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.

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.

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.

The modern urban landscape is rapidly evolving. For decades, commercial spaces were defined by sterile environments, characterized by harsh fluorescent lighting, endless seas of beige cubicles, and a stark disconnect from the natural world. Today, however, designers, architects, and property managers are recognizing the profound limitations of these bleak spaces. There is a growing consensus that the environments in which we spend the majority of our waking hours must do more than simply house desks and computers; they must actively nurture the people within them.

This paradigm shift has brought biophilic design to the forefront of architectural planning, with interior design and plants emerging as one of the most effective, scalable, and transformative strategies available. Integrating greenery into commercial spaces is no longer a mere afterthought or a decorative luxury; it is a fundamental component of creating healthy, inspiring, and highly functional environments. Whether you are aiming to revitalize a tired corporate headquarters or are laying the groundwork for a cutting-edge startup hub, mastering interior design with plants is essential.

If you are looking for immediate ways to revitalize your space, contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive design consultations.

The Biological Imperative: Why We Need Nature Indoors

Human beings possess an innate affinity for the natural world, a concept popularized as biophilia by biologist E.O. Wilson. For thousands of years, our ancestors lived in direct contact with nature, and our neurological systems are still wired to respond positively to natural stimuli. When we are deprived of these connections—locked away in windowless rooms or surrounded entirely by synthetic materials—our stress levels rise, our cognitive function impairs, and our overall well-being suffers.

Implementing interior design with plants bridges this evolutionary gap. By bringing elements of the outdoors inside, architects and designers can trick the brain into a state of relaxed alertness. The presence of foliage introduces organic shapes, varied textures, and vibrant colors that break up the rigid geometry of traditional corporate architecture. This visual complexity provides soft fascination, allowing the mind to rest and recover from the intense focus required by screen-based work.

Furthermore, the integration of botanical elements serves as a powerful signal to employees and tenants. It communicates that property managers and corporate leaders value occupant health and are willing to invest in a high-quality environment. In an era where talent retention is a top priority for businesses, a thoughtfully designed, nature-rich workspace becomes a significant competitive advantage.

The Science of Productivity, Health, and Well-being

The benefits of incorporating greenery into commercial settings are not merely anecdotal; they are backed by a robust and growing body of scientific research. Understanding these empirical advantages is crucial for architects and property managers who need to justify the return on investment (ROI) for biophilic installations and interior design with plants.

A landmark study conducted by the University of Exeter found that enriching a lean office space with plants could increase productivity by up to 15%. The researchers concluded that a green environment significantly increased workplace satisfaction, self-reported levels of concentration, and perceived air quality.

Speaking of air quality, the famous NASA Clean Air Study demonstrated that certain types of foliage can actively filter harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from enclosed environments. While a massive amount of vegetation is required to completely purify the air in a large commercial building, strategically placed greenery undoubtedly contributes to a healthier microclimate, potentially reducing the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and lowering employee absenteeism.

Beyond air purification and productivity, research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health emphasizes the connection between green building design and enhanced cognitive function. Employees working in environments with optimized ventilation and natural elements consistently score higher on cognitive tasks, particularly those involving crisis response and strategy.

Ready to transform your workspace into a hub of productivity? Contact Amlings biophilic installation services today and let our experts handle the design, installation, and ongoing maintenance of your corporate greenery.

Core Principles of Interior Design with Plants

Successfully executing interior design with plants requires more than just scattering a few potted ferns across a floor plan. It demands a strategic, structural approach that considers the interplay of light, space, and the specific needs of the living elements.

1. Lighting and Orientation
The most critical factor in any botanical installation is light. Before selecting a single species, designers must conduct a thorough light audit of the space. South-facing windows provide intense, direct light suitable for sun-loving species, while north-facing windows offer the gentle, indirect light preferred by many tropical understory plants. In deep floor plans where natural light cannot penetrate, architects must integrate specialized horticultural LED lighting. These lighting systems can be seamlessly built into the office design to ensure the survival of the vegetation without disrupting your overall interior design with plants.

2. Scale and Proportion
Greenery should be scaled appropriately to the volume of the room. A massive, multi-story atrium demands large specimen trees, such as towering Ficus or Black Olives, to ground the space and prevent it from feeling cavernous. Conversely, a small huddle room might only require a carefully curated cluster of desktop foliage or a modest living art frame. The goal is to create a sense of balance, where the vegetation complements the architecture rather than overwhelming it or getting lost within it.

