresh.
Get professional advice on which plants to choose, and how best to care for them, so your wall continues to thrive.
Check out these reasons to have a living wall
Living walls or vertical gardens are growing in popularity, and can be used inside as well as out. They have a real wow-factor, providing a ‘sweep’ of foliage that feels modern, arty and fresh.
Get professional advice on which plants to choose, and how best to care for them, so your wall continues to thrive.
Check out these reasons to have a living wall
Hang some pots
If a full-on living wall feels like too much work, go for the dialled-down version. Wall-mounted plant pots can add some refreshing colour to an otherwise plain scheme. Hanging several of them, as seen here, gives a great effect. They don’t need to be fancy either – simple spiders, ferns and ivy plants all look good.
If a full-on living wall feels like too much work, go for the dialled-down version. Wall-mounted plant pots can add some refreshing colour to an otherwise plain scheme. Hanging several of them, as seen here, gives a great effect. They don’t need to be fancy either – simple spiders, ferns and ivy plants all look good.
Up in the air
If you’ve noticed funny little plants suspended in glass bubbles and ceramic pots in lifestyle stores, then you’ve noticed the trend for air plants. These can grow and survive without the need for soil, though they still need moisture and plant food, as well as constant air circulation. Try creating a cool architectural display like this one for a futuristic garden effect – the dark walls really set it off.
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Tell us:
Have you created a garden feel in your flat? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
If you’ve noticed funny little plants suspended in glass bubbles and ceramic pots in lifestyle stores, then you’ve noticed the trend for air plants. These can grow and survive without the need for soil, though they still need moisture and plant food, as well as constant air circulation. Try creating a cool architectural display like this one for a futuristic garden effect – the dark walls really set it off.
Read more:
How to Live With Plants
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
Tell us:
Have you created a garden feel in your flat? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
One of the things those without gardens often miss is simply enjoying a leafy view from the inside. However, curating a line of potted plants near a large window can provide a ‘green fix’.
Pick a variety of different-shaped foliage for a lush, garden-like feel, and don’t forget to include blooms. Put potted flowers high up on shelves and cut flowers on tables to weave in pretty shots of colour.