Interior Landscapes
for Exceptional Spaces
We Are Your Biophilic Design Partner
We work with designers and property managers to enrich commercial spaces through nature-inspired design.
Captivating biophilic designs that add natural vibrancy and inspiration to:
- Class A office buildings
- Innovative corporate offices
- Luxury hotels and hospitality venues
- Leading healthcare facilities
- Discerning retail establishments
- Exclusive condominium buildings
Known for a best in class, in-house design team, a vast and unique selection of plants and display vessels, precision install and meticulous upkeep, Amlings has been a trusted community partner in Chicago for over 125 years.
When to Choose Amlings?
Clients come to us for different reasons – but stay with us for a lifetime. We pride ourselves in long-term partnerships, working with clients as design partners for all things greenery: interior landscaping, blooming plant and fresh floral displays, urbanscaping, and holiday decor.
Building Remodels
When businesses, offices or hospitality spaces refresh their environments, we elevate the look with design-forward plant installations that feel intentional and modern.
New Projects & Additions
From ground-up builds to new additions, we collaborate with architects and designers to ensure interiors open with impact.
Leadership Changes
New hires and promotions can bring updates to a company’s brand and their spaces. We help guide companies as they refresh their spaces and embark on implementation of their new vision.
Contract Lifecycle
As plant service contracts come up for renewal, many properties take the opportunity to upgrade their plant program—and choose Amlings for a more design-driven approach.
We are Designers First
Exceptional plant displays begin with inspired design. Unlike a traditional plant service, we’re an interior design company first.
Every plant and container we recommend complements your property’s brand, art, and audience. Our horticultural experts bring that vision to life, choosing species that thrive in the specific environmental conditions of your space.
For ongoing care, our plant displays are maintained by professional technicians at museum-level quality to protect your investment and your brand.
Rooted in Chicago, we work seamlessly with building managers and engineers to meet the rigorous standards and protocols of the most demanding properties.
Our Services
Interior Landscape Design & Installation
We integrate plants and nature-inspired design into corporate and hospitality spaces with elegance and intention. Every project is thoughtfully tailored—considering your architecture, brand and audience—to elevate the environment and your reputation.
Sourcing only the highest-grade live plants and premium containers from trusted partners across the country, our designer-led process guarantees your space reaches its full potential. Whether through purchase or lease, Amlings delivers interior landscapes that complete your space.
Ongoing Maintenance
Our horticultural specialists provide reliable care to ensure your plants—and your property—always look flawless. With a deep understanding of plant health and performance, we anticipate issues before they surface, protecting your investment and keeping every detail pristine.
Living Plant Walls
We design and maintain striking plant walls that transform spaces into bold statements. Amlings is at the forefront of this evolving trend in Chicago, offering both design expertise and long-term care.
Exterior Displays
The right collection of outdoor planting can liven any urban exterior space—from front entry planters and rooftop gardens to sidewalk cafés and parkway installations. The right combination of color, texture, and form transforms the outdoors into a vibrant, welcoming extension of your property.
Holiday & Seasonal Installations
From five-star hotels to Class A office buildings, we design seasonal displays that captivate guests and celebrate the spirit of the season. Our festive environments create a sense of wonder and sophistication—leaving impressions long after the holidays are over.
Portfolio
Interior Landscape Design & Installation
Living Plant Walls
Exterior Displays
Holiday & Seasonal Installations
Custom Arrangements
News
Whether you’re a sprawling "beautiful mess" or a curated minimalist, your desk habits say a lot more about your personality than you might think. Just like the plants we keep (or try to keep alive) in our offices, every professional has their own unique "growth style."
Are you the resilient type that thrives on a little chaos, or do you need a perfectly structured environment to truly bloom? From your "Deep Work" playlist to how you handle a surprise calendar invite, this quiz will dig into your daily rituals to find your botanical twin.
Answer these 9 questions to discover which plant matches your desk personality!
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From styling retail walls to transforming full-scale commercial spaces, our designers come from all kinds of creative paths. For one of our Senior Designers and Project Managers, that journey started with fashion—and a single wall of handbags.
We sat down to talk about how she found her way to Amlings, what inspires her work, and the design choices she’s loving (and leaving behind).
Q: How did you get into this field?
I was born and raised in Chicago and went to Dominican University for fashion design and merchandising.
After graduation, I was hired for a Saks Off Fifth store opening. On my first day, they gave me a section of a handbag wall and said “make it look good.” And I loved it. It felt like solving a puzzle—how to make everything look its best and most shoppable.
By the end of that week, I knew I wanted to make it my career.
Q: What was your path from retail to Amlings?
I moved into visual merchandising and eventually worked at Altar’d State, where I had a lot of creative freedom with floor sets and window displays. I really enjoyed having the opportunity to make things look beautiful and see the impact reflected in sales: The “oohs and ahhs” as the customers passed by the windows, was a nice bonus too.
