As our backyards become more compact, we look for creative DIY ideas to green our living spaces and reap the benefits for our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. Enter the green wall trend; an instant teleportation from urban madness to lush paradise.
Green walls and vertical gardens have been a growing trend in home design, as architects and homeowners alike strive to create living spaces that reduce stress, enhance air quality and even reduce energy consumption. They’re a great way to breathe new life into unsightly areas or add greenery to spaces that can’t support a traditional garden.
Vertical garden options
There are plenty of options when it comes to building your own DIY green wall. From a few simple climbers, to a complete wall of foliage; or even a balcony oasis by installing green wall panels onto the railings! Do some research and choose a design that best matches your space and preferred maintenance levels.
Whimsical green walls
First of all, one of the easiest green wall ideas is to use plants that do all the work! Create distinctive designs with a combination of climbers and trailing plants to grow a living curtain of foliage against your boundary wall.
Wall planters
Alternatively, you could take the next step with wall planters. Like any great DIY ideas, think outside the box and have a look around for items you already have that could be repurposed. Popular upcycled wall planter designs include shoe organisers, wine racks, old PVC pipes, recycled soft drink bottles, empty tin cans or wooden pallets.
You can attach them to walls and fences, stack, hang or free stand them. Grow flowers, greenery, fruit or vegetables depending on your preference. As a lighter and low maintenance alternative, consider utilising artificial greenery.
Solid green walls
Finally, we have the mother of all green wall designs; the solid living wall! This option is ideal for hiding unsightly infrastructure or adding a beautiful feature wall. Repurpose picture frames, hang old pallets, add wire to train plants or use your own customised plan. Always consider the total weight of what you’re hanging, especially after they’ve been watered, to ensure a safe green wall design.
Themed green walls
Consider what type of vertical garden you want to grow. Keep in mind that plants need the right amount of sunlight and water to flourish; try grouping plants with similar light and water needs
Some popular choices include:
- Jungle oasis – think ferns, moss and palms
- Succulent excellence – indulge in the geometric beauty of these low maintenance plants
- Heavenly air plants – species like Spanish moss, bromeliads and pink quill plants don’t need soil, making them a light, easy vertical garden option
- Edible delights – combine the benefits of herb gardens with the beauty of vertical gardens!
- Artificial green wall panels – popular amongst those who are time poor, are nervous about the maintenance or lack the luck of a green thumb!
Add a vertical garden to your ModularWalls
Did you know you can green up ModularWalls? Create a feature panel with trailing wall planters, grow climbers up against the posts or install trellis wire to create your very own living modular wall! For more detailed advice on specific weights and panel spans, simply get in touch with our friendly team.
Indoor green walls
Bring the health benefits of plants into your home in a stylish way. With planning, you can use them to not only beautify your home but also address ongoing problem areas such as:
- Purifying stagnant air and removing irritants and toxins
- Reducing stress and creating serene relaxation spaces
- Improving memory and concentration
- Increased productivity in workplaces – including home offices or homework corners
- Boosting immune systems
- Cooling the environment
For those with limited floor space, indoor feature walls are an excellent alternative to pot plants. Use green wall planters, trained climbing plants with wire frameworks, wooden boxes, or hanging glass bowls. If you’re using wall planters, simply ensure you’ve protected the wall surface against any moisture damage when watering the plant.
This is a guest post by Designer Plants, the experts in artificial vertical gardens and greenery.
