1. Screen a space for privacy The living room, kitchen and dining area in this home are one open space. It’s great for giving the family a sense of togetherness, but for the times when it’s nice to feel cocooned in the living room, adding a row of plants to the console behind the sofa creates a ‘wall’ that gives the family the best of open- and closed-space living.

2. Dress your sideboards Think beyond artwork and cute objects when creating displays – mix in plants for natural warmth. A fail-safe tip for displays? Use the ‘skyline’ rule! Build the pieces at different heights, from skyscraper to low-rise. Put taller pieces at the back and include a few items with interesting silhouettes to catch the eye.

3. Bring dead space to life Above doors, ceilings, stairwells – homes are full of ‘dead’ space that’s overlooked because it’s awkward. Use plants to turn it into a living space. Arrange them on shelves, use hooks and rails, or hang them. Just be sure to match the type of plant – light- or shade-loving, in need of frequent watering – to the space you have available.

4. Arrange an everlasting bouquet Today’s artificial flowers look so real they make you do a double take! What you lose in health benefits, you gain in low maintenance and enduring beauty. Here, stalks of artificial ranunculus and baby’s breath have been woven round a chandelier’s frame to create a spring wreath to hang above the dining table.

5. Cultivate a kitchen garden We’re more likely to use things that are close to hand, so why not encourage cooking with fresh herbs by adding a small herb garden to your kitchen? Even a small pot can yield a generous crop, so you won’t need a lot of room. Grow yours on windowsills or sunny corners of your worktop.

Plants warm up my monochrome home ‘I’m not naturally green-fingered but I’m getting better!’ says Sofie, who tried these plant ideas for us. ‘Plants make you feel good – they’re calming and make home more comfortable. They complement our black and white scheme – maybe that’s why I love green!’

We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.

Made by
Interior stylist: Pernilla Warnhammar
Photographer: Lina Ikse