The answer to this post is absolutely. And we aren’t talking about adding them to your bedroom (which is obvious), but more importantly: in the workplace, restaurants, cafes, and hotels.
When designing a large project, the smaller details can become lost and be easily forgotten, which can translate to insignificance. If it’s such a small addition, then why bother? The argument is this: design is always in the details no matter how small, and they can make or break the impression on the customer. Would you give your child a cake for their birthday that has no colorful decoration, no message, no candles? Sure, you could, but it would leave them feeling pretty unimportant.
[Photo: Piada, Lyon, France]
So, why plants? Berlin-based interior designer, Amy Brandhorst, says, “Nature works as mental tonic based on the concept of Biophilia – our innate connection with nature. We are significantly and substantially happier outdoors and in green environments than in urban environments.” In today’s computer-heavy labor economy, the average individual spends 90% of their time indoors. Bringing nature into the workplace has long been associated with promoting happiness and productivity among employees, and while there are other ways to accessorize these spaces, live plants benefit mental health. Because of this, some companies have begun to integrate plant life into modern workspaces and open plan offices by incorporating flexible solutions like modular desk systems with planters to act as privacy panels.
[Photo: New Territory, London-based design studio]
The same argument can be made when discussing the use of greenery in restaurants and hotels. The customer’s experience is the utmost priority – not just their physical experience, but their emotional one as well. Accessorizing in the hospitality industry is typically a struggle, and from an operations viewpoint, it creates more maintenance. Live plants need sunlight, water, and attention while faux plants require regular dusting. However, there have been studies that suggest having plants in public spaces (or even guestrooms) can increase revenue in hotels, and some are listening.
The Kimpton Gray hotel in Chicago partnered with the city’s Garfield Park Conservatory this past fall to create a “plant pop-up hotel”, where guests had the option to book a plant-themed guestroom loaded with indoor plants or choose a single indoor plant for their standard guestroom. This idea emerged after a survey was conducted on travel booking site Orbitz, where 63% of millennial travelers reported that the hotel amenity they would most like to see more of in their rooms is foliage. In addition, 61% of respondents said that plants boost their overall mood and 24% revealed they would spend $50 to $100 more for a plant-filled room.
[Photo: The desert room at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago / Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune]
[Photo: The desert room at the Kimpton Gray Hotel in Chicago / Erin Hooley, Chicago Tribune]
Restaurants and cafes are other interior spaces where greenery is emerging consistently. Not only do plants provide a pop of colorful texture, they make the environment feel alive and fresh and that connects back to the customers. Whether you’re placing a small, simple succulent in the center of each dining table or creating a plant-filled ceiling design like the Le Brebant in Paris below, these details are impactful to the overall dining experience. They make it inviting, memorable, and comfortable, leading to lengthier stays, repeat visits, and more business.
[Photo: Le Brebant, Paris, France)
When customers feel at home, they are more likely to stay or return. As designers, it’s not just our job to focus on the obvious needs and wants of our clients, but also the subconscious ones. Sure, plants make a room look appealing, but they do so much more than we realize. At Millcraft, we explore the most cost-effective greenery solutions to achieve the desired atmosphere of your space. If plant care definitely isn’t in the cards, there are plenty of alternative options you can opt for, such as faux indoor plants or nature-themed wallcovering. Tricking the mind into thinking plants are around is better than not having them at all. Contact us today to see how you can bring your space back to life!
Sources:
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/opinion/4087721.html
https://www.afar.com/magazine/are-house-plants-the-new-must-have-hotel-room-amenity
