many people especially in the urban areas live in rental apartments with limited spaces, strict landlords and houses without personalization in appearance.many plant owners face challanges in such environments especially where landlords strictly discourage in drilling walls or painting therefore making it impossible for many people to have pieces of art on their walls as they are pleased.
In this article today ,we explore how you can replace paintings with indoor plants to have the same value as the other forms of art while serving other purposes in the room such as air purification ,creating a calming environment and insect repelance in the homes.
Rental apartments are characterized by minimal spaces in the rooms especially for bedsitters in kenya,indoor plants require small spaces especially the ones that cant fit any important house essentials,The best solution is the placement of indoor plants.
Indoor plants can also be placed in shared spaces for the rental apartments to increase the aesthetic value of the rooms since plants especially the well maintained flowering plants easily win the hearts of many tenants
Why Indoor Plants Are Perfect for Rental Apartments
indoor plants are ideal for many reasons in rentals such as :
- No permanent changes are required -unlike for the drawings and other pieces of art that are attached to walls,plants can be easily relocated without causing any difficulties and extra costs
- Affordable decor option -Indoor plants have a range of prices depending on the type of the plants ,size and geographical location.one can also decide to domesticate plants found in the locality and zero costs This minimizes the costs as compared to other types of home art
- Improved air quality and mood -some plants have the ability to purify the air in home spaces while creating a relaxing and calm environment boosting mood in the home space
- Easy to move around while relocating -indoor plants are never bulky hence offering the easy of moving them around
- it doubles as decor and wellness - The plants create a conducive environment in homes while contributing to the mental stability of the occupants
- No permanent changes are required -unlike for the drawings and other pieces of art that are attached to walls,plants can be easily relocated without causing any difficulties and extra costs
- Affordable decor option -Indoor plants have a range of prices depending on the type of the plants ,size and geographical location.one can also decide to domesticate plants found in the locality and zero costs This minimizes the costs as compared to other types of home art
- Improved air quality and mood -some plants have the ability to purify the air in home spaces while creating a relaxing and calm environment boosting mood in the home space
- Easy to move around while relocating -indoor plants are never bulky hence offering the easy of moving them around
- it doubles as decor and wellness - The plants create a conducive environment in homes while contributing to the mental stability of the occupants
Choosing the right plants for rental spaces
This section is all about selecting plants that fit the reality of rental living limited space, unpredictable lighting,and the need for flexibility when moving. The goal is not just to pick beautiful plants, but to choose ones that are practical, adaptable, and stress-free to maintain.
1.Low-Maintenance Plants
In rental apartments, especially in Kenyan towns where daily routines can be busy, you don’t want plants that demand constant attention. Low-maintenance plants are forgiving they can survive irregular watering and still look good.some plants like Snake Plant are ideal because they can go for long periods without water and still thrive. This makes them perfect for people who travel or forget to water regularly.This enables you to: avoid plant loss, reduce stress, and maintain a neat-looking space without too much effort.
2. Compact Plants
Most rental apartments especially bedsitters or one-bedroom units which don’t have a lot of extra space. Large plants can quickly make a room feel crowded instead of stylish.
Compact plants fit easily on:
Compact plants fit easily on:
- Window sills
- Small shelves
- Tables
Plants like Pothos grow vertically or trail downward instead of spreading wide, making them ideal for tight spaces.this helps you to keep your room feeling open and organized while still enjoying greenery feel in your room.
3. Multi-Purpose Plants
by choosing plants that are not just decorative but also useful.For instance, Aloe Vera is not only visually appealing but also has medicinal uses like soothing burns or skin irritation. Similarly, herbs can be used for cooking or tea. this enables you to get more value from each plant beauty, health, and practicality all in one.
4. Low-Light Tolerant Plants
Not all rental houses have large windows or strong natural light. Some rooms, especially in apartments, can be dim for most of the day.Plants that tolerate low light, like Peace Lily, can still survive and look healthy even without direct sunlight.You don’t have to struggle trying to “fix” lighting conditions instead, you choose plants that naturally adapt.
Simple Takeaway
Choosing the right plants for a rental space is about working with your environment, not against it. When you go for:
- Low-maintenance plants
- Space-saving varieties
- Functional (herbal) plants
- Light-tolerant species
Space Saving Plant Styling Ideas
If you have ever tried decorating a small apartment or bedsitter with plants, you already know the struggle space disappears quickly. One minute your room feels open, the next it feels crowded just because you added two or three pots. The trick is not to avoid plants, but to style them intelligently so they work with your space, not against it.
