Hanging Plants Are The Door Alternative You Need To Connect Small Spaces

It can be difficult to decorate an empty doorway in a home. Leaving it blank can make the space feel disjointed and unfinished, but the common options may not make sense for your decor style. Options for door alternatives that you may have heard of include fabric curtains or shades, beaded strings, and intricately tied ropes. While these can look great in some homes, they can look bulky or discordant in others, especially in ones with a more minimalist or contemporary aesthetic. Instead, there is a solution that adds some life to an empty doorway and can even improve indoor air quality – artistically draping the entry with vines of houseplants.

This idea uses a couple of houseplants and some hooks. The houseplants are hung near the doorway, and the vines are positioned using small hooks. The result is an elegant framing that has more color and visual interest while staying natural and somewhat minimalistic. Combine this project with a stunning DIY hanging planter to liven up your home, and you can really customize the look. The idea is simple and easy, but there are some things to consider before you begin, such as which plants to use and how to maintain them so they stay healthy and strong while growing in your doorway. Once you have your elegant greenery solution, spend time experimenting with the wide variety of ways to shape your climbing plants around the frame.

The first thing to consider when choosing houseplants for this project is the level of light your doorway receives because depending on the light level, you may need to adjust your plant choice. For example, if your doorway is quite dark and far from any windows, you may need to find indoor plants that do not need much sun to survive. If your doorway is right next to a window and receives direct sunlight for four or more hours, a sun-loving plant should be a good fit for your space. Once you have an understanding of the kind of light the plants will get in your doorway, you can search for different varieties to get the look you want. 

Another thing to consider if you already have a substantial houseplant collection is to try out this idea with your existing plants. This may be the perfect solution, or it may give you a better idea of what your vision is for the space. You might prefer a denser plant that takes up more space, or you might want a thinner vine that is more subtle. You can also decide between different styles of plants, such as choosing between a tropical plant like golden pothos (Epipremmum aureum) or a woody vine like an ivy (Hedera). Both houseplants are easy to care for and will give you different aesthetic results. Finally, if you have pets, remember to consider the toxicity of the plants before hanging them, and if all else fails, consider faux vines.

With your plant or plants chosen, you can start experimenting with the design of your doorway. You can do this using wall adhesives like these ZIBo Plant Climbing Wall Fixture Clips on Amazon for $8.99 that stick to the walls and discreetly hold the vines in place. One option is to hang a planter in each upper corner of the doorway and clip the leaves to the upper inner doorframe. This is a good shape for a door in the center of the room, as having a plant on each side will look balanced. If your doorway is closer to a corner, you can try hanging just one plant in the door frame and draping its vines across the entryway in a similar manner. Another strategy is to strategically hang the plant so it is visible from only one room. Hang the plant from the wall or ceiling in the desired room and drape the plant just above the doorway. You will still get a lovely framing effect, and the whole doorway will be open.

Be sure to continue to follow the care guidelines recommended for whichever houseplant you choose. Plus, keep in mind that climbing plants will grow towards their light source, which may leave you with some strange patterns. Pruning regularly can help you keep the plants healthy and in the shape you want. If you love the look of your new green design, there are more unique ways to decorate your home with plants.