3. Layering and Texture
Just as a landscape architect layers an outdoor garden, a professional executing interior design with plants should thoughtfully layer indoor greenery. Combining tall canopy plants, mid-level bushy varieties, and trailing vines creates a rich, immersive environment. Mixing different leaf textures—from the broad, glossy leaves of a Monstera to the delicate, feathery fronds of a Maidenhair fern—adds visual depth and interest, preventing the installation from looking monotonous.

4. Planter Selection and Integration
The vessels holding the vegetation are just as important as the vegetation itself. Modern interior design with plants often involves building planters directly into the architecture. Recessed floor planters, custom millwork with integrated waterproof liners, and suspended ceiling troughs allow the greenery to feel like a native part of the building rather than a temporary addition. When standalone containers are used, they should align with the overall material palette of the space, whether that involves sleek powder-coated steel, warm terracotta, or polished concrete.

Modern Office Design: Moving Beyond the Cubicle

The evolution of the workplace has been dramatic. We have moved from highly compartmentalized private offices to expansive open-plan layouts, and now, to flexible, hybrid environments. In this current iteration, modern office design must cater to a variety of work styles, offering spaces for deep focus, collaborative brainstorming, and casual socialization.

Greenery is the perfect tool to facilitate this flexibility, which is why interior design with plants has become an industry standard. Unlike rigid drywall partitions, plants offer a softer, more dynamic way to define spatial boundaries. A row of tall, dense sansevierias in a sleek trough can separate a bustling corridor from a quiet workstation area, providing a psychological barrier and a degree of visual privacy without completely blocking light or sightlines.

Furthermore, plants are exceptional acoustic dampeners. Open-plan offices are notoriously noisy, leading to distraction and fatigue. The leaves, stems, and soil of indoor plants absorb, diffract, and reflect sound waves, significantly reducing reverberation times and ambient noise levels. Strategic placement of green walls or large potted arrangements near noisy areas—such as cafeterias or printing stations—can drastically improve the acoustic comfort of the surrounding workspaces.

7 Revolutionary Office Design Ideas Utilizing Plants

For architects and property managers looking for actionable inspiration, here are several office design ideas that leverage the power of biophilia:

1. The Living Wall Divider: Instead of using opaque screens or glass walls to divide a large room, install double-sided living walls on heavy-duty casters. These mobile green partitions allow for ultimate layout flexibility while maximizing the presence of indoor plants in the environment.
2. The Biophilic Ceiling: Suspend a grid system above workstations and intertwine it with trailing vines like Pothos or Philodendron cordatum. This creates a lush canopy effect, making the ceiling feel lower and more intimate, which can be particularly effective in industrial spaces with exposed ductwork and soaring heights.
3. The Indoor Atrium Forest: For buildings with central skylights or atriums, create a dense, ground-level indoor forest. Complete with meandering pathways, varied seating options, and diverse plant species, this area becomes the town square of the building, encouraging spontaneous collisions and collaborative interactions among employees.
4. Integrated Desk Planters: Work with furniture manufacturers to specify desking systems that feature built-in, waterproof plant troughs at the end of each desk run. This ensures that every single employee has immediate, close-up access to nature, enhancing the micro-level interior design with plants.
5. The Moss Art Installation: In areas with zero natural light where living vegetation would struggle, preserved moss walls offer a brilliant alternative. These installations require no watering or light, yet still provide the acoustic benefits and visual texture of living greenery. They can be cut into corporate logos or abstract geometric patterns.
6. The Greenhouse Meeting Room: Construct a freestanding, glass-enclosed meeting room within a larger open floor plan, and surround its exterior base with dense, tropical foliage. This creates a room within a room that feels entirely secluded and immersed in nature.
7. The Wellness Room Oasis: Dedicated wellness or lactation rooms should be sanctuaries of calm. Incorporate soft, indirect lighting, comfortable seating, and an abundance of air-purifying indoor plants to create a deeply restorative environment.

Need help bringing these office design ideas to life? Contact Amlings today! Our team will seamlessly integrate botanical elements into your architectural plans.