Vertical Plant Styling
When floor space is limited, the smartest move is to go vertical. Instead of spreading plants across the room, you just do it upwards, which actually makes the space feel bigger and more organized.
Trailing plants like Pothos are perfect for this because they naturally grow downward, creating a soft effect that feels stylish without taking up much space.
Trailing plants like Pothos are perfect for this because they naturally grow downward, creating a soft effect that feels stylish without taking up much space.
In a bedsitter, you can:
- Use adhesive hooks
- Hang lightweight pots near windows
- Let the plant trail along a wall or a shelf
What makes this approach powerful is that it turns an empty wall into a living design feature. Instead of cluttering your floor, your plants become part of the room’s structure.
Window Sill Gardening
Most rental apartments, no matter how small, have at least one window. That window is more than just a source of light it’s prime real estate for plant styling. Window sills are perfect for small, functional plants like Basil or Mint. These not only look fresh and vibrant but also give you something useful for your kitchen.
In a typical Kenyan setup:
In a typical Kenyan setup:
- A kitchen window can double as a mini herb garden
- A bedroom window can hold 2–3 small decorative pots
- Even a narrow sill can support slim containers
There’s something naturally calming about seeing green where light enters your space. It creates a subtle connection between indoors and outdoors, which is especially valuable in compact living environments.
Shelf Styling
Shelves are often underused in rental spaces. Many people use them only for books or storage, but they can easily become one of the most beautiful plant styling areas in your home.
The key here is balance. Instead of filling every shelf with plants, mix them with other items books, small decor pieces, or even storage containers.
Compact plants like Snake Plant work well on shelves because they grow upright and they don’t spread too much.
A simple shelf setup might look like:
The key here is balance. Instead of filling every shelf with plants, mix them with other items books, small decor pieces, or even storage containers.
Compact plants like Snake Plant work well on shelves because they grow upright and they don’t spread too much.
A simple shelf setup might look like:
- One plant on the top shelf
- A mix of books and a small plant on the middle shelf
- A trailing plant on the edge for a soft finish
This layered approach keeps your space feeling styled rather than overcrowded. It also allows you to enjoy plants at eye level, which adds to the overall experience of the room.
Corner Plant Setups
Corners are often ignored in small apartments, yet they are some of the easiest places to add plants without interfering with movement.
Instead of leaving a corners empty, you can turn it into a focal point with just one or two well-chosen plants.
For example:
Instead of leaving a corners empty, you can turn it into a focal point with just one or two well-chosen plants.
For example:
- A medium-sized plant placed in a simple pot
- A small stool or stand to elevate the plant slightly
- A second smaller plant beside it for depth
Plants like Peace Lily work beautifully here because they have a soft, full appearance that fills space without looking messy.
This kind of setup adds life to the room while still keeping everything functional i you’re not blocking walkways or making the space feel tight.
This kind of setup adds life to the room while still keeping everything functional i you’re not blocking walkways or making the space feel tight.
Small-Space Hacks for Bedsitters
Bedsitters come with their own challenges limited floor space, combined living and sleeping areas, and sometimes minimal lighting. But with a few smart adjustments, you can still create a plant-filled space that feels intentional.
Here are a few practical tricks that that you can work with:
Here are a few practical tricks that that you can work with:
- Use of multi-purpose surfaces: Your study table, TV stand, or even fridge top can hold small plants
- Stick to a few well placed plants: Too many plants in a bedsitter can quickly feel overwhelming
- Go for lightweight pots: Easier to move when rearranging or cleaning
- Create mini clusters: Instead of spreading plants everywhere, group 2–3 plants in one spot
- Use height variation: Combine a floor plant, a shelf plant, and a hanging plant to create depth without crowding
Why This Approach Works
What makes space-saving styling effective is not just the placement of plants, but the intention behind it. You’re not just adding greenery you’re designing your space in a way that respects its size.
Instead of overcrowding, you create flow.
Instead of filling space, you highlight it.
And in a rental apartment, where you can’t make permanent changes, this kind of thoughtful styling is what truly makes a place feel like home.
Instead of overcrowding, you create flow.
Instead of filling space, you highlight it.
And in a rental apartment, where you can’t make permanent changes, this kind of thoughtful styling is what truly makes a place feel like home.
Tags
Styling & decor