Bringing the Urban Jungle to Your Home: Incorporating Sustainable Living into Your Decor

As the world becomes more conscious of the impact we have on the planet, sustainable living and interior design trends like "cottagecore" are on the rise. While not everyone can move to an off-grid farm, there are still ways to incorporate elements of sustainable living into your home decor. One trend that has been gaining popularity on social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr is the urban jungle. This trend involves bringing the outdoors in by incorporating a variety of plants into your home decor. Not only does it add a touch of nature to your space, but it also has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental well-being.

Contents

• History of the Indoor Plant
• Selecting the Right Plants
• Incorporating Plants into Different Styles of Decor
• Tips for Proper Plant Care and Maintenance
• Incorporating Plants into Various Parts of the Home
• Final Thoughts

History of the Indoor Plant

The urban jungle trend, also known as "jungalow" style, has its origins in the 1970s. The trend began as a way to bring a bit of nature into the home, and it has evolved over the decades to include a wide variety of plants and styles. In the 1970s and 1980s, indoor plants were popularized by the "brown thumb" movement, which encouraged people to embrace their lack of gardening skills and still enjoy plants in their homes.

During the 1990s and 2000s, indoor plants became more of a design element, with homeowners opting for large, sculptural plants like fiddle leaf figs and bird of paradise to add visual interest to their spaces. In recent years, the trend has seen a resurgence in popularity, driven in part by the rise of social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, which have made it easier for people to discover and share ideas for incorporating plants into their decor.

The trend has been rebranded as "cottagecore" which is a term that has been used to describe the aesthetic of a rustic, country-style home. It has become a popular trend on TikTok and other social media platforms. Many people are using TikTok to share their ideas and tips on how to create a sustainable, holistic living environment. The trend is becoming more popular as people are looking for ways to reconnect with nature and bring a bit of greenery into their homes.

Overall, the urban jungle trend has evolved over the decades to include a wide variety of plants and styles, and it continues to evolve as more people embrace the benefits of incorporating plants into their home decor. With the rise of social media and the popularity of the "cottagecore" aesthetic, it's clear that this trend is here to stay.

Selecting the Right Plants

When selecting plants for your home, it's important to consider the amount of light the space receives. Low light plants, such as snake plants and pothos, are great for rooms with little natural light, while bright light plants, such as succulents and cacti, thrive in sunny spaces. It's also important to consider the size of the space and the plants you choose, as some plants can grow quite large.

Incorporating Plants into Different Styles of Decor

There are many ways to incorporate plants into your home decor, and the style you choose will depend on your personal preferences and the overall aesthetic of your space. Here are a few ideas for incorporating plants into different styles of decor:

• Minimalist: For a minimalist look, choose a few simple, sculptural plants, such as snake plants or cacti, and place them in simple, modern pots. Display them on a windowsill or on a simple shelving unit.
• Bohemian: For a bohemian look, mix and match different types and sizes of plants, such as ferns, succulents, and hanging plants. Place them in woven baskets, terracotta pots, or macrame hangers. Incorporate other natural elements, such as wood and woven textiles, to complete the look.
• Mid-Century Modern: For a mid-century modern look, choose plants with clean lines and geometric shapes, such as rubber plants and bird of paradise. Place them in simple, clean-lined pots, and display them on sleek, metal shelves or in a corner grouping.
• Industrial: For an industrial look, choose plants with rough, textured leaves, such as succulents and air plants. Place them in simple, unpainted metal containers or industrial-style wall planters. Incorporate other industrial elements, such as exposed brick or metal, to complete the look.

Tips for Proper Plant Care and Maintenance

Taking care of your indoor plants requires a bit of time and effort, but with proper care, they can thrive for many years. Here are a few tips for proper plant care and maintenance:

• Know your plant: Research the specific needs of your plant, such as the amount of light and water it requires. This will help you provide the proper care for your plant.
• Water properly: Overwatering is one of the main causes of indoor plant death. Be sure to let the soil dry out a bit before watering, and don't leave standing water in the saucer.
• Provide adequate light: Make sure your plants are getting the right amount of light for their needs. If a plant is not getting enough light, it will become leggy and weak.
• Fertilize: Fertilize your plants on a regular schedule to provide them with the necessary nutrients to thrive.
• Re-pot: When your plants outgrow their pots, re-pot them in a larger container, but be sure to not over pot them.

Incorporating Plants into Various Parts of the Home

Indoor plants can be incorporated into various parts of your home, including the living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Here are a few ideas for incorporating plants into different parts of your home:

• Living room: Place a large, sculptural plant, such as a fiddle leaf fig or rubber plant, in the corner of the room to add visual interest. Display a grouping of smaller plants, such as succulents or cacti, on a windowsill or coffee table.
• Bedroom: Bring a touch of nature to your bedside with a small, easy-to-care-for plant, such as a snake plant or pothos. Hang a group of air plants or string of pearls from the ceiling for a unique look.
• Bathroom: Incorporate plants into your bathroom decor by placing a small orchid or bromeliad on the windowsill or countertop. Hang a group of ferns or ivy from the ceiling to add a lush, tropical feel.
• Kitchen: Add a touch of greenery to your kitchen by incorporating herbs, such as basil or mint, into your decor. Place small pots of herbs on the windowsill, or hang a group of herb plants from a ceiling rack. Not only do they add a touch of greenery, but they also provide fresh herbs for cooking.

Final Thoughts

Incorporating plants into your home decor not only adds a touch of nature to your space, but it also has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. The urban jungle trend, also known as "cottagecore" is becoming more and more popular. By selecting the right plants and providing proper care and maintenance, you can bring the urban jungle to your home and create a sustainable, holistic living environment.