Urban homes have little space available hence why you need indoor gardening ideas if you want a chance to reconnect with nature. Gardening in small spaces is all about frugality and smart design. It requires creativity and ample care. From simple terrariums and step gardens to potted plants and herb gardens, this is a collection of ideas for those who wish to live a greener lifestyle.

A Collection of Plants

We’ll start with an irresistible image of an interior from the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona Hotel. Do you want a grand garden effect in your indoor space? Scatter large planters throughout the room, and fill them with tropical greenery. Potted palms and ferns make a big statement. For an extra touch, sprinkle some hanging planters throughout the room. Note how the green plants below look stunning against the white palette.

We now turn our attention to  Tend, which offers customers everything from container gardening items to interiorscaping services. In the image below, a photograph of a residential design project, a horizontal planter makes a wonderful “gardening bed” for a collection of three long-leafed plants.

Tend also offers Golly Pods, ceramic planters created in collaboration with designer Jason Lane. They have an other-worldly look, and they are particularly striking when grouped, as shown below. There’s nothing like a freestanding garden, especially when the containers are this interesting:

Another residential project by Tend showcases tall potted plants. A similar planter style unifies the greenery, and placing the plants on either side of floor-to-ceiling glass doors makes the transition from room to room a visually smooth one:

A windowsill garden is ideal for growing herbs that need plenty of light. For a vintage look, use tea caddies as planters. A full tutorial can be found at Apartment Therapy.

Vertical gardens are a current design obsession, and there are indoor options for those with bright spaces. If you don’t want to create your vertical garden from scratch, check out the Modular Green Wall from Hercs, shown below:

For a DIY version of the indoor garden, use a recycled palette and fill the cracks with the plants of your choice. Check out the helpful tutorial from Fern Richardson of Life on the Balcony. [via Design Sponge]

Potted Succulent Arrangements

Succulents make great indoor plants. Note only are there many interesting varieties to choose from, they can be combined in a planter to create a visually stunning arrangement that brings modern charm to a light-filled space. While typically low-maintenance, succulents can be a challenge to keep alive at times, so check with your local nursery for maintenance tips. Below, a planter filled with succulents takes center stage in a residential design project by Tend:

The small scale of succulents makes them ideal for indoor gardening. Don’t hesitate to make your potted succulent arrangement a true work of art, Add shells, rocks and other items of interest for a one-of-a-kind creation. [from Big Red Sun]

As you can see, when it comes to succulent arrangement, the sky is the limit. Add glass balls, rocks, driftwood and other eye-catching baubles to make your succulent garden a true plantscape! [from Big Red Sun]

Or make your succulent garden part of a tabletop arrangement, incorporating both artwork and decor into the vignette. [from Big Red Sun]

Since succulents love light, what better way to incorporate them into your space than by crafting a windowbox planter using an aluminum gutter and letting the plants reign? A full DIY can be found at Shelterness.

Sometimes an assortment of individual succulents in pots can create the perfect indoor garden. In the image below, pastel containers are the ideal complement to succulents in shades of jade, mint and rose. [from Design Your Revolution]

For a floor-to-ceiling indoor garden effect, try placing succulent arrangements on shelves and interspersing them with decor items, such as vases and sculptural spheres. [from Big Red Sun]

Terrariums

We couldn’t end our indoor gardening article without spotlighting the latest verdant design phenomenon: terrariums. While once reserved for grade school science projects or gardening endeavors for the most devoted of enthusiasts, terrariums are now mainstream in their appeal. Artisans are adding quirky elements to their terrarium creations, such as figurines and one-of-a-kind finds from nature. The succulent terrarium below is from a previous Decoist article on Decorating With Houseplants–check it out!  [details at Mini Manor]

While a terrarium is a mini garden within a glass container (sometimes open and sometimes closed), the garden effect is heightened by grouping a series of terrariums in the window, as shown below. If you look even closer, you’ll notice plastic dinosaur toys in these creations! [design details at Two Straight Lines]

Another row of terrariums can be seen in the next image, which shows the successful use of container uniformity and plant diversity. [from Tend]

Twig has taken the terrarium world by storm, creating true mini worlds (complete with miniature people) within stylish glass containers. These humorous and clever scenes have taken terrarium building to a new level. For design inspiration or to purchase your own terrarium, shop online or check out Twig’s offerings in select Brooklyn stores.

