1. Modern - The Bird of Paradise

2. Scandinavian - The Pilea Peperomiodes

3. Eclectic- The Dracaena Compacta

4. Farmhouse- The Bird’s Nest Fern

5. Mid-Century Modern - The Fiddle Leaf Fig

6. Industrial - The Cast Iron Plant

7. Vintage - The Cascading Pothos

Finding the perfect plant for your space can be tough. Apart from the practical side of things like light and upkeep, what will complement your style and taste?

At Léon & George we believe that any living greenery can drastically improve living spaces, but of course we can get specific when looking at different styles. From eclectic to modern and everything in between, check out our plant stylists’ recommendations below for the best plants for every type of living room decor!

Modern

It’s no wonder that this living room features the big, beautiful foliage of the Bird of Paradise. This plant is a common choice for more modern styles thanks to its striking large leaves, which can easily compete with the other often dominating pieces of contemporary decor.

Shop the Bird of Paradise →

Scandinavian

Scandinavian interior design is all about bringing nature indoors, and quite literally any living plant complements the simple, functional elements of this style. We chose the Pilea Peperomiodes, as this plant has strong Scandinavian roots and its quirky round leaves add a touch of flair to an otherwise neutral palette.

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Eclectic

Is there anything that doesn’t fit into an eclectic living room? The beauty of eclectic living spaces is the flexibility they offer in decorating, and virtually any plant will complement and even pull together the colorful and diverse pieces. Our plant stylists chose the Dracaena Compacta for its whimsical, quirky style, but the funky Monstera Deliciosa or the Zanzibar Gem would also make great choices.

Shop The Dracaena Compacta →

Farmhouse

Ferns make great additions to more classic looks that come with rustic farmhouse styles. Bright green leaves pop against different woods and shades of tan and brown. Looking for something bigger? Try a Fiddle Leaf Fig whose structural beauty will add some definition to the style’s softness.

Shop the Bird’s Nest Fern →

Mid-Century Modern

It may seem like the Fiddle Leaf Fig only recently came into the spotlight, but huge versions of this tree begin to pop up in living rooms across the country in the 60s and 70s, not long after MCM made its worldwide debut. This tall, structural plant adds height and dimension to spaces that often come with plenty of low to the ground pieces, though there are plenty of different plants that accentuate this look.

Shop the Fiddle Leaf Fig →

Industrial

Could there be a more fitting plant for an industrial space than the Cast Iron? Not just for the name either. These spaces often tend to be on the colder side, so going for something ultra leafy and lush is key to creating a welcoming space. We also love trailing plants for shelving units in high ceilings, like the Cascading Pothos.

Shop the Cast Iron Plant →

Vintage

Elegant and romantic, vintage spaces don’t need a lot of greenery to make an impact. The long tendrils of the Cascading Pothos mimic the soft flowing lines of the other elements in a vintage space. Ferns also look beautiful in vintage-inspired spaces, as does the adorable Parlor Palm which was popular during the Victorian era.

Shop the Cascading Pothos →

Credit: The Craftr, Suzanne Kleitzien, Jennifer Robin Interiors, Houzz, AR3D, Kuoo Architects, & A+B Kasha

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The sculptural Snake Plant is one of our most popular plants for dimmer spaces. Photo by @saltier

Looking to brighten that dark room in your home?You’ve come to the right place! We work with light-challenged individuals all the time to bring the darkest rooms and corners of their home or office to life. Because let’s be real: as much as we’d love to have big, bright spaces in every area of our home, the reality is that many of us are light-challenged in one way or another! Maybe your new home doesn’t have as many windows as your last, or your trendy office is essentially a concrete cube. Windowless bathroom? Dim hallway? We’ve all been there before.

But low-light rooms can be just as beautiful as their brighter counterparts, if you know how to style them of course! Read our tips on how to either embrace or overcome a room with little to no natural light.

How to brighten your space

Even if you don’t have much natural light to work with you can still create a space that feels light and airy. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your space feel brighter:

• Layer whites - white reflects light, making a room feel both lighter and more spacious. Try painting your walls warm shades of white, or the ceiling a bright matte white. Look for lighter pieces of furniture or accents, layering shades of white and beige.

• Use mirrors strategically - it’s no secret that mirrors also reflect light. Create a bit more of it with a beautiful mirror you love, placed just so that it reflects any light coming in.

• Utilize layered lighting - a single overhead light is not going to cut it for a low-light space. Try creating layered, diffused lighting with various heights and shapes of lamps. And while we’re on the topic, use light lampshades with translucent material (i.e. linen) so that light is gently defused versus blocked.

• Streamline the furniture - go for minimal pieces and avoid ornate or chunky furniture. Select pieces that allow light to pass through or under them, like ghost chairs or sofas with a bit of space below them.

Embracing the Darkness

Sometimes the best thing you can do in a dim room is embrace its moodiness:

• Use bold colors and patterns - deeply rich and dark hues (and wallpapers!) can be beautiful in already-dark spaces.

