What size artificial plant suits your interior? Here’s how to choose the right height
You’ve found a lovely artificial plant or tree, but then the next question arises: what size artificial plant will actually suit your interior? Is 140 cm tall enough? Would it be better to go for a 180 cm artificial plant? Or does that tall, empty corner actually call for an artificial tree over 2 metres tall?
It can be tricky to gauge online just how big artificial plants actually look in your home. A difference of 30 centimetres might not seem that significant in a product photo, but it can make quite a difference in your living room.
What’s more, height isn’t the only factor. The ceiling height, the width of the artificial plant, the decorative pot and its position in the room all determine whether the proportions are right. These tips will help you choose the right size artificial plant or tree for your interior.
Start with the height of your ceiling
The same artificial plant can look completely different in two different homes. Do you have a home with a relatively low ceiling? In that case, an 180 cm artificial plant can already be quite an eye-catcher. In a home with high ceilings, that same plant might look a bit smaller, so you might want to consider an artificial tree measuring 200 or 210 cm.
You often see this, for example, in older homes with high ceilings and tall windows. The space simply calls for different proportions than a compact flat or a new-build home.
So don’t just look at the dimensions of the artificial plant, but also at the space above it. A large artificial plant should feel free to take up height. In fact, in a room with a high ceiling, a plant that’s too small can actually look a bit lost.
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What height of artificial plant should you choose?
There’s no set rule for the perfect height. However, you can use the measurements below as a guide.
Artificial plants and small artificial trees up to around 100 cm
Small artificial plants measuring around 60 to 100 cm are ideal if you want to add some greenery without the plant dominating the space.
For example, they work well
- on or next to a sideboard;
- in the kitchen;
- in a small corner;
- on a raised platform or side table;
- in a home office;
- in a smaller living room.
A small artificial plant can also look lovely if you want to group several plants together.
Artificial plants from 120 to 150 cm
From around 120 cm, an artificial plant starts to look much more like a real floor plant. This size is ideal if you want to add height but don’t necessarily want to place a large artificial tree as a statement piece in the room. An artificial plant measuring 120 or 140 cm, for example, can look lovely next to an armchair, a cupboard or a sideboard. This size also works well in a smaller living room.
Artificial plants and trees from 150 to 180 cm
This is an interesting size for the living room. An artificial plant or tree measuring 180 cm is tall enough to make a real statement without automatically dominating the whole room.
Place it, for example, in an empty corner of the living room, next to the sofa or in a spacious kitchen-diner. Do you have an average ceiling height of 240–260 cm? Then an artificial tree of around 180 cm often feels like a fully-fledged part of the interior.
Artificial trees from 180 to 210 cm and taller
Do you have plenty of space or a high ceiling? Then you can think bigger. A large artificial tree measuring 180, 200 or 210 cm can be a stunning focal point in a spacious living room, a high-ceilinged hall or an open-plan kitchen-diner.
This size works particularly well under high ceilings. The artificial tree not only fills an empty space on the floor but also adds height to the interior. And that might be exactly what a large space needs.
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A tall artificial tree for an old house or high ceiling
Older houses often have something that delights interior design enthusiasts: beautiful high ceilings. But such a high ceiling also presents a styling challenge.
When all the furniture, accessories and plants are concentrated in the lower part of the room, a lot of empty space can be left at the top. A tall artificial tree helps to visually tie the space together.
Consider, for example, an airy artificial eucalyptus tree, a tall olive tree, an elegant nasturtium or another artificial tree with a long trunk and a crown that reaches high up.
If your ceiling is much higher than average, an artificial plant measuring 120 or 140 cm can quickly look a bit small. A model measuring 180 cm or even 210 cm often looks much better in such a space.
Do you have a lower ceiling instead? Then an artificial tree certainly doesn’t have to be small. Just make sure there’s enough space between the top of the plant and the ceiling. This prevents the artificial plant from looking as though it’s literally crammed into the room.
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Don’t just look at the height, but also at the width
Two artificial trees measuring 180 cm can look completely different. For example, an artificial Ficus Lyrata with large, full leaves takes up more visual space than an airy eucalyptus tree with delicate leaves. and the 180 cm version for larger, open spaces.
When choosing an artificial plant, therefore, always consider:
- the total height;
- the width of the crown;
- the size of the leaves;
- how dense or airy the plant is;
- the shape of the trunk and branches.
A slender 180 cm artificial tree can fit perfectly in a smaller living room, whilst a very full artificial plant of the same height might look too bulky.
Don’t forget the decorative pot
When choosing the right size of artificial plant, you shouldn’t just look at the height of the plant itself. You can also add quite a bit of height with the decorative pot.
After all, an artificial plant doesn’t always have to sit right at the bottom of the decorative pot. Is the pot taller? Then you could, for example, fill it with sturdy cardboard or floral foam and place the artificial plant higher up in the pot. Depending on the size of the pot, you can easily create a few centimetres to as much as 50 cm of extra height this way.
This opens up plenty of possibilities when styling an artificial plant. For example, have you found an 180 cm artificial tree that’s perfect in shape, but would you like it to stand just a little taller in your interior? With a tall decorative pot and the right filling, you can bring the total height up to 200 cm or even higher.
Do bear the proportions in mind, though. A large artificial tree requires a decorative pot with sufficient size and visual weight, whilst a smaller artificial plant might look lost in a very large pot.
So don’t just look at the height of the artificial plant or tree, but at the complete picture: plant + decorative pot + the height at which you place the plant in the pot. This way, choosing a decorative pot gives you much more freedom to position the artificial plant at exactly the right height for your interior.
A 150, 180 or 210 cm artificial plant? Measure it out at home
Are you unsure which size to choose? Then we have a very simple tip. Grab a tape measure.
Measure 150, 180 and 210 cm up from the floor
If you like, stick a small piece of masking tape on the wall at each height.
Then step back a few metres.
You’ll now have a much better idea of what those different heights look like in your home. You could do the same for the width. This gives you a much more realistic idea of the size in advance than simply looking at a product photo on your phone. Don’t forget that an artificial plant needs to be unfolded once you’ve received it. By shaping the branches and leaves, it reaches its final volume and can therefore appear wider than when it’s first taken out of the box.
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Artificial plants and trees: dare to look at the space
When choosing an artificial plant or tree, we’re sometimes afraid of going too big. But a plant that’s too small can actually get lost in an interior. Take a look at your ceiling, furniture and available floor space. Then think about the role you want the artificial plant to play.
Do you want a subtle touch of greenery? Then a smaller artificial plant could be perfect. Do you want to fill a bare corner or add height to your living room? Then a large artificial plant or tree can certainly make an impression.
And if you’re torn between 150 and 180 cm or between 180 and 210 cm? Why not measure it out at home? You’ll be surprised how much of a difference those few centimetres can make.
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