Selecting the Optimal Indoor Plants for Commercial Spaces

The success of any biophilic project, especially one centered on interior design with plants, hinges on specifying the right species for the right location. Commercial environments can be harsh, with fluctuating temperatures, dry air from HVAC systems, and inconsistent care if not managed by professionals. Designers must prioritize resilient indoor plants that can thrive under these conditions.

• Low-Light Champions: For interior corridors, elevator lobbies, and northern exposures, rely on the survivors of the plant world. The Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant) and the Sansevieria (Snake Plant) can tolerate extremely low light levels and infrequent watering. Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) varieties offer a splash of color with their variegated leaves and are highly adaptable to office environments.
• Bright, Indirect Light Performers: Near large, shaded windows or under high-quality artificial lighting, the options expand significantly. Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) remains popular for its dramatic scale, though the Ficus audrey is gaining traction as a slightly more forgiving alternative. The Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird of Paradise) adds an immediate tropical, architectural flair to spacious lobbies.
• Trailing and Climbing Varieties: For green walls, hanging baskets, and high shelves, Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos) and Philodendron hederaceum (Heartleaf Philodendron) are unbeatable for their rapid growth and resilience.
• Architectural Specimens: When a space requires a bold, sculptural statement, consider large cacti or succulents like the Euphorbia ammak, provided they have access to abundant, direct sunlight.

If you are unsure which species will thrive in your specific building, contact us to schedule a comprehensive site assessment and light audit.

Infrastructure and Architectural Considerations

Integrating substantial vegetation into a commercial building is not just an aesthetic endeavor; it is a core engineering challenge for modern interior design with plants. Architects and property managers must address several critical infrastructure points early in the design phase.

Water and Irrigation: Hand-watering a massive commercial installation is labor-intensive and prone to human error. Large-scale interior design with plants, particularly green walls and extensive built-in planters, require automated drip irrigation systems. These systems must be plumbed directly into the buildings water supply and feature fail-safes and drainage protocols to prevent catastrophic leaks.

Structural Load: Wet soil and large planters are incredibly heavy. Before specifying a multi-tree installation on an upper floor, structural engineers must verify that the floor plate can handle the localized dead load. Lightweight soil mediums and fiberglass containers are often utilized to mitigate this issue.

HVAC and Airflow: Plants transpire, releasing moisture into the air. A high density of vegetation can significantly impact the relative humidity of a space. HVAC systems must be calibrated to handle this increased moisture load to prevent condensation and mold growth, particularly in tightly sealed, energy-efficient buildings. Furthermore, plants should not be placed directly in the path of aggressive supply vents, as the constant draft can desiccate their leaves.

The Economic Argument for Property Managers

For property managers and commercial real estate developers, investing in sophisticated office design that prominently features interior design with plants is a highly strategic financial decision.

Firstly, biophilic buildings command premium lease rates. Tenants are increasingly demanding workspaces that actively support the health and well-being of their workforce, and they are willing to pay a premium for buildings that offer these amenities. A well-designed, plant-rich lobby serves as a powerful marketing tool during building tours.

Secondly, these environments reduce tenant turnover. When businesses occupy spaces where their employees are happier, healthier, and more productive, they are far more likely to renew their leases. The cost of retaining a tenant is exponentially lower than the cost of finding a new one, outfitting the space, and suffering through months of vacancy.

Finally, green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the WELL Building Standard, heavily incentivize the use of biophilic elements. Achieving these certifications not only boosts the prestige and marketability of the property but can also lead to significant tax benefits and municipal incentives.

Partnering with the Experts

Transforming a sterile corporate box into a thriving, verdant ecosystem is a complex undertaking. It requires a deep understanding of horticulture, interior architecture, plumbing, and lighting design. Attempting to manage this process without specialized expertise often leads to failing plants, water damage, and wasted budgets.

This is where professional intervention becomes vital. By partnering with specialists, designers and architects can ensure that their vision for interior design with plants is executed flawlessly, from the initial schematic design to the ongoing, long-term maintenance of the living assets.

The Future of Interior Design with Plants

The era of the bleak, uninspired workplace is over. Todays most successful commercial spaces prioritize human health, well-being, and connection to nature. By embracing interior design with plants, architects, designers, and property managers have the power to fundamentally transform the urban environment. Through careful planning, strategic species selection, and a commitment to biophilic principles, we can create modern offices that not only look spectacular but actively help the people within them thrive.

