In terms of interior changing elements, lighting and plants are game changers. Lighting brings warmth and extra dimension into a room, while plants have a remarkable ability to (literally) bring life in. Plants soften a room, they add natural and palatable colour and texture that create a connection to nature, making a space feel more welcoming.
Styling plants is easy; they look good in most places. The issue is, plants ARE alive and don’t thrive just anywhere. Not every room is blessed with natural light, and not every homeowner has the time (or inclination) it takes to look after a nursery of green dependents. This great dilemma has a leafy solution: Faux plants.
A bit of deception in styling isn’t a crime. In fact, it could actually prevent the offence of wilting house plants. For years, faux plants carried a bit of a reputation. Dusty, cheap and obviously fake waiting room decor. If you haven’t already tapped into it, I’m happy to inform you that, thankfully, things have changed. High-quality faux plants have come a long way, and some are so convincing that you wouldn’t even notice if you had seen them before.
Of course, not all faux indoor plants are created equal. The difference between a good one and a bad one makes all the difference. A quality faux plant has variation in colour as well as natural movement through the plant’s shape. The cheaper versions tend to look overly shiny and just too vibrant. Obvious fakes.
A good faux plant has its benefits. They’re resilient enough to be placed anywhere to achieve the look of how greenery acts in a space, without requiring the right light. Some spots that could do with some life are windowless hallways and bathrooms, as well as rooms without the north-facing sun.
The main difference between real and fake plants, and the reason why real plants are more fulfilling beyond the aesthetic appeal, is that real plants grow. With the right care, their energy can extend into draping leaves and a room that feels alive. For places with suitable conditions, it can be satisfying to learn to nurture a plant into thriving. Real plants can be hard to beat.
As an interior designer, I don’t think this has to be an either-or situation. There is a way you can balance real and faux plants to create a practical combo. Sometimes a fiddle leaf fig is exactly what a room needs, and other times it needs a convincing faux fern.
If a faux indoor plant is what will create a beautiful look in a challenging location, I say to go for it.
So, can you tell the difference?
In a recent Instagram post, I shared several plants from a client’s home. Some are real. Some are faux. See if you can spot which is which.
You might be surprised.
