Wishing you a cosy Christmas filled with greenery

It is official -- winter is here. While the remnants of late autumn still linger, your mind is already in half-lazy mode. For those of you looking to make the best of this pleasant weather indoors, this is the time to start.

At the same time, if you are trying to 'go green' or attempting to add a touch of green to your house this Christmas, indoor plants are the indisputable crown holders of household accessorising. For home décor, plants have their own place of class and sensibility. But just like everything else, these too have their own pace and space to add to your home.

GO VERTICAL 

Space is an issue that halts many ideas from seeing the light of day. For your greenery ideas, aside from regular pots placed on flat surfaces, try some hanging planters. You can also drill in the planters to a wall alongside your photos and other hanging wall décor. Do not forget to factor in watering and soil placement. Cacti or succulents that grow on rocks with little water are good choices. So are plants that have hanging tendrils.

BORING BATHROOMS NO MORE

Bathroom décor is not just limited to tiles and shelves. Add a small plant container on your washbasin if you have the space.  Place a pot or two on the floor if your bathroom is spacious and allows enough light to enter. At least watering will not be an issue!

RETHINK SHELF SPACE

Is your bookshelf not that full with books? Or are you tired of too many showpieces falling off and breaking into pieces? When an empty shelf looks back at you, this time reach out and put a house plant in there. If you can place a vine like plant on top, the growing vines will add a distinctive flowing texture to the room.

CHANGE YOUR VIEW AT EYE-LEVEL

In most cases, the living or drawing room is the best place to experiment house décor. Rather than placing a potted plant on your centre-table, utilise other surfaces at eye-level. If your TV is placed on a large enough stand with space to spare on the sides, go for small cactus pots as borders.

While you are at it, consider your glass vases or other show pieces. Placing centrepieces in the right light at a different angle can often change an entire room. Instead of blue-white ceramic pieces, go for colourful sets that will contrast with the outside weather. Stained glass pieces can add that 'winter wonderland' look if you place them right.

GET THE BEST OF SPACE AND LIGHT

An unblocked, south facing window is a rare find in the cityscape. If your house is graced with said window, make sure you clean it up as well the space around it. The pleasant warmth coming from the winter sun is bound to give your home the relaxed vibe you are looking for.

Get a chair for a lazy afternoon and sit with your favourite cup of warm brew in front of the window for the perfect melt-away feeling.

No matter the space in your home, you can always make room for plants. While placing larger plants is an issue, if you have space for it, ensure that it does not obstruct the view of the room, do not just shove it into a corner either.

Sunlight is essential, but do not clump all your indoor plants together. Make sure to move plants around on a weekly rotation so that they receive the right amount of light.

Local nurseries now carry wide varieties of indoor plants. The sellers too are capable of giving you the necessary tips. Remember, potted plants are not just decoration items; they breathe and live just as you do. Instead of having a house that plants share with you, make it a home that you share with your plants.

ADD WARM TONES

You do not have to paint a wall or two in yellows and oranges. Simply getting a plant in a terra cotta pot, or a set of wooden bowls can add those earthy, warm feels. Add a fun showpiece or a vibrant piece of art on your wall if you want to scale it up a notch.

GO BOHO: MIX AND MATCH

The liberal flow that Boho Chic carries can easily be incorporated into your home décor, especially for a cosy touch. Rugs and throw pillows, multi-tone macramé wall hangings, candles in brushed metal holders are easy to incorporate for this look. The key idea should be to have a casual well-lived in ambience without making the home looking overstuffed.

As always, these are not rules written in stone. Style your home however you feel like to fit this early winter. With the scorching sun and all-ruining humidity behind us, it is time to let your home be the place of pure comfort.

Photo: Shahrear Kabir Heemel