A winter garden in an apartment is a way to create comfort in a relatively small space at any time of the year. To do this, use vegetation in pots or even organize a place for a kind of flower bed. This approach will create a relaxed atmosphere, improve the climate around and relax after a hard day.
The winter garden helps get rid of depression, promotes a good mood and normalizes the nervous system
Features of using a winter garden in an apartment
A “green” greenhouse in an apartment requires certain costs to create and maintain, so just coming up with an idea is not enough, you will need to put in a little more effort. It is necessary to think over the place and conditions for creating this beauty, and also select those plants that will not harm or become allergens.
By caring for your winter garden, you will always be in a great mood, and the air in the apartment will be saturated with oxygen ions
Even if the prospective residents have not previously noticed signs of an allergic reaction, it may suddenly manifest itself. Or guests with a predisposition will notice this, which will negatively affect their well-being.
This idea is not particularly popular, since few people decide to have a whole green corner in the apartment, but only a few flowerpots, sometimes even without them. After all, this is a big responsibility - care, watering, checking on a regular basis. But the modern pace of life of most people does not allow such luxury; not everyone is at home or free for so often and for a long time, due to hassle.
The winter garden must be created in a well-lit place, away from drafts and air conditioning.
If desired, the garden can be made in poor lighting conditions, but a more careful selection of plants will be required
And despite all the difficulties, deciding to make a winter garden in an apartment, as in the photo from the cover of a magazine about successful interiors, has many advantages. This can become a place of strength for those people who regularly experience serious psychological and physical stress. Many people like to put a cage with a canary or a beautiful aquarium there.
Plants, like children, require care and attention, so when planning your garden, consider how much time you can devote to it.
Practice shows that, if desired, you can get out of the situation by investing additional funds. For example, a solution to the issue of regular watering can be the installation of an automatic or other device that supplies water in the required dose. At the same time, owners can replenish supplies in the main container at a convenient time. And the problem of proper care can be solved by simply hiring a specialist, he will come, wipe the leaves, check if everything is in order, and leave, taking a relatively small amount.
Composition options and their features
Mountains
To create a mountainous landscape, place large, sharp, irregular stones in groups on coarse sand and pebbles. Between them, leave space for narrow and tall vegetation: climbing ivy, ficus, seleginella, crassula.
Idea: Instead of stones, you can use colored foam.
Mountain composition using moss
A tropical forest
As a base, mix leaf soil, peat and coarse sand. Plants (asparagus, ivy, ficus, calamus, begonias, croton, phytonia) are best planted from high to low. For decoration, use colored moss, pre-boiled driftwood, willow roots, and tree bark.
Tropical mini-garden under a glass cover
Desert
The main inhabitants of such compositions are cacti and succulents. It is advisable to sift sand for soil (at least 10 cm). The desert landscape will be complemented by large stones, fragments of ceramics and pieces of sandstone.
Tip: use colored sand to make the composition more colorful.
Monotonous desert composition diluted with bright orange moss
Mosses
Mono-compositions made of moss are called mossaria. Dilute their greenery with figurines, driftwood and stones. By the shade of the moss you can control the level of soil moisture: juicy green - there is enough moisture, and light - it needs to be moistened.
Choosing the right location and necessary conditions for a winter garden
The flower corner in the apartment should have a specially designated place where animals who can spoil it will not have access to it, as well as a climate that negatively affects the condition of the plants. Therefore, placement is a strategically important decision when planning a winter garden. “Greenery” requires a competent approach to the conditions, because many indoor exotic and local flowers and trees require special conditions.
The best natural light in the winter garden will be on the south side of the house
If possible, you need to expand the windows or even make panoramic glazing
If there is a lack of natural light, artificial lighting should be considered
The most important aspects when choosing the location of a home flower garden:
- As much daylight as possible. Obviously, this is difficult to achieve in an apartment, however, often a balcony can be the best solution. Or, artificial and uninterrupted lighting is often provided, simulating sunlight.
- Depending on the plants you choose, you need to maintain the right level of humidity and temperature. Air parameters affect the development and appearance of flowers, so it is worth selecting them so that they require approximately the same conditions. Or at least it was technically possible to combine it.
- Consider providing ventilation.
- You need to create the effect of a separate zone for your flowers to make it easier to maintain conditions without fear of the influence of external circumstances. This is true in winter, when batteries dry the air, and sometimes the temperature drops below the permissible level for plants. Here is the factor of frosty drafts.
The rules for ensuring optimal conditions include competent and professional care of the “green corner”. This is especially true for those indoor plants that are rare or whimsical and require the hands and knowledge of a specialist.
A shady corner of the room can be decorated with ferns suspended in flowerpots
Royal Orangery, Brussels
The largest botanical garden in Belgium is located on an area of 2.3 hectares. This is a structure consisting of 30 greenhouses made of glass and metal, located near the royal palace and surrounded by statues. The flower pavilions contain a rich collection of camellias and other rare flowers and plants from different continents.
The rooms with glass domes contain palm trees, the height of which is several tens of meters. Most zones have a themed design, including rare figurines of gods, household items, and ritual masks. In separate greenhouses, rare species of roses, azaleas and orchids are presented, which will not leave anyone indifferent.