Dont let your workspace fall behind the curve. Contact Amlings comprehensive biophilic design and maintenance services today, and let us help you turn your bleak environment into a stunning, productive oasis.

The Open Office Paradox

For property managers and the HR team, the modern open office is a paradox. It was designed to foster collaboration and transparency, yet it frequently generates the exact opposite: distraction, withdrawal, and stress. The removal of walls was intended to break down silos, but for many employees, it destroyed the essential privacy needed for deep work.

As complaints mount regarding noise levels and the feeling of living in a fishbowl, designers and property managers are often faced with a difficult choice. Do you invest capital in building barriers—glass partitions, drywall, and expensive cubicle systems—or do you ignore the problem and risk employee turnover?

There is a third option, one that is often overlooked in architectural planning but is rapidly gaining traction among savvy facility operators: indoor plants.

By shifting the perspective from plants as mere decoration to plants as soft infrastructure, businesses can solve complex layout challenges. Indoor plants offer a flexible and aesthetically superior alternative to rigid construction. This article explores how strategic greenery can function as foundational building blocks, solving the acoustic and spatial problems that plague the modern workplace.

Redefining Greenery: What is Soft Infrastructure?

To understand the true value of indoor plants, we must first define soft infrastructure. In the context of interior design and facility management, hard infrastructure refers to the fixed elements of a building: walls, beams, glass partitions, and HVAC systems. These are expensive to install and even more expensive to move.

Soft infrastructure, on the other hand, consists of semi-permanent or movable elements that define space and control environmental factors without requiring construction permits or demolition. Examples of soft infrastructure include acoustic panels, movable screens, and, most effectively, indoor plants.

When you utilize indoor plants as infrastructure, you are not just adding a splash of green; you are installing a biological utility. A row of tall sansevieria becomes a partition. A dense grouping of ficus trees becomes a sound buffer.

The primary advantage of soft infrastructure is flexibility. As your team grows or your lease terms change, walls cannot move with you. Indoor plants can. They allow you to reconfigure a department overnight, creating new corridors or breakout areas with zero construction dust and zero downtime.

The Acoustic Battle: Silencing the Noise

The number one complaint in open-plan offices is noise. The clatter of keyboards, the hum of HVAC systems, and the chatter of colleagues create a distraction that kills concentration. Hard surfaces like concrete floors, glass walls, and exposed ceilings—popular in modern industrial design—only serve to amplify this noise, creating an echo chamber.

While traditional soundproofing involves expensive acoustic tiles or ugly foam tiles, indoor plants act as natural sound absorbers.

Plants function as acoustic infrastructure in three ways:

• Deflection: The flexible leaves of plants break up sound waves, preventing them from bouncing directly off hard walls.
• Absorption: Plant mass absorbs sound energy rather than reflecting it.
• Refraction: Complex canopies scatter sound, reducing the distinctness of conversations, which is often more distracting than white noise.

Research suggests that placing indoor plants at the edges of a room or in corners can significantly reduce reverberation time. For facility managers, this means you can solve noisy zone complaints by strategically installing high-density planters rather than calling a contractor to build a wall.

Creating Visual Privacy Without Isolation

The fishbowl effect—the feeling of being constantly watched—induces anxiety. However, returning to high-walled cubicles often feels regressive and claustrophobic. Indoor plants provide the perfect middle ground: screened privacy.

A barrier made of foliage is distinct from a solid wall. It creates a visual shield that blocks the direct line of sight while still allowing light and air to pass through. This maintains the airy, open feel of the office while giving employees the psychological security of a defined boundary.

Zoning with Plant Barriers

Office Designers can use tall, dense indoor plants to create zones within a large floor plate.

• Focus Zones: Wrap a cluster of desks with waist-high planters topped with dense foliage to signal a quiet area.
• Breakout Areas: Use large potted trees to create a canopy over a collaborative table, making the space feel intimate and separated from the main thoroughfare.
• Traffic Control: Instead of using rope lines or tape, use a linear arrangement of planters to subtly guide guests from the reception area to the conference rooms.

