As homes and outdoor spaces 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.
As pretty as they are practical, green walls also promote biodiversity by encouraging insect and bird activity, particularly in urban areas. Plus, their vertical design means you can promote a diverse environment without sacrificing space!
Green walls and vertical gardens are a mainstay in indoor and outdoor design as architects and homeowners strive to create spaces that reduce stress and enhance air quality. 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 for building your own DIY green wall, from a few simple climbers to a complete wall of foliage. You could even consider creating 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
Firstly, one of the most accessible green wall ideas is to use plants that do all the work! Create distinctive designs with a combination of climbers and plants to grow a living curtain of foliage against your boundary wall.
Green wall planters
Alternatively, explore wall planters. Think outside the box and look around for items you already have that could be repurposed. Popular upcycled wall planter designs include shoe organisers, wine racks, old PVC pipes, or wooden pallets.
Further, Grow flowers, greenery, fruit or vegetables, depending on your preference. Comparatively consider using artificial greenery for a lighter and low-maintenance option.
Take inspiration from a homeowner who chose a striking mural for her ModularWalls boundary wall and finished the look with complementary planters.
Create a solid green wall
A solid living wall is ideal for hiding unsightly infrastructure or creating a beautiful feature wall. Accordingly, repurpose picture frames, hang old pallets, or add wire to train plants. Be sure to consider the total weight of what you’re hanging (particularly after they’ve been watered) to ensure a safe, secure green wall design.
Integrated green walls
Creating a green wall from a garden bed is easier than you might think. TerraFirm®’s revolutionary standalone retaining capabilities allow homeowners to create a garden bed or planter box in a style that perfectly complements their wall or fence. Plus, a thriving garden bed complete with bountiful hedges is a great starting point for establishing a green wall, as a defined boundary will protect the roots of plants, allowing them to flourish.
Themed green walls
Consider what type of vertical garden you want to grow. Choose a green wall that complements the theme of your home, or contrarily, choose a contrasting theme – the options are endless!
Remember 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:
- Succulent excellence – indulge in the geometric beauty of these sturdy 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!
- Jungle oasis – think ferns, moss and palms
Create a vertical garden with ModularWalls
Consider adding a touch of green to your ModularWalls fence or wall to create a feature that seamlessly integrates into your outdoor space.
Whether you create a feature panel with trailing wall planters, grow climbers up against the posts or install trellis wire, it’s easier than ever to create your very own living modular wall! For more detailed advice on specific weights and panel spans, please contact our friendly team.
Indoor green walls
Bring the health benefits of plants into your home in a stylish way. With planning, you can not only create a fresh feeling for your home but also address problem areas such as:
- Firstly, purifying stagnant air and removing irritants and toxins.
- Secondly, reducing stress and an increased sense of serenity.
- Thirdly, increased productivity in workplaces (including home offices or homework corners).
- Lastly, cooling the overall environment.
Moreover, 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, ensure you’ve protected the wall surface against moisture damage when watering the plant.
Endless green wall options
In conclusion, in a world where space is at a premium, green walls turn compact spaces into lush paradises. The versatility of DIY green walls opens a world of possibilities; from whimsical designs with climbers and trailing plants to tiered garden beds, the choices are only limited by your imagination. Above all, green walls have become more than just a trend—they’re a lifestyle revolution.
