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Beautify Your Space |
House Plants Can Freshen Air 
Indoor house plants may do more than bring some greenery to the indoors; they can also help purify the air, according to the Rodale Institute in Pennsylvania.Motorized appliances such as mixers and vacuum cleaners give off sparks that carry enough energy to fuse airborne molecules of nitrogen and water into formaldehyde, a common indoor air pollutant.
Many indoor houseplants absorb formaldehyde and convert it back to nitrogen and water. The plants that do this most efficiently are spider plants, English ivy, Boston ferns and chrysanthemums. For an average 1,800-square-foot house, 15 to 18 houseplants in six to eight inch containers can improve air quality, according to a recent U.S. government study.
Decorating with House Plants
You can effectively use houseplants to provide color and style to highlight your home's best features or cover up the problem areas you don't want anyone to notice. ouseplants can be used in a variety of ways to add to your existing decorative style or create a new focal point. Plants can also be used to emphasize a decorative element in your room.
Plant a Focal Point
Every room needs a center of attention but sometimes even if a room has a stunning piece of furniture or an elaborate oversized rug, a room can be lacking something to provide emphasis to that focal point.
A large plant or grouping several houseplants together can create an impressive focal point. Think of choosing a large palm Howeia Foresteriana in a container that blends with your room's color scheme. Ficus Benjamina is a common yet still popular choice for an entranceway or softening a stark kitchen with a vibrant focal point.
For the most dramatic contrast in a monochromatic room, look at the different color variations and separate the other plants to highlight that particular plant. Consider using a Hippeastrum, Peacock plant or flowering Azalea for maximum effect.
Enhancing a Room
Houseplants are an excellent way to disguise areas of your home that you wish would fade away. For example, If you like your window and treatments but despise the view out the window use several plantings to cover up the eyesore. Use shelving and pedestals to create different heights and levels to display your plantings. Hang an impressive basket to hang a fern or cascading ivy from the ceiling to hide the upper view out the window.
If your room has an unsightly ceiling you can keep the eye focused lower by hanging a row of plants or basket containers. Choose plants that are easy to keep up like Tradescantia or Philodendron. Look for unusual places to add a houseplant that can enhance your decor like an unused fireplace or in front of an old unsightly radiator.
Plants to Fit Your Style
Look for houseplants that fit the style of your home. Bonsai plants have an ancient feel as well as White Orchids and Caladiums, giving your room mystery and an exotic flavor. If your home is decorated in the Mediterranean style you may want to choose Howeia Foresteriana, Bamboo plant or Dizgotheca Elegantissima, which boasts a tall central stem with oblong shiny green leaves. The Yucca plant also looks wonderful in a Mediterranean, Spanish or Southwestern decorated home.
A romantic country or Victorian styled bedroom can be set off with Fatsia Japonica, Lavendar or Tolmiea Menziesii. Miniature Roses come in a wide variety of colors and can add a splash of romance to your bedroom retreat. |
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