Examples of Soft Infrastructure in Action

To truly visualize how indoor plants solve layout challenges, lets look at specific examples of soft infrastructure applications in a corporate setting.

1. The Cabinet Topper Divider: Low filing cabinets are often used to separate desks, but they offer zero visual privacy. By installing custom planter boxes on top of these cabinets and filling them with plants like Aglaonema or ZZ plants, you raise the visual horizon to eye level. This instantly creates privacy for seated employees without requiring new furniture.
2. The Green Speed Bump: Long, straight corridors in large offices can encourage fast walking and loud talking. Placing a large statement plant or a small cluster of indoor plants at a corner or midway point acts as a visual speed bump. It forces traffic to slow down and flow around the object, naturally calming the energy of the space.
3. The Portable Green Wall: Portable living walls or vertical trellis systems planted with climbing vines can serve as movable partitions. These are ideal for flexible meeting spaces where the layout needs to change for town halls, training sessions, or cocktail hours.

Unsure which layout works best for your space? Contact us for more information about our design-first approach. We analyze your floor plan to place greenery where it functions best as infrastructure.

The Best Indoor Plants for Soft Infrastructure

Not all greenery is created equal when the goal is architectural function. To work as soft infrastructure, the plants must be hardy, voluminous, and suited to the indoor climate. Selecting the best indoor plants ensures your investment lasts and performs its intended function.

When we design for infrastructure, we look for plants with:

• Density: To block sight lines and absorb sound.
• Height: To act as walls or canopies.
• Low Maintenance: To ensure they survive in harsh office lighting.

Top Selections for Office Infrastructure:

• Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig): With its large, violin-shaped leaves, this plant is excellent for acoustic absorption. It creates a substantial visual presence, making it perfect for filling empty corners or defining entrances.
• Sansevieria (Snake Plant): The ultimate architectural plant. Its vertical, sword-like leaves take up very little floor space but grow tall enough to act as a screen. It is virtually indestructible and perfect for low-light areas.
• Dracaena: Available in many varieties (like the Corn Plant or Janet Craig), Dracaena offers height and a woody stem, resembling a small tree. It is ideal for breaking up large, monotonous rows of desks.
• Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (ZZ Plant): For cabinet toppers and low dividers, the ZZ plant is unmatched. It grows thick and bushy, creating a solid wall of green that requires minimal watering.
• Kentia Palm: For a softer, more elegant look that still provides a canopy effect, the Kentia Palm is one of the best indoor plants for executive suites and high-end lobbies.

At Amlings, we dont just pick plants that look nice; we source Grade A live plants with established root systems to ensure they can thrive as a permanent part of your buildings infrastructure.

The Financial Argument: Plants vs. Construction

For the Facility Manager, every square foot comes with a cost. When a layout isnt working, the traditional construction route is capital-intensive.

• Permits and Approvals: Moving walls often requires building permits and landlord approval.
• Depreciation: Fixed improvements are generally depreciated over 39 years.
• Sunk Costs: If you move, you leave the walls behind.

Indoor plants flip this financial model.

• OpEx vs. CapEx: Plant services can often be categorized as operating expenses rather than capital expenditures.
• Portability: If your company moves to a new floor or a new building, your indoor plants come with you. Your investment is retained.

By viewing indoor plants as infrastructure, the ROI becomes clear. You are solving the problem (privacy/acoustics) for a fraction of the cost of construction, with the added benefit of biophilic design—which has been proven to increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

The Amlings Advantage: Design-First Installation

Many vendors can sell you a potted plant. But solving architectural challenges requires a partner who understands design, flow, and brand identity. This is where Amlings excels.

Our process is not about dropping off plant containers. We approach your space with the eye of an architect and the knowledge of a horticulturalist.

1. Site Analysis: We evaluate light levels, traffic patterns, and acoustic pain points.
2. Brand Integration: We select containers and plants that match your palette. Whether you are a sleek tech startup or a traditional law firm, our installations reflect your standards of excellence.
3. Grade A Sourcing: We use only the highest quality stock. A dying plant is not infrastructure; it is an eyesore. We ensure your installation looks established and pristine from day one.

Maintenance: The Key to Sustained Infrastructure

One hesitation facility and property managers often have regarding indoor plants is the maintenance. Who is going to water them?