For a mini garden that seems to float through the air, consider a hanging terrarium. Compact and ultra modern, these selections from Tend are perfect for rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows:

We end with a giant terrarium from Emmanuelle Moureaux Architecture + Design via Home Insides. What better way to bring the outdoors in?!:

Are you seeing green yet? The images above are proof that no space is too small for an indoor garden. Keep it simple with a few potted plants, or go large scale with a vertical garden. Most importantly, be prepared for some trail-and-error experimenting. Don’t be discouraged if certain plants thrive while others struggle. If at first you don’t succeed, try again, and remember that the unique conditions of your space will create a great home for some lucky collection of plants…

You're reading Indoor Gardening Ideas to Beautify Your Space, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Looking for an easy design refresh for summer? Say it with stripes! There are few things more crisp and refreshing. Not to mention, stripes instantly channel a vacation vibe. Keep reading as we feature this season’s favorite striped textiles, rugs and accessories, organized by color scheme. Don’t resist the urge to lounge by the pool while browsing… [below: H&M Home’s Cotton Beach Towels]

The New Blue and White

Blue and white stripes have a timeless, classic look. The “new blue and white” builds on this universal appeal while adding elements of minimalism and laid-back style. Urban Outfitters’ Washed Cotton Striped Tassel Sham Set does both of these things, featuring a thin stripe that creates a less-is-more look, then topping it all off with tassels:

More tassels and stripes adorn this Moroccan Full/Queen Blanket, woven by Moroccan artisans. As stated in the product description, “Classic blue stripes and alternating blue and white pom poms go with just about anything and always look fresh.” We couldn’t agree more!

Not only does Zara Home’s Striped Double-Weave Cotton Towel look splendid when unfolded, it evokes a chill, resort hotel vibe when neatly folded, thanks to its blue fringe edges.

Looking for a refreshing take on blue and white stripes? Try incorporating an indigo rug with a unique design! CB2’s Verso Indigo Blue Striped Rug is created through the dabu process, which involves the application of pattern with a clay mixture applied by wood blocks. Before all is said and done, the rug is dipped into an indigo pit. Learn more about the process (and get purchasing info) here.

Ready for blue and white stripes with a touch of retro glam? Let your imagination sail away on a design-fabulous yacht with this Cotton Satin Cushion Cover from H&M Home. We’re loving the use of red, combined with stripes of varying widths:

The cushion cover above beautifully coordinates with this Cotton Percale Pillowcase, which is timeless and minimalist at the same time. Nautical style reigns, neatly trimmed by narrow piping along the edges:

Minimalist Black and White

Black and white is the perfect color scheme for minimalist stripe patterns. After all, there’s power in combining the darkest of darks and the lightest of lights. This Pinstripe Natural and Black Placemat from CB2 will add a relaxed vibe to your tabletop. Not to mention, it will go with everything!

Bring a global hotel vibe to your powder room with CB2’s Raya Black and White Striped Towels. With a striped pattern on the front and solid white terrycloth on the back, these towels are both universally stylish and comfy:

When your decor doubles as storage, you know you’ve struck design gold. This Mojave Striped Basket from Crate & Barrel in available in medium and large sizes. Recycled plastic bottles are the materials of choice, and you can use this basket to hold everything from magazines to potted plants. Plus, it’s durable enough to be used both indoors and outside!

Nautical style is a great fit for kids’ rooms, especially when a rope handle is involved. Crate & Barrel’s Stripes Around Black Cube Bin is available in five different colors. We’re partial to classic black and cream:

For stripes with a stylish twist, check out this Archive New York Black and White Antigua Pillow, available through Anthropologie. Super-soft cotton: check. An interesting take on black and white stripes: check. Tassels: the icing on the cake!

