These nature-inspired décors that make us go WOW!!!
I don’t know if you’re like me, but I’m always irresistibly drawn to places that put nature front and center: a profusion of flowers, a botanical mural, or a green space will immediately catch my eye, stir a positive emotion, and make me want to stay longer.
This attraction has a name: biophilia, the deeply human tendency to seek a connection with living things and nature. Several studies in environmental psychology suggest that natural environments, or those inspired by nature, promote well-being and help reduce stress. Plants and botanical motifs are therefore a wonderful tool for creating atmosphere and visual identity, and one not to be overlooked.
How can you bring them into a café, a restaurant or a shop? Out of all the possible options, here are 3 that I particularly love and would like to share with you.
1. A flower-covered storefront to charm every passerby
In Paris, the restaurant La Favorite has made a name for itself with its spectacular storefront, covered in cascades of pink flowers. The decoration has turned the building into a veritable street set, and passersby stop to photograph it.
Here, the greenery plays an immediate role: it makes the place recognizable from far away. It grabs attention, sparks curiosity and offers an image that is easy to share on social media.
The key takeaway: if you want to make a business visible and memorable, a bold floral intervention will give it a true signature. It can dress a storefront, frame an entrance or showcase a window display. You don’t need to transform the entire space to make a striking impression.
2. A botanical mural to give a space its soul
In Brooklyn, the Italian café Volare used a different approach. On a large black wall the artist Martha Antonelli painted a generous, colourful and luminous floral composition. Inspired in particular by the contrasts of Renaissance painting, the mural creates a dialogue between the café’s Italian world and a contemporary interpretation of flowers.
Rather than adding plants to the space, the decor brings nature in through imagery. The wall becomes a central element of the venue’s identity, while adding colour and personality to the interior.
The key takeaway: a botanical mural lets you create a tailor-made world that fits the story, values or atmosphere you’re after. Delicate, exuberant, realistic or stylized, it can be adapted to the identity of each venue. It’s also an appealing solution when you want to bring in a botanical presence without relying on live plants or their upkeep.
3. A lush, plant-filled setting for an immersive atmosphere
In Paris, La Felicità, the Italian food market from the Big Mamma group, is a true invitation to escape. In this vast industrial hall, lush vegetation sits alongside repurposed old train cars, salvaged objects and string lights. Together, they create an eclectic and genuinely warm setting: a world apart in the heart of the city.
Here, the plants aren’t simply tucked into a few corners to add a touch of greenery: they are fully part of the atmosphere. Paired with raw materials and repurposed objects, they help turn the former railway hall into a lively, transporting and welcoming space.
The key takeaway: to create an immersive atmosphere, you can also think of greenery on the scale of an entire space and combine it with other decorative elements. Hanging plants, lush foliage, thrifted furniture, natural materials or unexpected objects: it’s the way they come together that gives a venue a strong personality and immerses visitors in an extraordinary experience.
Greenery: far more than decor
These three examples show that there are many ways to bring nature into a space, and plenty more could be cited. A flower-covered storefront catches the eye and establishes a visual signature. A botanical mural gives the walls character and tells a story. A plant-filled interior changes how the space is perceived and transports visitors.
The right choice depends on what you want your visitors to feel, the identity of the venue and the technical constraints of the project. There’s no need to overdo it: a single well-thought-out element can sometimes have more impact than a profusion of details.
Because the botanical style is more than just a decorative trend. It’s a visual language in its own right, one that can make a place more welcoming, utterly unique and wonderfully memorable. And you, what place would you like to give nature in your surroundings?
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Growing a Green Identity
Let’s explore inspiring places where greenery gives a space its soul and where you feel truly at ease. Want to discover more places and sources of inspiration? Browse all the articles in the series.
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