Plants as dividers are such a vibe—definitely not just an excuse to buy more, though I’d never judge if it was. I’ve seen the “green wall” approach work wonders, especially in open lofts where you want some separation but don’t want to lose that airy feeling. The wine crate idea is clever, too. I’ve used mismatched vintage planters before and it actually made the space feel more lived-in and less staged.
“It did help with noise, but honestly, it felt like we’d just put up a giant dust magnet. Plus, it blocked a lot of natural light, which kind of defeated the open vibe we were going for.”
That’s exactly my issue with heavy curtains or drop cloths. They’re great for sound, but unless you’re super diligent with cleaning (which I’m not), they just collect everything. And once you lose that natural light, it’s hard to get it back without taking the whole thing down.
One thing I tried in my own place was using a combo—plants for visual division and then a lightweight sheer curtain just behind them. The curtain didn’t do much for sound but added a bit of privacy without killing the light. It was easier to toss in the wash than a big heavy drape, too.
Have you ever experimented with open shelving as a divider? I’ve seen people fill them with books, baskets, or even more plants (surprise), and it breaks up the space while still letting light through. It’s not as soft as greenery, but sometimes that little bit of structure helps anchor things.
Honestly, there’s no perfect solution—just depends on how much you’re willing to compromise between sound control and keeping things bright and open. But yeah...plants are never a bad idea.
I tried the open shelving trick once, thinking it’d be a cheap fix—just grabbed an old IKEA unit and filled it with random stuff. Looked alright, but honestly, it turned into a dumping ground for mail and whatever else I didn’t want to deal with. Plants are prettier, but I get nervous about water stains on the floor or shelves. Has anyone actually found a way to keep those “plant walls” from turning into a mess? I feel like mine always end up looking wild after a month or two.
I hear you on the open shelving—mine just collects keys, receipts, and random hardware bits. When it comes to plant walls, I think it’s all about setup. Here’s what’s worked for me in my 1920s place:
- Use trays under every pot, even the self-watering ones. It’s not pretty, but no water stains.
- Stick to hardy plants that don’t shed leaves everywhere (snake plants, pothos).
- Rotate the lineup every month or so to keep things tidy.
- Avoid anything trailing unless you’re ready to prune often—those get wild fast.
Honestly, I’ve found closed storage is way less stressful in an open-plan space. The clutter just stands out more when there aren’t walls to hide it.
Can’t agree more about the clutter—open shelves look great in photos, but in real life? Mine basically turned into a random drop zone, too. I tried to make them work in one of my rentals, but tenants always preferred cabinets. As for plant walls, totally with you on hardy plants. I once put a monstera in an open space and regretted it... those leaves just kept dropping everywhere. Closed storage feels like the way to go if you want your space to feel calm instead of chaotic.
I get the appeal of closed storage, but honestly, open shelves can be a real asset if you’re strategic. In my experience, tenants actually like them for quick access—especially in kitchens. It’s all about editing what goes on display and keeping the rest tucked away. Cabinets hide mess, sure, but they also eat up wall space and can make a big open area feel boxed in. Sometimes a mix of both works best... just depends on the layout and who’s living there.