• Invest in statement lighting - instead of using layered lighting having one or two statement lighting fixtures will create shadows. Shadows can be alluring when styled just right. 

• Be a maximalist - in a dimly lit space it can be harder for pieces to stand out. Use bold accent items like brass mirrors or lush velvet fabrics that will stand out from their surroundings. 

Tips for Using Plants in Low-Light Spaces

Indoor plants do wonders for any space, but maybe even more so for the darker areas of our home. Here are a few of our plant stylists’ tips on decorating low-light areas with houseplants:

• Find plants that won’t miss the light - Contrary to what you might think, many plants can do just fine in a low-light setting! Do keep in mind that you will water them very infrequently, and consider using a artificial light source for truly pitch-dark spaces.

• Go for brighter foliage - plants with bright green or lighter hues (think the Snake Plant or Little Hope) will pop in darker spaces. Alternatively, go for deeper greens if you’re embracing the moodiness! Plants with dark green foliage like the Zanzibar Gem or Cast Iron will give a more jungle feel.

• Invest in statement greenery - when it comes to bringing a dim or dull space to life, a little bit goes a long way with a large floor plant. Invest in just a few plants, at least one that’s large and draws the eye, versus cluttering the spaces with multiple small plants.

The Best Low Light Indoor Plants 

Ready to improve your space? Here are some of the best low-light houseplants that can survive and even thrive with minimal natural or artificial light:

• Zanzibar Gem - the emerald-green wands of the ZZ Gem as it’s commonly called are nearly indestructible nature. It can withstand low light and neglectful watering habits. 

• Snake Plant - this large succulent can adapt to just about any environment and also requires little to no maintenance.

• Parlor Palm - is a hardy plant that infuses a tropical atmosphere into its surroundings. 

• Cast Iron - the name says it all: this plant is indestructible and does well in dark, humid, and drafty spaces.

Check out our full collection of low light plants, and give your space the love and attention it deserves!

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The sculptural Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush is the perfect plant for small living rooms.

Decorating a small living room can be a real challenge. From tight corners to limited lay-out options, every inch counts when it comes to small spaces. And unfortunately for many a city-dweller, more often than not we are dealing with less space than we’d hope for!

Luckily there are loads of resources to navigate decorating a small living room (thanks, Pinterest!), and just because you have limited space does not mean you can’t enjoy the beauty and benefits of indoor plants! Below are our plant stylist’s favorite picks for plants that work well for small living rooms, plus extra tips for making the most of them.

Go for height

And avoid bushiness, especially if you are looking at floor plants. If all goes well (and we hope it does!), your indoor plants will grow. Make sure you are prepared for that by opting for plants that remain relatively contained to the width of their pots — both you and your plant will appreciate the extra space.

Pro tip: The Snake Plant is one of the best indoor plants for tight spaces with its narrow, structural shape. And don’t be fooled by the word “bush” in its name — the Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush is also a great indoor plant that maintains its shape over time thanks to the support of discrete bamboo stakes that keep the plant centered and erect.

Grouping plants is a great way to decorate small living rooms with greenery, and plants like the Monstera Deliciosa and Lady Palm make a the perfect pair.

Create Groupings

Want a touch of jungle but afraid you don’t have the space? Much like you would designate a corner to a chair or other piece of furniture, create a small corner for a grouping of plants. This can have a big impact without making your space feel cluttered or claustrophobic. Start with something on the taller side, and then layer around it with smaller plants of differing foliage and shades of green. Use plant stands to elevate, always work in odd numbers (trust us — it works!), and tastefully create the perfect plant grouping.

Pro Tip: Just three plants is enough to make a simple yet eye-catching plant grouping. One of our favorite combinations is a Fiddle Leaf Fig, a Snake Plant, and a Jade Pothos — the perfect combination of varying colors and textures!

Make use of trailing foliage

If you’re decorating a small living room, odds are you’ve scoped out different shelving solutions. Make space on your shelves for a trailing plant like the Cascading Pothos — this plant grows very quickly and, if desired, will green up an entire shelving unit over time! You can place the growing vines around different areas of the shelf, or simply let it drape down from the shelf or a hanging planter.

Pro Tip: Want to decorate a wall with greenery? Use pins to prop up tendrils of a trailing plant against the wall.

The Fiddle Leaf Fig makes for the ultimate statement plant.

Embrace the statement plant

Sometimes all it takes is one piece of furniture to really transform a space, and in this case, we’re talking about a potted plant. One of the biggest challenges of decorating a small living room is the fine line between cozy and cluttered, and one way to avoid this is by investing in fewer but bigger pieces. Just one large statement plant can truly pull a room together, and also give off the illusion the space is bigger, too.

Pro Tip: If you have the light (they need a lot!), consider a tall, structural beauty like the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. For dimmer spaces, the Dragon Tree is a true head-turner that also functions as a wonderful air-purifier.

How are you decorating your small living room with plants? Let us know in the comments, or tag us on Instagram to show off your space!

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