The image is of Ayano Ichinoki's atelier.
When did it become common to decorate homes, offices, and stores with plants?
It's become so commonplace now that I don't even think about when it started.
However, there are several reasons why the practice of incorporating plants into spaces has become widespread.
The psychological and physiological effects of plants.
It has been scientifically proven that plants can reduce stress and provide a relaxing effect. For example, a study published by NASA in 1989 showed that plants have the ability to remove harmful substances from the air *1. In addition, there are research results showing that incorporating plants into the office environment improves employee productivity *2.
Improving the design quality of the space.
Plants are also highly valued as part of interior design, adding warmth to sterile spaces and serving as accents. In particular, in Scandinavian and Japandi-style interiors (a mix of Japanese and Scandinavian styles), designs that emphasize harmony with natural materials are favored, making plants an important element.
Changes in lifestyle
As urbanization progresses, opportunities to interact with nature on a daily basis have decreased. Therefore, it can be assumed that more and more people are seeking a connection with nature by incorporating plants into their homes.
The History of Plants Becoming Popular Indoors
The custom of decorating indoors with plants has existed since ancient times, but it has only become widely popular and commonplace through several stages.
- From Antiquity to the 17th Century: A Luxury for the Wealthy: In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the wealthy already enjoyed potted plants indoors. In China, there was also a long-standing tradition of cultivating plants indoors, as seen in bonsai culture. During the Age of Exploration in the 17th century, rare exotic plants were introduced to Europe, increasing interest in tropical plants among the nobility and wealthy.
- 19th Century (Victorian Era): Signs of Popularization in Ordinary Households: The 19th-century Victorian era had the greatest impact on the popularization of indoor plants. Advances in heating technology and developments in glass manufacturing led to the widespread use of glass greenhouses (such as Wardian cases), making it easier to grow delicate tropical plants indoors. During this period, indoor plants were widely accepted as a status symbol, even among the middle class, with palms and ferns being particularly popular.
- 20th Century onwards: Becoming more commonplace After World War II, easy-to-care-for plants began to be introduced into office environments. In particular, in the 1970s, easy-to-grow varieties became popular, and along with macrame plant hangers, a boom in decorating homes with plants on a daily basis arrived. Indoor plants became a familiar presence for more and more people.
- Modern Times: In recent years, decorating homes, offices, and stores with plants has become even more common and commonplace as a part of one's lifestyle, due to factors such as increased time spent at home during the pandemic, a growing awareness of the need to connect with nature, and the popularity of "botanical life" on social media.
So, can we expect a similar effect even if it's not a real plant, for example, with a drawing of a plant?
While it may not have exactly the same effect, it certainly has enough power to provide psychological relaxation and change the impression of the space.
Visual healing
Studies have shown that looking at images or paintings of plants can evoke associations with nature and lead to relaxation*3. In fact, there are many research results showing that decorating the walls of medical facilities and offices with paintings of natural landscapes can reduce stress, and I have experienced this myself.
Florence Nightingale, in her book "Notes on Nursing, " also discussed "the influence of the environment on patient recovery," emphasizing the importance of "light, air, quiet, and beautiful scenery." She pointed out that visual elements such as the view from the hospital room window or paintings on the wall affect the patient's mental state and help recovery※4.
Harmony as an element of interior design.
Unlike fresh flowers or potted plants, plant paintings require no maintenance while still creating a natural atmosphere. In particular, watercolor paintings and botanical art blend easily into simple spaces, serving as an elegant accent.
Most people will probably say, "I already knew that," except for the minor details. But when you realize that what you vaguely felt is backed up by actual research and experiments, it really makes you feel convinced. Both real plants and botanical art can exert their quiet power in your daily life. Be sure to find the joy of creating a "space that's all your own" in your own way.
We also have several works of art depicting plants in our store, so please take a look.
Botanical Illustrations https://agoodview.jp/collections/botanical
*1. Author: Wolverton, BC, et al.
NASA research has shown that indoor plants can remove 10-70% of harmful substances (such as benzene and formaldehyde) from the air. However, this experiment was conducted in a sealed environment, so a considerable number of plants may be needed to achieve similar effects in a typical living space.
※2. Author: Bringslimark, T., et al.
We investigated the psychological effects of potted plants in office environments and suggested in 2007 that they could contribute to stress reduction and increased productivity.
*3. Author: Kaplan, R. & Kaplan, S.
She researched the impact of natural environments on human cognition and psychology, and published her findings in 1989. She proposed the Attention Restoration Theory, which states that viewing nature can reduce stress and restore attention.
*4. Author: Florence Nightingale.
This book, written by Florence Nightingale in 1860, laid the foundation for modern nursing. It's not merely a technical manual, but a practical guide outlining "what nurses should do to help patients recover."
