Choosing artificial plants isn't just about finding something you like – it's about finding something that works perfectly in its intended space. The ideal plant for a bright, spacious living room is completely different from what works in a compact bathroom or busy kitchen.
In this room-by-room guide, we'll help you select the perfect artificial plants for every space in your home. From statement pieces that anchor a living room to practical choices for steamy bathrooms, you'll find tailored recommendations for each area.
Living Room: Make a Statement
The living room is where you spend the most time and where guests form their first impressions. This is the space for your most impressive artificial plants.
The Statement Tree
Every living room benefits from at least one substantial plant that anchors the space. Position it in an empty corner, beside the sofa, or flanking a fireplace.
Our top picks:
Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) – The Instagram favourite for good reason. Its large, sculptural leaves make an immediate impact. Works beautifully in modern, minimalist, or Scandinavian spaces. Choose 120-180cm for most living rooms.
Olive Tree – Brings Mediterranean warmth and sophistication. The silvery-green leaves and characterful twisted trunk work in both contemporary and traditional settings. A current interior design darling.
Monstera Deliciosa – Those dramatic split leaves are unmistakable. Perfect for adding tropical flair without overwhelming the space. Works in both modern and bohemian interiors.
Bird of Paradise – If you want drama, this is it. Large, paddle-shaped leaves create a bold architectural statement. Best in rooms with high ceilings.
Supporting Cast
Complement your statement tree with smaller plants on side tables, consoles, or shelving.
Snake Plants (Sansevieria) – Architectural and modern, these work on side tables or in small floor spaces. Their upright form adds height without bulk.
Trailing Pothos – Perfect for high shelves or bookcases where the vines can cascade down. Softens hard edges and adds organic flow.
Orchids – Add elegance to coffee tables or consoles. White and blush pink varieties suit most colour schemes.
Living Room Styling Tips
- Odd numbers work best – Group three plants of varying heights rather than two matching ones
- Create depth – Place larger plants further back, smaller ones forward
- Consider sight lines – Position statement plants where they're visible from the main seating area
- Match your planter – The pot is as important as the plant for living room focal points
Bedroom: Create Calm
The bedroom should feel peaceful and restful. Choose artificial plants with soft, calming qualities rather than dramatic statement pieces.
Bedside Tables
Small plants add life without overwhelming limited space.
Small Succulents – Clean lines and modern appeal. Group three different varieties for interest.
Mini Ferns – Soft, feathery fronds create a gentle, natural feel.
Small Orchids – Elegant and serene. White orchids are particularly calming.
Dresser or Chest of Drawers
Medium-sized plants work well on larger furniture.
Peace Lily – Glossy leaves and elegant white flowers create a spa-like atmosphere. The symbolism of peace and tranquillity suits bedrooms perfectly.
Medium Fern – Lush and soft, ferns add texture without demanding attention.
Eucalyptus in a Vase – The silvery-green tones are inherently calming. Eucalyptus suggests spa-like relaxation.
Corner or Floor Space
If space allows, a medium floor plant adds natural warmth.
Rubber Plant – Deep green, glossy leaves feel substantial yet calming.
Kentia Palm – Soft, arching fronds create gentle movement. Classic and elegant.
Bedroom Styling Tips
- Avoid spiky or dramatic plants – These create visual tension, not relaxation
- Soft colours work best – Stick to greens, whites, and muted tones
- Less is more – Don't overcrowd the bedroom with plants
- Consider nightstands carefully – Plants should not obstruct lighting or make the space feel cluttered
Bathroom: Embrace the Unusual
Bathrooms are often challenging for real plants – poor light, humidity fluctuations, limited space. Artificial plants solve all these problems while adding crucial warmth to what's often a clinical space.
What Works in Bathrooms
Choose plants that would naturally thrive in humid conditions for a convincing look.
Ferns – The obvious choice for a reason. Boston ferns, maidenhair ferns, and bird's nest ferns all love humidity in real life, so they look completely natural in bathrooms.
Pothos – Trailing pothos is perfect for bathroom shelves or hanging from shower caddies. The heart-shaped leaves are bathroom classics.
Snake Plant – While they don't need humidity in real life, snake plants look right in bathrooms and their upright form suits small spaces.
Orchids – Orchids naturally grow in humid environments, making them a convincing bathroom choice. A white orchid on the vanity adds instant spa feeling.
Air Plants – These unusual plants look at home in humid spaces and require no pot, making them perfect for small bathrooms.
Bamboo – Brings an immediate spa or Asian influence. Works well in bathrooms with neutral colours.
Bathroom Placement Ideas
- On the cistern or back of toilet – Often wasted space that a small plant transforms
- Shower corner shelf – Artificial plants love steam (real ones rarely survive here)
- Windowsill – Even north-facing bathroom windows suit artificial plants
- Hanging from ceiling or high shelf – Trailing plants maximise limited floor space
- On the vanity – Small orchid or succulent adds polish
Bathroom Styling Tips
- Choose moisture-resistant pots – Ceramic, plastic, or concrete rather than fabric-lined baskets
- White and green is classic – Matches most bathroom colour schemes
- Don't block functional areas – Ensure plants don't obstruct the mirror, taps, or storage
- Easy to clean – Bathrooms need regular cleaning; choose plants that won't make this harder
Kitchen: Practical Greenery
Kitchens need plants that won't get in the way of cooking but still add life to what's often the home's heart.
