A Living Piece of Art: When Plants Become the Centre of Interior Design
For a long time, plants sat at the edges of interior design. Added once a space was complete, they were chosen to soften corners or introduce a hint of green. That approach has shifted. Trees and plants, whether living or carefully crafted, are now viewed as central design features.
Much like a commissioned artwork or a sculptural light installation, botanical elements are increasingly considered from the earliest stages of a project. Their form, scale, texture and emotional impact are part of the design conversation from the outset. Rather than filling space, they shape it.
Plants as a Living or Lifelike Piece of Art
In contemporary interiors, plants are often treated as three dimensional artworks. A statement tree can anchor a room in the same way a sculpture might. Trailing installations draw the eye upwards, while structured botanical forms introduce rhythm and balance within open plan spaces.
This approach borrows heavily from the art world. Proportion, silhouette and negative space are carefully considered, as is how an installation is experienced from multiple viewpoints. The result is greenery that feels curated and intentional, fully integrated into the architecture of the space.
Just as a painting might be selected for its colour or mood, plants are now chosen for the way they influence atmosphere and movement.
Biophilic Design Through an Aesthetic Lens
This shift is often linked to biophilic design, which explores the relationship between people and nature and its impact on wellbeing. In more considered interiors, biophilia is less about quantity and more about intention.
Botanical installations introduce organic texture into structured spaces. They soften hard materials, add depth and create moments of calm. When designed as part of a wider scheme, they enhance the interior rather than compete with it.
In these settings, plants become expressive elements rather than decorative ones.
Light, Shadow and Spatial Impact
One of the most compelling qualities of botanical design is how plants interact with light.
Trees and layered foliage create shifting shadows across walls, floors and ceilings, adding movement and atmosphere throughout the day. Branch structures cast graphic shapes, while leaves filter light softly, similar to an architectural screen. In the evening, considered lighting can transform installations into sculptural features, projecting patterns and silhouettes that subtly change the mood of a space.
In this way, plants behave much like art installations. They are dynamic and responsive, using light and shadow as part of the overall composition.
Real or Artificial as a Design Choice
As botanical features become more ambitious in scale and placement, the decision between real and artificial plants becomes a design led one.
Artificial trees and installations allow for greater control over form, proportion and longevity. They make it possible to achieve impact in environments where natural light, maintenance or compliance would otherwise limit the design. When executed well, they are not imitations of nature but interpretations of it, crafted to support the wider interior vision.
Chosen thoughtfully, artificial installations offer a balance of creativity and practicality. They provide permanence, consistency and visual impact while allowing designers to push scale and placement with confidence.
Considering Botanical Elements for Your Next Project?
If you are considering incorporating botanical elements into your next interior project, whether as a statement tree, a sculptural installation or a subtle architectural feature, we would love to hear from you. We work collaboratively with interior designers, architects and brands to create thoughtfully designed botanical installations that enhance the overall vision of a space.
You can get in touch with us via our contact form to start the conversation.