If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably reached the point where every flat surface in your home has become a designated plant display. Your windowsills are a jungle, your coffee table is a forest floor, and you’re one pothos away from your dining table being completely unusable. Or maybe you’d love to start a collection of plants at home but don’t think you have the space or creativity.
Space, it turns out, runs out alarmingly fast when you can’t pass up another plant. However, beyond the obvious places, our homes are secretly filled with underused nooks and crannies just begging for a touch of greenery. It’s time to get creative and transform the most mundane, everyday spaces into unexpected plant sanctuaries.
Here’s a deeper look at the overlooked places ready to host your next leafy recruit.
1. Inside the Shower
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Your shower has the potential to do more than facilitate your getting clean; it can be a five-star resort for certain plants. The daily dose of steam and warmth creates a humid, tropical environment that many species adore. Plants such as ferns, pothos, and peace lilies thrive in these conditions, adding a lush, green touch to your space.
Placing a plant in the shower transforms a mundane routine into a spa-like escape. The constant moisture means you can be a little more forgetful with the watering can. Just be sure the plant isn’t directly in the spray of the showerhead, unless you want to give it a daily power washing. A corner caddy or a hanging planter works beautifully.
2. Staircase Landing
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The staircase landing is the definition of a transitional space. It’s not quite a room, not just a hallway. We walk across it multiple times a day, usually without noticing it at all. This overlooked patch of real estate is an ideal stage for a statement plant.
A tall floor plant on a landing can add vertical interest and draw the eye upward, making the whole area feel more intentional and grand. It breaks up the architectural lines of the staircase and introduces a living element into a part of the home that is often sterile. It’s a simple move that makes a big impact, turning a functional path into a beautiful moment.
3. Laundry Room Shelf
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The laundry room might be the most underappreciated room in the house. It’s a place of chores and mysteriously disappearing socks. But the warm, humid air from your washer and dryer creates a surprisingly friendly microclimate for certain plants.
Placing a plant on a shelf here can make laundry day feel a little less like a punishment. The occasional bursts of warmth and moisture from the appliances are a bonus for humidity-loving species. A bit of green can soften the utilitarian feel of the room, making it a more pleasant space to be in. Just don’t put your plant directly on top of a vibrating machine, unless you’re trying to see if it can dance.
4. Above Kitchen Cabinets
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That awkward gap between the top of your kitchen cabinets and the ceiling often becomes a collector of dust and forgotten serving platters. It’s time to reclaim that space for something much more appealing: plants. This elevated perch is perfect for trailing varieties or low-maintenance greenery.
Plants here can create a lush, jungle-like canopy that transforms the look of your kitchen. The vines of a pothos or philodendron cascading down the side of the cabinets add softness and a touch of drama. Since this spot is out of the way, it’s ideal for plants that don’t need constant attention.
5. Garage Workbench Area
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The garage is typically reserved for cars, tools, and boxes of things you swear you’ll sort through one day. But many garages, especially the area around a workbench, get decent indirect light from a window or an open door. This makes it a suitable, if unexpected, home for some tough plants. Add budget-friendly perennials to upgrade your space.
Adding a plant to your workbench can make the space feel less like a dungeon and more like a proper workshop or studio. It introduces life into a concrete box and can even help purify the air from fumes. Hardy, forgiving plants are the way to go here, as the garage environment can fluctuate in temperature.
6. Home Gym Corner
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Your home gym is a space dedicated to well-being, so why not add an element that boosts both the air quality and your mood? A plant tucked into the corner of your workout area is a natural fit. They can thrive on the warmth and filtered light while helping the space feel calmer and more connected to nature.
Having greenery around while you exercise can have a calming effect, making your workout feel a bit less grueling. Plus, plants are excellent at improving air quality, which is a definite perk when you’re breathing heavily. A tough, low-maintenance plant won’t be bothered by your sweat or your questionable taste in workout music.
Get Inspired
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Finding new homes for your plants is a fun way to refresh your space and see your home in a new light. These overlooked spots are just waiting for a touch of green. Take a walk around your house and look at it with fresh eyes.
You might be surprised to find the perfect home for a new plant friend where you least expect it. Your next great plant location could be a staircase, a shelf, or even your shower.