I also spent time as a store manager during COVID, but I missed the creative side. I wanted a balance of business and design and that’s what led me to Amlings.
Now I’m a Senior Designer and Project Manager. I meet with clients, understand their vision, design the space, source materials, and oversee installations—from plants to holiday décor.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to be creative?
Not at all. I didn’t really realize it until late in high school. Senior year, to fill my schedule, my counselor signed me up for an art class and I thought I would hate it. But the opposite happened. Sitting in a quiet room, drawing, music playing—it just clicked. I enjoyed creating and the teacher said I was actually pretty good at it.
Q: How has the role of plants changed in design?
There’s been a big shift in people’s attitudes towards plants, especially since COVID. People had spent more time at home and wanted to bring greenery into their homes.
There’s this idea now that “plants are the new pets”—people really care for them, talk to them, check that theyre healthy.
In commercial spaces, we’re seeing that same shift. Offices need to feel welcoming and more appealing than staying at home to entice people back to the office. Plants help warm up and soften environments that would otherwise feel sterile, and they make people actually want to be there.
Q: How has plant design evolved in commercial spaces?
It used to be very limited—same containers, same plant varieties, very uniform.
Now there are so many more options and so many more vendors. Containers can match the design style of the space—whether that’s boho, urban, or something more modern. Rather than being an afterthought they are incorporated into architect drawings and interior designs, and the overall design of the space.
Q: If you could design a dream installation anywhere, where would it be?
Soho House Chicago, a membership hotel and club for the art community.
I love the idea of designing for a creative community. Each space there has a completely different vibe—it would be fun to push boundaries and create something a little unexpected and weird—because that audience would embrace weird.
Q: What’s the boldest design risk you’ve taken?
A holiday installation at the Chicago Viceroy Hotel in 2024.
The space already had teal, purple, white, and gold. It was bold to begin with and the client wanted something that stood out but also complemented the space. It was around the time the movie Barbie came out, so we leaned into pink—hot pink on white trees and white garland with a touch of pewter.
It was definitely a risk, but people loved it. Guests were taking photos everywhere and it became Instagram famous.
Q: What’s the most overused design trend right now?
Mid-century modern.
It’s been a buzz word since 2023 and we’re finally starting to see a shift away from it to more focus on texture and detail. Finally.
Q: What’s your personal design style at home?
Boho leaning maximalist.
I love bold colors, mixing textures, and styles of art, but also incorporating natural elements into my space to make it feel grounded. My burnt orange suede couch might be my favorite piece of furniture, its comfy and bold and anchors the room.
Also, plants everywhere. Prior to joining Amlings, I knew nothing about plants. So when I landed the job, I figured I should buy at least two and now 5 years later, those two are still alive and joined by many, many others.
Q: Any favorite plant at home?
I rescued a Dracaena Mass Cane (corn plant) from a client that was being replaced—it had grown completely wonky. Two branches with one little head of leaves on each that had grown out rather than up. It is about 3ft tall and about 6ft wide.
It’s now in my kitchen and fits perfectly under the chair rail on an accent wall. It’s probably my favorite plant.
Contact Amlings Interiors Today
In the modern corporate landscape, the concrete jungle is being traded for a literal one. For CEOs and Office Managers, integrating office plants isnt just a design trend; it’s a strategic investment in human capital. From the sprawling lobbies of Fortune 500 companies to the minimalist desks of tech startups, greenery is the secret weapon for enhancing productivity and curb appeal.
The Strategic Value of Greenery
When a prospective client or a high-level recruit walks into your building, the first thing they notice is the atmosphere. A sterile environment suggests a rigid culture, whereas a space filled with thriving office plants signals vitality and care. Research from institutions like the University of Exeter has shown that employees are 15% more productive when lean workspaces are filled with even a few plants.
Beyond the aesthetics, the biological benefits are profound. Natural elements help lower cortisol levels and reduce workplace stress. If you’re ready to elevate your property’s value, Contact Amlings for a professional consultation.
Why Every CEO Needs Live Architecture
Live architecture refers to the intentional placement of biological elements within a structural environment. For a property manager, this means utilizing office floor plants to define paths of travel or soften the harsh angles of industrial architecture.
Boosting Employee Retention and Well-being
The concept of Biophilia suggests that humans have an innate tendency to seek connections with nature. By providing best office plants for your staff, you are directly contributing to their mental health. Improved air quality—specifically the reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)—leads to fewer sick building syndrome symptoms, such as headaches and eye irritation.
Pro-Tip: Focus on the Benefits (curb appeal, employee well-being) rather than just the Features (color, size) when selecting your greenery.
Increasing Property Curb Appeal
For those in Property Management, the curb appeal extends to the interior common areas. A well-maintained atrium featuring large-scale office floor plants increases the perceived value of the lease. It transforms a transition space into a destination. Want to see how we can transform your lobby? Learn more about Amlings’ interior landscaping services.
