When it comes to having a home as ecologically friendly, emotionally uplifting, and close to nature as viably possible, houseplants are an indispensable part of the equation.

Whether you go for a looming Areca indoor palm or a modest bunch of potted lilies on the mantelpiece, there are an incredible array of benefits to welcome some foliage into your home.

Here’s a quick look at a few of them.

They purify the air

Everyone knows that plants breathe in CO2 and breath out oxygen. This, in itself, can contribute to the air in your home feeling fresher and more rejuvenating.

The story doesn’t end there, however. Not by a long shot. In addition to clearing CO2, houseplants also have the ability to tackle and neutralise a wide range of other pollutants commonly found in stagnant air pockets around the home.

In fact, you might be surprised to learn that NASA (yes, that NASA) has conducted extensive research on indoor plants for just that reason, in the form of the NASA Clean Air Study. The results of which demonstrate that houseplants can be effective in removing, among other things, contaminants such as benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

The top most effective plants in the study, for the purpose of air purification, were; (1) Garden Mum, (2) Spider Plant, (3) Dracaena, (4) Ficus, (5) Peace Lily.

The only thing you need to be mindful of is that some plants generate more moisture than others. In order to prevent an unexpected mould problem, be selective about which plants you place where. Rooms with good heating systems in place, such as those available from https://www.bathroomtakeaway.co.uk/heating/towel-rails/electric-towel-rails, are the best candidates for the most rainforest-like bits of undergrowth.

They boost your mood

The health benefits of plants are by no means restricted to their ability to purify the air. They can also have a tremendously positive effect on the mental and emotional wellbeing of anyone in the vicinity.

Studies have shown that even just being able to see a tree through the window of a hospital recovery room results in faster recovery times and better mood outcomes for patients.

And while the exact reasons for this phenomenon are unclear, there’s something undeniably life-affirming about having a living part of mother nature nearby at any given time, as a reminder that we’re connected to the tides and beauty of the natural world around us.

They serve as a great ornamental feature

The global fascination with botany, of course, has at least as much to do with the fact that we like the way plants look as it does with the fact that we like the way they make us feel. With the incredible array of different types of houseplants available on the market — featuring every colour of the rainbow, every size, aroma, and shape of plant imaginable — there’s nothing to stop you finding the houseplant that’s a perfect aesthetic match for your own style sensibilities.

Houseplants, as well being a living health aid, are a natural, vibrant ornament, with the ability to set off any room and add a touch of vigour, or a dash of colour, to otherwise drab surroundings.

There are lots of ways  homeowners are currently working hard to update their interiors before the cold weather strikes. As the temperatures drop, most people just want to get home from work and chill out in front of the TV. So, now is the best time to undertake all those jobs you’ve put off but could save a lot of money and energy.

Invest in some stylish rugs

Adding some stylish rugs to the floor right now could keep the house warm during the cold months according to experts from Nest and other top brands. Of course, those with wooden or laminate flooring will benefit more than most. Still, even those readers with thick carpets should notice a difference after placing the rugs on the floors. The extra layer of padding and insulation will make it easier for the home to retain heat. That should mean individuals use less electricity and gas this winter. Everyone wants to move towards green living, and that is probably the easiest way to get started. 

Update those windows

There are a couple of reasons why all homeowners should consider upgrading their windows if they are more than ten years old. Firstly, the seal around the frame will have deteriorated somewhat, and that could mean the house becomes ‘draughty’ and chilly. Secondly, new aluminium designs tend to provide more insulation for the property according to experts from Buckingham Double Glazing and similar specialists. So, individuals will get rid of any gusts of cold air, and also will ensure the heat they produce stays inside the home. Some of the most popular window styles right now include:

• Residence 9
• PVCu
• Aluminium

Paint in deep colours

When the weather takes a turn for the worse, you’ll want your home to remain warm and as comfortable as possible. Giving the walls a new coat of paint could assist that with that process. Dark shades will always absorb heat a little better than anything else. So, head down to the local DIY store and pick up some dark blues or maroons for the best results. The benefits of painting the walls in dark colours include:

• Creating a relaxing atmosphere
• Retaining heat

There isn’t long to go until we all have to pack our shorts and t-shirts away for another few months. With that in mind, there has never been a better time to perform the updates mentioned in this article. 

Many people want to create a cool and modern look in their home, but they don’t want to compromise on their values. Decorating with your ethical values in mind means considering how your choices are going to impact the planet. Fair trade, sustainable, and eco friendly accessories are just a few options when you’re taking this approach to your home decor. Here are 5 simple steps you can take to create this sort of look in your own home:

Recycled Furniture

Recycled furniture is one of the ultimate ways to create a modern and ethical home decor. Recycled doesn’t have to mean that something is worn out and unusable. In fact, you can create a vintage, retro vibe by going for recycled furniture in your home. Recycled items in the home help to make the world a more sustainable place, and you can find some real gems if you look in the right places.

