Beating SAD: When your biophilia and dopamine decor go hand in hand

Missing the balmy weather and green nature’s embrace? Are these cold seasons’ colours giving you the blues? Let’s face it – the golden days’ sunshine and surrounding greenery lift even the lowest spirits. While we’re not saying that you might be one of the 268K to 1.6MN people in the UK who feel the colder days weighing on their mood, we do hope you take charge and bring some extra bliss into your life—via your space! Or, should we say, through your plants. There are many ways to lean into the ever-popular dopamine décor trend and improve your mood and home’s energy, yet, few options hit the mark quite like nature-centric additions do! And here, we talk about bringing in some plants, flowers, or lush greeneries in their colourful, lovely pots. Should we proceed with the best recommendations and tips for your mood-lifting home upgrade?

Going for a pot that hits the spot 

While the choice of plant is crucial, for you can grow anything from low-maintenance flowers to veggies like avocados and cucumbers that thrive indoors, their pot makes a huge difference, too. There are dozens of models of pots and planters, each designed to cater to specific needs – it only takes knowing your plant’s requirements and dedicating a second to sort through your options. As stated by experts at elho, newbies in plant upkeep or greenery lovers struggling with jam-packed schedules have all the support they need when going with reputable pot providers. For instance, you can use pots with drainage and watering systems to rest assured, knowing your green pal’s soil is moist and full of oxygen.

At the same time, you can benefit from the massive evolution in plant care by getting containers specifically designed to help veggies grow all year round. You can kick it off with a veggie, indoor garden plan this month and relocate the greeneries outside when the weather and their condition allow. Similarly, you can opt for hanging pots to ensure you maximise your space or that your pets’ access to the biophilic décor is limited. There’s a sea of options when it comes to choosing pots, so choose reliable providers to ensure you get quality that hits the mark.

The greatest greeneries for indoor care

Plants are food for your soul, and fortunately, there are numerous excellent options that are sure to boost your mood even if you’re dealing with low light and tight spaces. Some of these low-maintenance houseplants are outlined below, being known to benefit well-being and mental health. 

• Aloe vera plants, whose medicinal properties you’re probably already familiar with, may boast some air-purifying abilities when you have a bunch of them together! The plants’ striking and stripy leaves make them visually appealing plants that work in every space, all the more since there are dozens of subcategories of aloe vera. 
• The money tree is easy to care for if it sits close to a sunny window. According to Feng Shui principles, the money tree does precisely what its name suggests: attracting prosperity, good fortune, and financial luck. True or not, the truth is that just believing in this assumption can lift your spirits.
• Fiddle leaf figs are hyped as “architectural” plants, and for good reason. Shaped like a tree and with uncommonly abstract leaf profiles, it makes a great statement plant. The only downside here is that it needs light and fast-draining soil, but once you’ve figured out the best soil, you won’t have to worry about your plant’s lifespan. 
• Snake plants thrive in gloomy spots, some of the easiest to grow. The sword-like model of the two-hued leaves brings some modern flair and minimalist splendour to any place.

Thinking stylish

Say you’re done with learning your plants’ requirements and finding the type of pot that meets them. Now, you can progress and think of how the pots will blend in with other décor elements in your room, like sculptural items. Or, even better, have your greeneries make statement pieces that catch everyone’s eyes and hearts, choose colours that match the flowers’ hues, or do the opposite. Just imagine how some lovely, silky white flower pots would complement your space when accommodating gracious orchids or primrose. Or, if you want a chic, minimalist vibe, you can opt for Brussels diamond round pots. These are stylishly designed and fit most indoor spaces thanks to their sleekness, bringing in a modern touch that will elevate your room’s aesthetic.

Besides the natural beauty your lush greenery brings to your indoor environment, you’ll have some chic décor additions to boast all year round. As décor elements, you can add a selection of plants by the windows or use them to balance out different colours and make rooms livelier. The choices are endless – you just need to listen to your soul and needs and select plants and pots accordingly! 

How can a plant enhance your mental health?

While no one wants to beat around the bush enumerating health benefits like air purification and stress relief, it’s natural to wonder how a plant can do all that before you bring your chosen greenery home. Part of their magic is that they reassert your connection with nature when the cold winter days make it hard for you to reconnect with green spaces. They seem to improve your mood and mental health so well in these times, lifting your spirits as your lack of natural exposure outdoors impacts your mood. The surroundings look depressing when the flowers don’t thrive, and the grass turns yellowish. The sight of lush greenery in your dwelling reminds you of nature’s return in spring and substitutes it until you can get your mood boost when you step out of your home and into the heartwarming sun and greenery. 

Indoor gardens are dopamine décor by all means. This is how you stay in touch with wildlife when Mother Nature herself takes a break from its duties. Moreover, the simple act of caring for your plants can boost your mood, having you focused on their positive vibes instead of stressing over the cold outdoors. You may sometimes fail to realise how disconnected you feel from the world in such scenarios. Tending to plants brings a sense of purpose and helps you reconnect with the cycles of life. 

While adding dopamine details can increase your space’s appeal, biophilic ones are great for reducing stress and stimulating the release of happy hormones. Simple tweaks like incorporating greenery can transform your home and life, so dare to kiss SAD goodbye and enjoy your journey to interior bliss.