Selecting the Best Office Plants for Your Light Levels
Not all plants are created equal, especially in a climate-controlled office. The best office plants are those that can handle the fluctuating temperatures and varied light sources of a commercial building.
Low-Light Warriors: The Snake Plant and ZZ Plant
For interior offices or cubicles far from windows, the Sansevieria (Snake Plant) is king. It is nearly indestructible and continues to produce oxygen at night, making it an ideal potted office plant for 24/7 operations. Similarly, the Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant) thrives in low-light environments and requires minimal watering.
Bright, Indirect Light: The Fiddle Leaf Fig
If your office boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, the Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata) offers a dramatic, high-end look. However, these require professional care to ensure they dont drop leaves due to drafts. For a high-impact installation that lasts, purchase Amlings’ maintenance-backed plant programs.
Essential Desk Plants for Individual Focus
Small-scale greenery, often referred to as desk plants, provides a personal touch to an employees workstation. These micro-environments allow staff to take micro-breaks by shifting their gaze from a digital screen to a living organism—a practice known as Attention Restoration Theory.
Succulents and Cacti
These are the quintessential desk plants for the busy executive. They take up minimal real estate and require very little water. However, ensure they are placed near a light source, as they can become leggy if they are searching for sun.
Pothos: The Office Ivy
The Pothos is a versatile trailing plant. It can sit on a shelf or be trained to climb a partition. Its excellent for absorbing toxins like formaldehyde, which can be off-gassed from office furniture and carpets.
Technical Specifications for Large Installations
When moving beyond a few potted office plants to a full-scale installation, property managers must consider technical requirements. Large trees and green walls have specific needs that impact the buildings infrastructure.
Drainage and Irrigation Requirements
Large office plants require specialized drainage systems to prevent root rot and water damage to the buildings flooring.
- Sub-irrigation: This involves a reservoir at the bottom of the planter that allows the plant to drink as needed.
- Direct Drainage: For permanent installations, a floor drain may be required beneath the planter.
Load-Bearing Considerations
Soil and water are heavy. A 5-foot potted office plant in a ceramic container can weigh upwards of 200 lbs. When placing multiple large containers on a single floor, it is vital to consult with a structural engineer to ensure the floors load-bearing capacity can support the weight.
Planter Material Comparison
Choosing the right container is as important as the plant itself. Use the table below to determine the best fit for your office aesthetic and budget.
| Material | Durability | Weight | Best Use Case |
| Fiberglass | High | Light | Modern offices, high-traffic areas |
| Ceramic | Medium | Heavy | Executive suites, stationary desk plants |
| Metal | High | Medium | Industrial chic, outdoor-to-indoor transitions |
| Recycled Plastic | Medium | Light | Sustainable initiatives, hidden liners |
Maintenance and Longevity: The Professional Edge
Buying office plants is easy; keeping them alive in a commercial setting is the challenge. Professional maintenance ensures that your investment continues to pay dividends in employee morale.
The Importance of Pruning and Cleaning
Dust accumulates on leaves, blocking the stomata and preventing the plant from breathing. Professional services include leaf cleaning and pest management to ensure your best office plants remain vibrant and healthy.
Professional Watering Schedules
Overwatering is the #1 killer of office plants. A professional technician understands the specific transpiration rates of each species and adjusts watering based on the buildings HVAC output.
The ROI of Biophilic Design
For a CEO, every expense must be justified. The ROI of office plants is measured in reduced absenteeism and increased employee engagement. According to the World Green Building Council, air quality improvements can lead to productivity gains of up to 11%.
Creating a Sustainable Brand Image
In an era where Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) matters, a green office speaks volumes. It shows that the company values sustainability and the health of its workforce. Using best office plants as part of your LEED certification process can also provide tax incentives and lower operational costs.
Customizing Your Green Workspace
No two offices are the same. Amlings specializes in creating bespoke plantscapes that reflect your brands identity. Whether you need a living wall or a curated selection of desk plants, we have the expertise to deliver. Contact us for more information on custom designs.
How Amlings Simplifies Your Green Initiatives
Managing a building is hard enough without worrying about the health of your office plants. Amlings provides a hands-off experience for Office Managers. We handle the selection, installation, and ongoing care.
Expert Plant Selection
We dont just provide plants; we provide the right plants. We analyze your lighting, humidity, and traffic patterns to select the best office plants for your specific environment.
Transform Your Workspace Today
The evidence is clear: office plants are more than just decoration. They are a functional part of a high-performing workspace. By investing in potted office plants, you are investing in the health, happiness, and productivity of your team.
Whether you are looking for a few elegant desk plants to brighten up workstations or massive office floor plants to anchor your lobby, Amlings is your partner in green excellence. Dont let your office remain a sterile environment. Embrace the power of nature and watch your business thrive.
Trusted Partners
“They are fantastic! They were able to work with us on a tight deadline and delivered as promised. The plants look beautiful and the customer service is one of a kind. Thank you for making our space look amazing.”
—Chad Brecunier