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Choose Handmade Furnishings

Handmade furnishings are a wonderful way to support small businesses and introduce some really interesting pieces into your home. Look for original artwork and homewares made in your area, as well as locally designed furniture, curtains, cushions and throws. The distance things travel to you can mean you’re making a larger footprint, so knowing where to shop in your area will go such a long way towards helping the environment.

Add Contrast

It’s OK to mix old and new together to create a cool and contrasting look. However, you should be sure that the new items you buy are in keeping with ethical values. There are many businesses out there that focus on this, so find one that resonates with you!

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Go With A Decorating Company That Share Your Values

If you need help putting your new decor together, you might want to look for a company specializing in contemporary interior design. There are lots out there, so make sure you ask the right questions to ensure that they share your values and are willing to decorate your space in a way that is kindest. Look at customer reviews and testimonials to ensure that the company you find is genuine and as good at what they do as they say.

Bring The Outdoors Inside

Bringing the outdoors inside is a lovely way to give a more natural feel to your home. Plants can help to purify the air, and using untreated wood can make your home look very rustic and cool. If you can use some natural materials to create things yourself, this is even better! There are all kinds of tutorials online that could help you to create things like dining tables, bed frames, side tables, and more.

Are you ready to create a more modern and ethical home decor using these 5 simple steps? Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it; you’ll save time, and you might even save money by using a professional that knows where to go and what to use. Have fun with your decor!

I have many favourite 20th century artists but few have influenced my practice quite like Picasso. His bold, abstract portrayals of the human form and monochromatic cubist meditations have inspired my creativity in so many ways from my own painting to my home’s interior design. I’ve been lucky enough to see some of his artwork on display but I know I’ll never own a real Picasso.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t have the guts to display a genuine Picasso in my home. I’d be terrified of light deterioration and theft. So it’s probably for the best that my Picasso is actually an embroidered cushion by Jules Pansu in Paris, available from Banbayu.

This particular piece, The Femme a la fleur, is a painting of Picasso’s lover, Françoise Gilot, aged 21 at the time, who was almost 40 years his junior. Although Picasso was a known womaniser, you can tell by the soft shapes, bright colours and delicate, enveloping flower that the romance was particularly special to him and it’s why this piece resonates a great deal with me.

The vividness of the pallet manages to complement the neutral colour cheme we have in our home, especially the muted tones of our furniture and decor. In smaller rooms (which make up the majority of our home) I’ll add splashes of colour to maintain a light open feel.

As much as I want to preserve my Picasso, I’m not going to shy away from using it as the embroidery cover is hard wearing, like a tapestry and can be removed from the insert to be washed.

This iconic image has added a  beautiful focal point to my room, one that isn’t framed and on the walls. It’s more effective as a one-off furnishing rather than many “paintings” together which could look too deliberately worldly.

Have you got any original pieces of artwork? How have you displayed them?

Creating a home that you feel happier is so much easier in your mind than it is in reality. Because home decor can take a lot of work, even when you want it to look really natural. When you have some stellar ideas for what you’d like to achieve, more often than not, they end up staying as ideas. Whether you can’t find the inspiration you need to get started, or your budget is looking a little light right now, try not to be put off. Because you can create the stunning natural home that you’ve always wanted, you just need to take it step by step.

Start With The Colours

When you’ve got too much to think about, you can often over-complicate things and stop yourself from just getting started. So, to strip things back so that you can actually start moving forwards, begin with something basic, like the colors you want to use. And because you’re looking to style out very natural vibes, this should be quite simple. To create the look you have in mind, stick with neutrals. Beiges and browns, soft greens, pink, or metallics can often work well in the home and will allow you to achieve a natural feel.

Pick The Perfect Base

When you’ve decided on the colors that you’re going to use, and you’ve started to work with the walls, you then can move on to the floor. Whether you’re decorating one room or several, keeping everything unified is often a great way for your home to look very natural. And you’ll find that the flooring choices you make can contribute to that. Going with something such as bamboo and cork flooring should help. Either can add a very natural feel to a space, which will help with the air you want to achieve.

Use Restored Furniture

When it comes to picking out the furniture, you can do this over time, or bit by bit. When you really want to add a natural element, you should think about working with wood and restored furniture in particular. To do this, you can either hunt through different antiques and vintage shops for bargains, or even restore old pieces of furniture yourself.

Stick To Natural Fabrics

To complement your use of wood, you should think about the natural fabrics you can bring into the space too. Whether you opt for hessian or even cotton, just make sure that you’re picking out soft furnishings that give a warming, homely feel to the space and keep to the neutral color palette you first picked out.

Style Out With A Touch Of Green

Finally, the last thing you may want to do is add in an element of green. But this doesn’t have to be in color alone. Plants can add a really calming and natural feel to your decor. Whether you want to add in some cool cacti or larger houseplants, you should find that you can really set off your natural theme with a little something living. Combined with the different natural textures you’ve picked out, you design should finally feel complete.