Home Decorating with Flowers Archives

Low Maintenance Plants for Your Dorm Room

Small, cramped, poorly lit, and drab — all words that have become synonymous with a college dorm room. While you may not be able to do anything about the size of your room, there’s plenty you can do to add a personal touch and a pop of color. Yes, we’re talking about incorporating plants and flowers into your dorm room! But not all plants have what it takes to make it through the year (or four). That’s why we’ve compiled a list of low-maintenance plants that will brighten any dorm.

Succulents

Succulents are a college student’s best friend. These plants may be small, but they’re extremely tough. Not only will they survive on infrequent waterings, they’ll actually thrive on them. Just be sure to leave them on your windowsill, since they do need a decent amount of sunlight.

Bamboo

Add some texture and luck to your room with a few strands of bamboo. And if you really want to minimize its maintenance, you can skip the soil completely. That’s right, bamboo can grow in just a container of water!

Jade

Jade’s quirky, spoon-shaped leaves can bring a smile to anyone’s face. Plus, their once-a-month water needs can certainly make anyone with, let’s say “less than a green thumb,” happy as well!

Aloe Vera

A sunny windowsill and occasional watering is all aloe needs to survive for years. This striking, little plant is also a natural remedy for minor cuts and burns.

Orchid

Especially if you’re heading to school up north, your room will be in desperate need of some tropical elements. Luckily, an orchid is just as beautiful as it is easy to care for. An orchid also makes the perfect flower choice for rooms without large windows, since it shouldn’t be left in direct sunlight.

Dish Garden

In the mood for a little bit of everything? Have your very own garden right beside your bed with the help of our dish gardens. From fresh cut flowers to cacti and succulents, dish gardens let you enjoy all the benefits of a flower garden, without the work!

Rose Plants

From elegant to classic containers, rose plants can make even the smallest room feel like home. Rose plants are a great option for people who enjoy gardening a bit (seeing as how they have to be watered and occasionally pruned) but don’t have the time to dedicate to an entire garden or bush.

Peace Lily

Peace lily can survive in a multitude of climates, including those that are dimly lit and have very little humidity. The best part about peace lilies is that they’ll typically tell you when you need to care for them. When you notice its leaves beginning to sag, you know it’s time for a bit of water!

Did we miss your favorite? If so, shop our entire collection of beautiful and unique plants now!

5 Ideas for Mother’s Day Décor Ideas with Flowers

The series “Seasonal Design” covers home decor and how flowers elevate an environment. Flowers are always a great way to decorate your home. These ideas for Mother’s Day flower decorations with make mom feel like the special woman she is.

A mother’s heart always welcomes hugs and kisses — that’s a given — but on her special day why not show her how much you care by putting in a little extra effort? Take those fresh flowers you’re getting her and use them to make a gorgeous and heartfelt decoration for her home. It’s the perfect way to bring new life and energy to her space, and the permanence of the piece will remind her of your thoughtful gesture for years to come.

These five ideas for Mother’s Day flower decorations will both wow mom and dress up her home at the same time.

1. Personalize pots

mother's day flower decorations with flowers in a mug

While the fresh blooms you buy her may not last forever, putting them in a pot or vase that she can use all year long will brighten her home. Purchase several different pots, planters, and vases of varying sizes. This will let Mom mix and match around the home later, and will give you a chance to include a Mother’s Day plant with a little more staying power.

Now, take your pots and cover their exterior with a layer of chalkboard paint or black paint specially formulated to give you a flat, matte appearance. Then, decorate them using either chalk, for temporary messages that can be updated, or paint markers in bright colors that will pop against the black background. You can coordinate the colors and designs to create a fun display or make each one different so Mom can use them throughout her home.

2. Wake her up to a bedside arrangement

Give Mom a surprise by arranging a basketful of flowers or flowering plants on her bedside table. Take cues from her bedroom decor, picking up the colors from her bedding, curtains, or throw pillows in her Mother’s Day arrangement. Then, choose a basket, bucket, or vase that will pull it all together. This will let Mom enjoy her flowers long after Mother’s day has ended.

3. Add a vintage touch

If Mom loves antiques as much as she loves flowers, then take a quick trip to your local antique store or flea market and get thinking outside the box — or, in this case, the flower vase. Look for vintage porcelain in which to arrange your bouquet, or get creative and place your gift in an old watering can, wooden box, or basket lined with plastic, or even a birdhouse. Whatever vessel you choose, your gift should be unique, whimsical, and encompassing of Mom’s passions.

4. Perennial flower plant for the porch or patio

It’s nice to receive flowers, but it’s even better to receive them again and again, year after year. If Mom loves to garden, consider purchasing her a set of sprouted bulbs to plant herself. Or, if she doesn’t have a green thumb but loves flowers, get her a hardy perennial plant that doesn’t require much care and she can enjoy on her front porch for years to come. Examples of these include paperwhites and hyacinth.

5. Make the bathroom flourish

Flowering plants do more than look nice and brighten a home; they also clean the air of the room they’re in. So, how better to brighten Mom’s bathroom than with a hanging flowering plant? Look for low-light plants like calla lilies, and place one in a decorative hanging basket or planter. Screw a hook to the ceiling, and give Mom something that will leave a lasting impression within the room.

How to Feng Shui Your Office Space

With neverending job responsibilities and continuously growing office hours, it’s important to have a space that helps keep you focused, calm and collected. While you may not have too much say on the general atmosphere of your office, you do have the authority to decorate in (almost) any way you please; so take advantage and give your work desk a feng shui makeover with these simple ideas!

Tips for Optimizing Your Work Space

Add an air-purifying plant. Bonsai and Aloe plants are among the dozens of varieties that can help rid your air of toxins and bacteria. If you’re looking for an alternative with slightly more color, try a gerber daisy plant! Even If you’re known for your inability to care for plants, there’s an option for you – the trendy, yet low maintenance cactus plant!

De-clutter. Once a month or bi-weekly if possible, take an hour out of your day to re-organize and de-clutter your work space. Toss papers that have piled up or simply change out some of your decorations for a fresh new touch.

Treat yourself to a monthly flower arrangement. Add a touch of color and liveliness to your work space with a fresh flower arrangement! A bouquet of sunflowers is the perfect way to add a touch of cheer, while stunning roses are sure to give your space a touch of elegance. When choosing your flowers, be considerate of your co-workers and any allergies they may have.

If you’re “walled-in”, hang a soothing/inspiring picture. There’s nothing more dreary than staring at a wall for eight hours a day. Give your eyes a relaxing image to rest on or an inspiration to quote to help stir up your creativity and help keep you going.

Keep chords organized. There’s nothing more jarring to your sense of focus than a cluttered bundle of chords in your peripheral vision. Take some time to organize your chords, then use ribbon or twist ties to keep them in a nice, neat bundle.