Plant Wall Shelves | 5 Creative Ways to set up a Plant Shelfie
Plant wall shelves are a staple in our home and have been on a constant raise ever since images of #plantshelfies flooded Instagram feeds.
Plant wall shelves are shelves filled with plants.
Plant shelfies are pictures of these plant wall shelves.
The word shelfie comes from the combination of the words Shelf and Selfie, (as in self-portrait).
There are several ways to create plant wall shelves. Pinterest and Instagram have an incredible amount of images on this particular subject; however, it is easy to fall into the “eye candy but too expensive and hard to create” trap!
And that’s exactly why I wrote this article!
I’ve seen million of images of beautiful plant wall shelves myself, but I can’t tell you how much indecision, frustration and lack of confidence all those images created for me!
Yes, those shelves are gorgeous; but where do I find all those tropical plants, all those matching pots of different size and how much is that going to cost? Do I have such a bright room? Do I need to re-paint my wall to make it loo like that? And honestly, how am I going to even reach that plant up there with a watering can???
I collected the images in this article to help you create a plant wall shelf that is doable, practical, and especially meaningful!
1. PLANTS AND SENTIMENTAL ACCENTS
Here are some examples of plant wall shelves that combine plants with sentimental accents.
Sentimental accents are decor pieces that have a personal sentimental value; like family memorabilia, objects purchased, found or collected on travels throughout the years, or meaningful objects crafted by loved ones.
In this picture, plants are scattered throughout the shelves among family pictures, travel photos and a family clock.
Photo Credit: Jonathan Wolf on Unsplash
2. PLANTS AND MEMORY PIECES
Plant wall shelves and shelfies often depict frames with all sorts of imagery. From motivational posters, to graphic and botanical art; from pictures of trendy foliage to beautiful muted tones landscapes.
In our home, picture frames are filled with memories, which means family pictures of every stage of our family life.
It takes a bit of time and patience to match, pair and contrast plants with pots, and pots with picture frames materials, colours and proportions in order to create a balanced and harmonious shelf.
The white streaks of this baby Peperomia stressed terracotta pot, help to tone down the bright terracotta orange tint that would otherwise clash with the surrounding picture frames and white shelf.
The tiny green ceramic pots used for these succulents create a connection between the upper shelf, mostly silver and white tones frames, with the bottom shelf natural wood and black tones frames. Notice how the tiny green ceramic pots are the only element in common between the two shelves?
Hey Plant Loving Woman!
Are you a middle age mom?
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Do you believe in the healing power of nature?
To reveal your #1 Personal Houseplant that best
helps you reduce your anxiety.
3. PLANTS AND MOTIVATIONAL STATEMENTS
I personally love motivational statements. Not so much because I am in desperate search of motivation and in need of a constant reminder of all the greatness I have in my life; but mostly as inspiration.
Inspiration to me is not just something to look at and to aspire to, it’s also great memories and what made them so great, and how I want these memories to continue to be part of my life.
So when I see a motivational statement that reminds me of something great or that rumbles emotions in me, I just go for it and I display it on one of my plant wall shelves.
This motivational statement sits on the shelf right above my desk and I can stare at it every time I want, every time I need. I find it very appropriate to the adventure theme that my plants are trailing their stems over the word “adventure”.
Photo Credit: Fallon Michael on Unsplash
4. PLANTS AND FAVOURITE BOOKS
I treat my favourite books like my sentimental items. Most of them are art books that I’ve collected at art galleries and exhibitions all over the world throughout the years.
Some books are biographies or novels I really enjoyed and I keep them with my art books on my plant wall shelves.
It turns out good books can make for great plant stands!
This gorgeous Nephthytis is sitting on a pile of art and design books. Books should always be aligned on one side of the shelves, and ideally, the wall facing side.
This little Pilea sits on a pile of books leaning against a bigger and heavier object that acts as wall and prevents the books from sliding off to the side. Books aligned against a wall, create a visually balanced effect, whether the books are standing vertically or lying on the shelf.
5. JUST PLANTS
Some plant wall shelves are just filled with plants!
They are beautiful!
If you are planning on simply filling your shelves with plants, there are a few important factors you should keep in mind;
- Weight – Plants are heavy! They may be planted in heavy pots with a lot of soil. Make sure your shelves are structurally sound and are installed to support the weight. (Floating shelves, even when fastened to studs may not be sturdy enough).
- Practicality – You need to water and maintain those plants! Make sure you have easy access to the top shelves for periodical waterings and you can do it without water-falling from your walls!
- Light – Different plants need different lighting levels. Make sure you have the right location for the plants you intend to buy and display. Or, if you have no choice for the location, make sure you buy the plants that are suitable for that particular location.
- Symmetry, (or not!) – Plan before you take out the hammer! Are you installing your shelves in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line? Do you have a design or pattern in mind? How are you going to distribute those plant wall shelves in your room? Make sure your shelf distribution is balanced within the room.
- Plant Species – Even though the sky is the limit when it comes to plant choices, it is worth paying attention to the care requirements of the plants you are planning to buy. Lighting needs aside, watering and humidity needs are important to consider as well as foliage tones. Try to assemble plant wall shelves with plants of similar or contrasting green tones, because believe it or not, there are tones of green that don’t go well together!
- Planters – Always make sure you have draining pots for your plants. If not, there are ways around it, (read my article on How to Plant in Pots Without Drainage Holes for more details). When your plant wall shelves only have plants, you can go semi-crazy with your planters selection as you don’t have to worry about other items on the shelf. However, make sure you have some sort of common denominator; whether it’s the type of plant or the style of pot; for example, you can have a shelf filled just with succulents that have a consistent look but that are planted in different planters. Or, you can have very different plant species that are planted in the same style and colour pot. Click here for more details on Choosing the Right Pot For Your Plants and Home.
Photo Credit: Alexis Chloe on Unsplash
Photo Credit: Tania Miron on Unsplash
In this photo: Leather Strap Shelf by KROFT
Photo Credit: Oogway on Unsplash
And there you have it!
Remember, plant wall shelves are not the only way to decorate your home with plants!
If you are looking at unique ways to decorate your home with plants, I recommend you read my article on 10 Unique Plant Decorating Ideas For Your Home.
If you are keen on having your plants on walls, you can investigate more options on 10 Plants Wall Decor Ideas For Your Home.
Hey Plant Loving Woman!
Are you a middle age mom?
Do you constantly feel overwhelmed and anxious?
Do you believe in the healing power of nature?
To reveal your #1 Personal Houseplant that best
helps you reduce your anxiety.