The Urban Jungle style is here to stay! Incorporate more nature into your design with this style full of personality.
Imagine a home completely integrated with nature.
If what came to mind is a house in the countryside, or a farm, then you need to learn about one of the most interesting trends in interior design: the Urban Jungle.
The English expression already sets the tone of the proposal: urban means urban, typical of big cities, and jungle means forest or wilderness. They seem like two very distant concepts, but this style unites nature and the urban environment in an easily applicable way.
A modern and very dynamic style.
Until recently, caring for plants in an apartment seemed impossible. With the internet and YouTube tutorials, a movement of young people around the world interested in learning more about the subject emerged. Now, everyone can have their own garden or vegetable patch at home, even in small spaces.
Caring for nature brings a feeling of well-being and comfort to any environment, in addition to being a hobby that reduces anxiety levels. From there, the Urban Jungle trend grew and became a very popular style among young people in big cities who want to introduce more life and nature into their daily routine.
How to apply the Urban Jungle style
It’s easy to incorporate the Urban Jungle style into your decorating project. Just follow a few basic principles:
Understand your possibilities.
First of all, it’s important to thoroughly understand the possibilities of the space where you’ll be creating your Urban Jungle.
Map out the areas where the sun shines most frequently, and at what times. This is crucial for choosing the right plant species and their placement.
Some plants like the morning sun, others the afternoon sun, while some prefer indirect light, such as sunlight filtered through a window or curtain. There are also species that don’t need much sun and thrive in those corners less favored by sunlight.
Choose your plants
Consider these factors when choosing and arranging plants:
The first you’ve already seen: sunlight exposure. Therefore, it’s important to determine which areas receive the most sunlight.
The second criterion is pedestrian traffic. Plants shouldn’t obstruct movement, whether they’re in pots on the floor or on elevated stands. Take this criterion into account, especially when investing in plants that spread outwards, such as certain species of ferns.
The third criterion is more subjective: which plants do you like best? Do thorough research before choosing to discover new species that appeal to your taste, and to learn more about the ones you already like. Even a visit to a nursery to talk to a specialist is worthwhile!
Play with different heights.
One tip is to play with the heights at which you place the plants.
Hanging pots and elevated stands serve this purpose. In addition, different sizes and heights of pots, or even placing them on wooden shelves or wall hooks, help create a composition that enhances the space.
Another option is to invest in vertical gardens, which look great in areas with plenty of sunlight and ventilation. They add charm to any space, whether large or small, and can even occupy an entire wall, as in the photo below, from a project of our own design: a restroom for the Casa Cor Rio 2013 exhibition, where the vertical garden on the facade makes a big impact immediately.
The green beyond the foliage
The color green is predominant in the Urban Jungle style, but it appears in other forms besides plants.
Walls painted in shades of green and even decorative details and objects in this color evoke nature and help to increase the feeling of well-being that plants bring.
Which plants should I choose for my urban jungle?
Let’s look at some plants that are quite common in the Urban Jungle style, and that bring charm to your project:
Figueira-lira (Ficus lyrata)
This plant doesn’t grow much horizontally, so it’s ideal for small spaces. It thrives in bright environments and needs moist soil.
Columneia (Columneia microphylla)
Also known as the Lipstick Plant, the Columnea prefers semi-shaded environments with some humidity in the air, and does not require waterlogged soil. It is ideal for elevated supports, as its branches spread downwards. Beautiful reddish flowers emerge from them.
Succulents and Cacti
Succulents have become favorites among those who want to start caring for plants at home, as they don’t require much care. They thrive in sunny environments and don’t need frequent watering. Therefore, they are best suited for spaces near windows with plenty of sunlight.
Zamioculca (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
A plant that likes shade or partial shade, the Zamioculcas requires watering once or twice a week. It looks beautiful in decorative pots on the floor, with its large, heavy leaves of a very intense green.
The Urban Jungle trend is here to stay, and in addition to adding charm to environments, it introduces habits into your routine that bring lightness and harmony to your daily life.
Want to know more about the Urban Jungle trend? Contact us! We can help you include this style in your project.