Bring on the Color

We end today’s post on a colorful note. It’s what happens when stripes become vibrant! Yellow is a popular color for radiant stripe patterns, and it’s hard to get more vivid than this Yellow Stripe Print Flat Sheet from Zara Home, which features an ombré yellow striped design:

Golden yellow shines brightly on Pier 1’s Yellow Striped 72″ Table Runner, which will bring summer style to your tabletop all season long:

Golden yellow combines with cotton canvas and tassels on Urban Outfitters’ Ivy Fringe Striped Throw Pillow. This piece puts a modern-boho spin on striped decor, all the while adding comfort to the room of your choice:

There’s something delicate yet colorful about these Lightly Striped Baby Blankets from Crate & Barrel. Get them while they’re on clearance and enjoy a touch of summer style in your nursery:

Last but not least, we shine the spotlight on Urban Outfitters’ Texture Stripe Planters, which feature peachy lines and a big dose of whimsy. When stripes meet houseplants, there’s nothing more summery and verdant. Not to mention, the designers of these speckled pots even included a helpful drainage hole at the base.

We hope today’s post has inspired you with a range of striped patterns. Cheers to the power of crisp lines, and thanks for reading!

You're reading Seeing Stripes: Crisp Textile Patterns for Summer, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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One trick to make a small room seem larger is to use mirrors. Adding mirrors to small interiors gives a cheerful and spacious vibe, and spread light evenly in an organic fashion. Today we take a look at how you can tap into this power of mirrors with ease. Step in for an easy and instant home upgrade with plenty of dazzle!

The mirror knows some of our deepest, sincerest secrets and our mirror image has been our best friend through many stages of our continuously changing bodies and personalities, despite our deep probing questions never being successfully answered to the trivia of who’s fairest of all. And while we would never want the mirror to visually enlarge or expand our bodies (unless it’s muscle mass), but it can make a small living room seem larger than life! Oh yeah baby!

Do mirrors make a room bigger?

If you have ever been through a house of mirrors you encounter a futuristic world where human cloning is the norm. Everywhere you look as you walk down the halls of this house with your friends are optical illusions that trick your eye and your mind into seeing way more of you than there is. This theory translates very well and positively when adapted to our homes…in a less freaky way, of course.

A mirror can do three things for us when strategically implemented in our home décor.

• Brighten Things Up — The sun will be illuminated and catch the silvery reflection from sunup to sundown

• Liven Things Up — A mirror is no longer just a slab of silvered glass; they are artistic engineered designs that can often replace our other mundane and expected ornamentation. There is a reason the term gilded and mirror often go hand in hand

• Broaden Things Up — Create the optical illusion of more space by correct placement. You can easily make a room seem twice its size thus allowing for more elbowroom.

 The Sun is Always Shining: Brightening things Up

Mirrors automatically reflect natural and artificial light, and by catching the sunlight at its best you can amplify on the natural light. This will brighten the atmosphere up in your home notably aiding you by bouncing light in hidden haunted corners making them seem harmlessly large. To release this magic within your four walls hang your mirror in such a way that it faces or is angled from your natural light source, -window, door, sunroof- to fully capture the light and spread its warm goodness in your room.

The House of Mirrors: Livening Things Up

Place a large wall mirror on the wall against an adjoining room where the party often is. If you know people are mingling on the opposite side of the room, when you glance up and see a reflection of bodies mingling in your room you will trick your mind for a few seconds into thinking the wall was taken out and replaced with one long extended group hall. By doing this you will create the effect an interrogation room does with it’s one way glass walls but hopefully your room will encompass more joy than the good cop bad cop routine that takes place in the this maximized security room.

Bigger is Better: Broadening Things Up

Flow is a good thing in a room. It represents a clutter free approach to life and relaxation. A good way to associate this idealism in your room and help to broaden things up is by using furniture with mirrored panels or doors. Glass or silvery tabletops will also contribute to the open flow vibe and as always hanging mirrors. Leaning them on a mantle pieces, or above your wet bar, it instinctively will make you feel you are in a room of more open spaces as mirror reflects and shares rather than captures like a cherry cabinet panel would.

To keep this river of mirrors flowing maintain a habit of cleaning them to keep them to their crystal clear perfection. Next throw a big house party to test the waters. You’ll find the rumor mill buzzing with tales that the house of mirrors is now located at your address!

You're reading Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Make my Room Seem Largest of All, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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