Top 5 Benefits of Indoor Plants
These days, more and more of us are spending time at home working, playing, dining and spending time with family and friends.
A common question arises: How can I make my living space more welcoming and comfortable both for others and myself?
An easy and relatively inexpensive way to improve your living space is to add indoor plants.
At Origin Woodworks, we’re huge fans of bringing elements of nature inside whether it’s local hardwood for live edge furniture or welcoming houseplants. It’s beneficial in a number of ways.
Top Five Benefits of Indoor Plants
Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Studies have shown that the presence of greenery in our living space can reduce stress and anxiety. Why is this? Essentially, because we view digital screens so much this puts us in a state that isn’t natural for our nervous systems. Having plants nearby helps suppress our sympathetic nervous system and lowers blood pressure.
Delight Our Eyes
As humans, we like when our surrounding environment is aesthetically pleasing. In our built environment we have a lot of artificial light, plastics, walls that are cold and grey, and digital distractions. Plants serve to remind us of what was lost when we moved indoors into built environments.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
While looking pleasing to our eyes, plants also benefit our health. They work as natural air purifiers by soaking up volatile organic compounds from carpet, paint, and cleaners. They help reduce allergies by catching dust and particles on their leaves. Lastly they also improve indoor humidity in the winter when dry, forced air is heating our space. Read More Here
Awaken a Sense of Nurturing and Accomplishment
There’s something about nurturing living things. In this case, plants are a bit easier to care for than a pet or child but still provide some of the benefits that come with seeing a living organism thrive. And don’t worry if you don’t have a green thumb, many indoor plants are low to no-maintenance. Check out this great guide for plant selection and care.
Sharpens Focus and Productivity
Who knew that plants had the ability to make us more focused and productive? According to Healthline:
“Multiple studies have found that plants in the workspace increase both productivity and creativity. One frequently cited study from 1996 found that students in a campus computer lab worked 12 percent faster and were less stressed when plants were placed nearby.
And a 2007 study showed that people with more plants in their workspace took fewer sick days and were more productive on the job.”
Bonus: They Look Amazing Paired with Furniture from Origin Woodworks :)
Ok, so this one is a bit of a cheat coming from the Chief Wood Elf himself. But there is no denying that rustic, live edge furniture just looks great with the colors that houseplants bring into the picture. It completes a living space by bringing two elements of nature inside: foliage and hardwood.
Closing Thoughts
In summary, if your living space is needing a relatively inexpensive, easy face lift, houseplants are the answer. From the numerous health benefits to being aesthetically pleasing, they will make your home feel even more like a place of refuge.