Plants and flowers have become much more than decorative features in hospitality venues, they are helping brands to connect with their guests and create memorable experiences that keep on bringing them back.
phs Greenleaf has been providing planting and grounds maintenance services to the hospitality sector for over 20 years. Stephen Dieppe, managing director at phs Greenleaf, reveals its top interior and exterior greenery trends for pubs, restaurants and hotels this year.
Biophilic designs
Create a serene environment that puts guests at ease by incorporating biophilic design into your hotel or restaurant. Biophilic design is about tapping into humans’ innate connections to nature and the positive experiences that being exposed to plants, trees and nature can bring to an individual, including improved well-being and a sense of calm.
By introducing plants and natural materials into a space, whether it’s tranquil moss walls or vibrant bursts of flowers, you can help your guests connect with nature and feel safe and content in your space. They don’t even need to be real plants if the upkeep or natural light doesn’t allow, artificial plants can be just as effective.
Keep it natural
Sustainability and eco-friendly designs are big interior trends this year. Guests are increasingly demanding sustainable practices from their venues. By using native plants and natural materials, like driftwood, pebbles or bark, in your interior landscaping, you can send an important message about your ethos, as well as creating a stylish natural look that’s bang-on -trend.
Edible gardens are also gaining popularity thanks to the farm-to-table approach many dining venues are taking. These are helping restaurants and hotels to stand out to eco-conscious guests. Herb gardens, vegetable patches and fruit trees in outdoor spaces showcase your commitment to sustainability and seasonality and add a touch of charm.
Muted colours
In keeping with the theme, this year’s colour palette of choice is soft and neutral. Think light mocha tones, muted greens, warm browns and soft terracotta to give a calm, earthy vibe that instantly relaxes a space. Floral displays are likely to be minimalistic and textured, making the most of other natural materials like feathers, moss and pampas grass to create a luxurious and creative aesthetic.
Big, bold plant displays
Perfect for lobbies or in the centre of a restaurant, a statement plant installation can become a focal point of any space. Hospitality venues often use large, preserved trees, vertical plant displays and large living walls, both real and artificial, to create dramatic and ‘Instagramable’ feature pieces that draw guests in and keep them returning.
Exterior landscaping
Your exterior is a window into the experience guests will have in your venue so the importance of exterior landscaping should not be underestimated. Guests will use your exterior appearance to judge whether or not they will enjoy their experience once inside. First impressions count!
Many pubs, restaurants and hotels use large, flourishing hanging baskets, bursting with colour, to give them the ‘wow’ factor and help them stand out on the high street. Window boxes and flower or plant troughs are also very effective at connecting with the customer.
If you have a garden or rooftop area, you have another opportunity to help your guests reconnect with nature for the ultimate feel-good factor. Fill your space with lush greenery and creative vibrant displays and make it a destination in itself.
phs Greenleaf provides planting services including indoor and outdoor plants, artificial and live planting, living walls, grounds maintenance and Christmas trees and decorations.
Part of the phs Group, phs Greenleaf supplies over 8,000 customers in a range of sectors with high quality horticultural services. As well as supplying and installing everything from potted plants to live trees, phs Greenleaf’s experienced and knowledgeable team also conduct regular maintenance visits on site to tend to the plants installed.