Open Shelving and Windowsills
Kitchens often have great opportunities for plant display.
Herbs – Even artificial herbs look charming in a kitchen. Basil, rosemary, and mint in small pots on the windowsill add a culinary feel.
Small Succulents – Low maintenance in every sense – artificial succulents won't collect kitchen grease like fussier plants might.
Trailing Ivy or Pothos – Perfect for high shelves where vines can cascade. Keeps floor and counter space clear.
On Top of Cabinets
That awkward space above kitchen cabinets is perfect for artificial plants.
Trailing Philodendron – Let it drape down the front of cabinets for a lush, established look.
Large Fern – Fills the space without looking staged.
Kitchen Island or Dining Area
If your kitchen includes a dining space, treat it more like a living room.
Small Olive Tree – Mediterranean feel that suits kitchen dining areas.
Herb Garden Display – Multiple artificial herbs in a trough or grouped pots.
Kitchen Styling Tips
- Keep away from heat sources – While artificial plants don't mind heat, placing them near the hob looks odd
- Consider cleaning – Kitchen plants get greasier; choose styles that wipe clean easily
- Food-adjacent plants should look edible-adjacent – Herbs, citrus, and olive work better than tropical plants
- Avoid blocking natural light – Kitchens often need all the light they can get
Home Office: Boost Productivity
Studies suggest that greenery improves concentration, reduces stress, and increases productivity. Artificial plants deliver these benefits without the distraction of maintenance.
On Your Desk
Small plants add life without cluttering your workspace.
Small Snake Plant – Upright form doesn't sprawl across paperwork.
Small ZZ Plant – Glossy leaves and compact form suit desk corners.
Mini Succulent Garden – Low profile and visually interesting.
Beside Your Desk
A larger plant anchors your workspace and improves the view during video calls.
Medium Fiddle Leaf Fig – Looks professional and polished on camera.
Rubber Plant – Deep green leaves don't distract but add warmth.
Medium Palm – Creates a relaxed, slightly tropical backdrop.
Bookshelf Styling
Office shelving benefits from plants mixed with books and accessories.
Trailing Pothos – Softens rigid book rows.
Small Ferns – Adds texture between book collections.
Eucalyptus in a Vase – Simple and elegant.
Home Office Styling Tips
- Consider video call backgrounds – Position statement plants where they'll appear in camera
- Don't block screens – Plants should be beside or behind your monitor, not in your eyeline
- Match your professional style – Creative industries can go tropical; corporate roles might prefer classic greens
- Include variety – A small desk plant, medium floor plant, and some trailing shelving plants create a layered look
Hallway and Entrance: First Impressions
Your entrance is the first thing guests see. A well-chosen plant says "welcome" immediately.
Narrow Hallways
Space is often limited, but the right plant fits perfectly.
Tall, Slim Trees – Look for narrow specimens like bamboo, cypress, or slim palms that provide height without width.
Console Table Arrangements – If you have a console, a medium plant creates an instant focal point.
Wall-Mounted or Hanging – When floor space is limited, go vertical with hanging plants or wall-mounted greenery.
Spacious Entrances
Larger entrance halls offer more dramatic possibilities.
Pair of Topiary Trees – Flanking the door, matching bay laurels or boxwood balls create classic elegance.
Large Statement Tree – A bold fiddle leaf fig or olive tree makes an immediate impression.
Grouped Arrangements – A cluster of three differently-sized plants creates a welcoming display.
Entrance Styling Tips
- Scale to your space – Don't overwhelm a small hallway or underwhelm a grand entrance
- Consider traffic flow – Plants should welcome, not obstruct
- Match your home's style – The entrance sets expectations for what's inside
- Year-round appeal – Unlike seasonal wreaths, evergreen artificial plants always look fresh
General Room-by-Room Rules
No matter which room you're styling, these principles apply:
- Match the plant to the space's function – Calming for bedrooms, welcoming for entrances, practical for kitchens
- Consider the light story – Choose plants that could realistically grow in each room's conditions for a convincing look
- Scale matters – Large rooms need larger plants; small spaces need restraint
- Style should flow – Your plant choices should feel cohesive throughout your home, not jarring as you move between rooms
- Quality over quantity – One excellent artificial plant beats three mediocre ones
Conclusion
Every room in your home offers opportunities for artificial plants – you just need to choose the right ones. By matching plant style, size, and character to each room's function and aesthetics, you create a cohesive, naturally green home without any of the maintenance headaches.
Start with the room where you spend the most time, choose your statement piece, then build out from there. Before you know it, your entire home will feel lush and welcoming.