Entering an efficiently designed office, hotel lobby, restaurant, or reception, one may find that it is the greenery which first draws one’s attention to the setting. It could be a planter used for softening a harsh corner, or even a living wall that transforms an ordinary wall into a visual focus point. However, making this happen requires more than choosing attractive plants and positioning them in a room.
Interior plant design involves such factors as space, lighting, needs of the plants, planting containers, maintenance, and flow of visitors. Those who are interested in indoor plants Columbus Ohio should know how the process is really carried out.
Why Interior Plant Design Goes Beyond Choosing a Few Plants
A plant that looks stunning in a showroom might not cope well in a dark office environment or become hard to maintain in a bustling lobby. Professional interior landscaping begins from the understanding of the requirements of the space, and not merely selection of plants based on their aesthetic value alone.
It is here that interior plant design services come into play. A designer takes into account the available amount of sunlight, space in the room, flow of traffic, interior design, as well as the use of the space before suggesting the plant concept.
The other growing trend is that of biophilic design, bringing nature into man-made structures. Studies by Oakland Green Interiors show an increase in productivity by 15% and decrease in tension and anxiety by 37% through use of plants in work environments.
What Happens During Professional Plant Design
Space and Lighting Assessment
Environment Assessment
Assessment of the environment is the first step in any project. Designers take into account where the plants should be situated and what amount of natural or artificial light will come to them.
Such factors as temperature, humidity, access and traffic flow could also be the deciding factors on which plants should be used.
This will provide a basis for planning and not just fill up the empty spaces with plants.
Selection of Plants and Containers
After the environmental assessment is complete, the next step is the selection of plants and appropriate containers.
Height of the plants, texture, leaf form and the way the plants grow are the important factors to consider. Also, the containers themselves are of great importance.
The size of the container, its material, shape and finish could either add to the decor or compete with it.
In addition, a professional approach includes consideration of the long-term health of the plants.
Design Development and Installation
Following the creation of the concept, the design process takes a practical turn. In Oakland Green Interiors, it may involve site visits, design development, material orders, construction, installation, and billing.
The firm has been working in Central Ohio for over four decades and has created interior plant designs for office, hospitality, healthcare and other commercial facilities. Some of the projects by the firm have involved interior plant design at The Junto Hotel and living walls at The Huntington Center.
In firms that are exploring indoor plants Columbus Ohio, such a process can prove to be quite helpful since the design and installation of the design will not be seen as two different jobs.
Why Ongoing Plant Maintenance Matters
The actual planting is just the start. Without proper maintenance, even a well-planned arrangement will soon look unappealing.
Maintenance involves tasks such as watering, pruning, cleaning, fertilizing, checking and more. Proper maintenance will also allow one to spot any problems early on.
For commercial sites, the process of maintenance becomes especially useful since the personnel at the facility will not need to keep track of all the necessary watering requirements for the plant. The plant will stay in the environment without turning into an added chore.
How Biophilic Design Adds More Than Visual Appeal
The plant can transform the look and feel of the space. In the interior that can have glass, concrete, metal, and linear architecture, the plants can bring natural shapes and textures.
Biophilic design concept goes one step further and considers the way people perceive space around them. Plant life can serve the role of zoning, soften transition, or establish a greater connection to nature.
In the context of the workplace environment that often involves spending a lot of time indoors, just a couple of plants can do a much better job than the bunch of potted plants all over the place.
Final Thoughts
Interior plant design is much less about incorporating greens into an interior and much more about ensuring that greens are designed to fit in a particular interior environment. This requires careful selection of the plants used, along with the pots used for their growth, as well as the correct lighting and maintenance system.
For the owners of properties and design teams interested in interior plant design, the first step is an assessment of the interior and its requirements. Only after that can the greenery become an integral part of the interior.
For more information about the company’s approach to interior plant design, see its interior plant design services.