When plants are infrastructure, they must be reliable. You wouldnt accept a flickering lightbulb, and you shouldnt accept a wilting plant. That is why professional installation must be paired with professional care.

At Amlings, our model ensures that your soft infrastructure remains functional and beautiful without your HR team lifting a finger. Our horticultural specialists provide ongoing maintenance, anticipating issues before they surface. We prune, water, dust, and replace plants as needed to protect your investment. This allows you to reap the architectural benefits of indoor plants with zero operational burden.

Build Better with Biology

The era of the sterile, loud, and exposed open office is ending. But the solution isnt to go back to the cubicle farms of the 1990s. The solution is to embrace flexibility and biology.

By utilizing indoor plants as soft infrastructure, you can solve the pressing issues of noise and privacy while creating a workspace that people actually want to visit. It is a strategy that balances the bottom line with employee well-being, proving that the most effective building material isnt always concrete—sometimes, its a leaf.

Transform your workspace today. Dont let layout challenges hinder your teams success.

Last week, our design team headed to the Atlanta Market—one of the most influential design events in the country—to look ahead at what’s next for luxury hospitality, Class A office spaces, and emerging office design trends. Our goal was to gather inspiration that translates directly into the environments you manage, design, and care about.

Leaning on classic and enduring design first, we build elements of new trends in a way that is unique to each building, each client and each brand. The Atlanta Market offered an incredible array of new products, and we returned to Chicago inspired and eager to bring fresh ideas to our clients’ spaces.

More About Office Plant Design

Staying ahead of these movements is critical because the definition of a premier workplace is constantly evolving. For our clients, incorporating these emerging office design trends is not merely about decoration—it is a strategic investment in tenant satisfaction and asset value. In a market where occupants are seeking deeper connection and comfort, a space that feels curated and current can be the deciding factor in lease renewals and daily engagement. We track these shifts so that your properties dont just keep up, but lead with confidence.

What we saw during our visit confirmed something we believe deeply—design is becoming more intentional, more emotional, and more rooted in familiarity. We left thinking about three things:

1. Vintage Nostalgia

There’s a growing desire for pieces that feel storied and timeless rather than overly trendy. Vintage-inspired finishes, heirloom silhouettes, and subtle nods to the past are making a strong return—especially in holiday décor. When paired with lush greenery, these elements create warmth, authenticity, and a sense of place that feels both elevated and inviting.

Expanding on this in the context of broader office design trends, we are seeing a shift away from the sterile, ultra-modern corporate aesthetic. Incorporating storied elements—even if they are new reproductions—adds a layer of psychological comfort known as resimercial design. By blending the durability of office furniture with the soulfulness of vintage aesthetics, workplaces can foster a sense of history and stability that grounds employees in an increasingly digital world.

2. Classic Colors, Refined

Neutral palettes and traditional hues are taking center stage again. Think rich greens, warm ivories, soft metallics, and restrained contrast. These classic color stories provide longevity, allowing seasonal installations to feel elegant rather than fleeting.

This return to tradition aligns perfectly with sustainable office design trends, where the focus is on creating spaces that do not need to be overhauled every few years. A refined, classic backdrop allows companies to evolve their branding or seasonal decor without clashing with the permanent architecture. It signifies a move toward quiet luxury in the workplace—environments that feel expensive and thoughtful through texture and tone rather than loud, temporary gimmicks.

3. Red Is Back

Perhaps the boldest takeaway: red has officially re-entered the conversation. From deep burgundy to true, saturated crimson, red is showing up with confidence—particularly in holiday design. Used intentionally, it delivers drama, energy, and a sense of celebration without overwhelming a space.

Current office design trends favor boldness in communal areas. We are seeing these deep crimsons and burgundies utilized effectively in lobbies, collaborative breakout zones, and social hubs to stimulate conversation and energy. When balanced with the neutral palettes mentioned above, red becomes a sophisticated power move rather than a distraction.

Bringing These Trends to Your Space

We returned to Chicago inspired and eager to bring these fresh ideas to our clients spaces. By leaning on these enduring design principles, we can build elements of new trends in a way that is unique to each building and brand.

If you are thinking about refreshing your interiors or want to explore how these office design trends can revitalize your workspace, we’d love to continue the conversation.