9 Pack More Plants into Your Home

Space-Saving Ways to Fit More Plants 

If you live by the motto “there’s no such thing as too many plants,” you might sometimes find yourself getting a new green man — and then struggling to find space for him in your already lush home. However, lack of space doesn’t have to limit your green thumb! There are plenty of ways to add more plants to the mix without overwhelming your home. You just have to think vertically. Displaying plants on wall shelves, hanging them from the ceiling, and placing them on room dividers are all smart ways to keep your plants from completely swallowing up your floor space. Even better, sometimes storing plants vertically means they get more light. Check out these nine smart, space-saving ways to display plants so you can go even greener in your home.

1. Opt for a backless bookcase

Why not break up the open layout with a backless bookcase filled with plants? This L.A. That’s what the renters did to separate their bedroom from their living room, and they filled a room divider that’s almost to the ceiling with all the plant babies. This unit makes the most of vertical space, saving space in a small loft. Plus, it gives these renters multiple surfaces for plants with plenty of sunlight access, and it makes the entire loft feel airy and bright.

2. Display them on wall-mounted shelves

Wall shelves are a great space-saving option no matter what you’re trying to display. Thanks to the plethora of options on the market, you’ll have no problem finding some that suit your style. The shelves in this Berlin apartment accommodate about a dozen additional plants, along with a few other decorations, without taking up floor space or countertop surfaces. Hanging plants and wall-mounted pots also provide additional spaces for greenery.

3. Use a useless staircase (if you have one)

I know, I know — most people don’t have a set of stairs that lead anywhere. But if you do, you should follow the lead of these Chicago condo owners and fill yours with plants. Before moving in, a fire destroyed their private deck, rendering these stairs useless. Instead of tearing them down, they used them as a shelving unit for all their plants. It keeps their greenery out of the way, but still on display — and in full sun. The same idea works even if you don’t have a full staircase. Try leaning a tall ladder-style shelf against a wall and filling it with plants. It has the same effect and takes up less space than placing all your plants side by side on the floor.

4. Hang them directly from the ceiling

If you really want to go vertical with your plants, look up. Your ceiling is a great place to add some more natural touches. The ceilings in this Philadelphia loft have exposed wood beams, and these renters use their pipes to hang plants throughout the room. It keeps their floors and walls from looking too cluttered, and the hanging plants act as a nice contrast to the dark beams and exposed brick. I also love the kitchen cutout here — and its edge has become another spot for plants.

5. Repurpose a clothes rack

Studio dwellers, this one’s for you. This NYC renter turned a clothes rack into a room divider that breaks up the bedroom and living room in her tiny studio. The plants behind it act as a “wall” without making the small space feel enclosed, and the thin, tall fixture doesn’t take up any floor space. Bonus: It’s super cheap to build.

6. Store them on your top shelves

It may seem strange to store glassware, pantry items and other kitchen items in your living room, but when you live in a small space, you have to get creative. This Melbourne couple placed a large shelving unit against their living room wall, giving them plenty of essential storage space, but then they used the top of the unit to display the plants behind them. The greenery helps to bridge the gap between the living room and kitchen, and since the plants sit so high, they have a nice view of the items below. There is plenty of room to close them without causing any mess.

7. Put some on the window ledge

When it comes to windows, the general rule is to never close them, but it’s not always a hard and fast rule. You can definitely get away with putting a shelf across a window to store plants, especially if your windows are floor-to-ceiling like the one in this Brooklyn apartment. A long shelf sits high against the window and holds a dozen medium-sized plants, adding vertical color to the room. Even cooler — these renters decided to hang plants from their drapery rod, too, which is a really clever use of this feature.

8. Create a living wall with hanging planters, if you can

We’ve already seen some small wall planters used, but this unique vertical plant wall takes that idea even further. Rammed earth covers the dining room wall of this Australian home, acting as a natural backdrop for all sorts of greenery. Mounting planters on the wall creates a soothing, floating look that keeps plants away from the hustle and bustle of the room. A living wall like this is always a good idea, as long as you have enough bandwidth to maintain and maintain it.

9. Treat your plants like a wall divider

Another example of a shelf plant storage that doubles as an airy wall divider, the DIY tiered shelves in this Chicago home provide a subtle separation between the living room and dining room. The couple who rented the house built the shelves with floor-to-ceiling poles, which allows the bottom of the divider to be open and the shelves to be set high.