Design options for a winter garden in apartment design
The best option for placing a winter garden in an apartment building is a balcony or loggia. After all, this is a vacation spot for many, there is also a lot of light, and in warm areas it is also an optimal place for growing many types of flowers. You don’t have to be afraid to open the window; there won’t be any cold air coming in for most of the year.
If you have not been involved in plant growing before, it is better to start with unpretentious annual or fast-growing plants
The loggia allows you to introduce many design ideas, which often has an interesting effect on the results. Common options are to arrange flowers in space mainly along walls and on surfaces. This allows you to place a rocking chair or table in the center and a couple of seats with a blanket, plus each plant will be shaded or lit as much as it needs.
As you gain experience, you can try to grow rarer and more beautiful plants, gradually filling your greenhouse with new residents
It is important to make a winter garden in apartments with panoramic windows; they also provide a lot of natural light and free space. You can arrange the “greenery” vertically or horizontally, or use special stands to decorate the interior. At the same time, there is no limit to your imagination, since there may be enough space for a small pond or aquarium. Together with wicker furniture of wheat or black color, a special atmosphere will be created, distracting from negativity, tension, relaxing not only physically, but also on a mental level.
In apartment conditions, plants are grown in containers - this makes them easier to care for, fertilize and control pests
The home garden is especially beautiful when it blooms all year round. To do this, you should choose plants that bloom in the cold season.
Briefly about the main thing
The first greenhouse buildings, which appeared at the end of the 16th century, a hundred years later spread throughout Europe and became a familiar feature of the rural landscape. The English greenhouse is a special type of structure. It is distinguished from the usual greenhouses by its design features: a characteristic roof, high walls, original glazing, the presence of a vestibule and additional greenhouses on the sides.
Traditional Chelsea greenhouses were made of wood and glass. For modern summer (seasonal) options, a post-transom system is used. For a year-round greenhouse, an aluminum profile and double-glazed windows are suitable. All buildings look elegant thanks to their elongated shape, lancet windows and high foundation with a plinth.
Tips and tricks for decorating an apartment using a winter garden
- The space must be prepared before the plants are purchased to create a beautiful design.
- Buy flowers correctly from trusted stores. Many sellers add strong chemicals to pots for long-term preservation. After this, the “greens” quickly die upon arrival home.
- The use of various stands and hangers will create multi-level harmony.
- Plant selection should also be done based on size. Small flowers and large leaves, sharp smooth lines, shapes, shades will produce the effect of diversity. This is how master florists usually work.
- Don't neglect attractive accessories.
You can place the garden with islands, filling non-functional areas in the room space
When choosing palm trees and other tall plants, keep in mind that someday they will touch the ceiling of the room
So, a winter garden in an apartment is a place where people want to come and relax their soul and body, so the eye should not “catch on to anything.” A feeling of peace is promoted by proper design and proper care of the flower corner, maintaining optimal conditions.
Methods of organization, design for a greenhouse in a cottage or private house
Initially, to organize the construction of an extension, it is necessary to resolve the following points:
- Periods of operation. In what seasons will this room be used: for year-round or seasonal use.
- What is the purpose of the extension : as a hobby for caring for plants or for everyday relaxation.
If you plan to use it year-round, then you can safely fulfill your fantasies of filling the room with various kinds of plants. When used year-round, the attic is equipped with special soft corners for relaxation and even night sleep. You can also equip the attic with a kitchen corner where tea parties will be held.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner: the organization of all these additions in the greenhouse is determined by the area of the room; if it is a balcony, then it is unlikely that you can put a sofa on it. If you plan to use the extension only during certain periods, then it is enough to equip the greenhouse with your main favorite plant species.
There is no need to create heating, irrigation and ventilation systems. All this can be done artificially with your own hands. It is the orientation of further use that depends on the arrangement of the extension with a winter garden.
Winter garden in an apartment – 50 photos
Homemade florarium
Making a florarium with your own hands is not that difficult. Follow the step by step instructions:
1. Sketch a sketch plan . Think over the composition from all sides, carefully selecting plants with the same care requirements.
2. Prepare a container . Clean and wash it thoroughly. Then carefully pour boiling water over it to prevent it from cracking. Wipe with alcohol.
3. Place drainage . Add charcoal to a layer of expanded clay or small stones (no more than 3 cm). It will protect against mold and fungi.
4. Add soil . Use a funnel made of folded cardboard for this. Level the surface.
5. Plant some plants . To begin, mark the places for planting, make small holes and lightly moisten them. Clean the roots and trim them carefully to slow their development .
Tip : Don't use too many plants or plant them close to each other.
6. Water the plants. If the soil is already moist, then just spray the leaves of the plants.
7. Decorate the composition. Use toys, driftwood, colored sand, mulch. For effect, add lighting, replicas of waterfalls and streams.
8. Wipe down the walls. Do this with a dry cloth inside and out. Close the container with the lid tightly.
Important: for disinfection, it is recommended to dry the soil and wash the drainage and decor in boiling water.
Various containers for mini gardens
