This 1970s Home Trend Is Finally Popular Again- And No, It Isn't Shag Rugs
Homes are getting greener again. Not just with a small succulent on a shelf or a single fiddle-leaf fig in the corner, either. People are channeling the 1970s and filling their spaces with trailing pothos, oversized monsteras, hanging plants in kitchen windows, and shelves layered with greenery from floor to ceiling.
The "indoor jungle" look has been around for years, especially in cities where smaller apartments encouraged people to create calmer indoor spaces. But in 2026, plants are becoming part of a home's atmosphere rather than just another decor trend.
@joy.of.plants I love my home but I think it's missing a few plants . . @joy.of.plants.shop . . #plantdecor#plantdesign#plantinspiration#urbanjungle#plantmom#joyofplantsshop
Lose Control (Instrumental) - Teddy Swims
Part of that stems from how people live in their homes now. Rooms have become workspaces, reading corners, gathering places, and somewhere to decompress at the end of a long day. Plants add texture, movement, and color, instantly changing the feeling of a room.
Related: Spaces Are Getting Smarter and More Stylish for Summer According to Yelp's 2026 Home Trends
Plants Are Becoming Part of the Design
One of the biggest shifts happening right now is the integration of plants into home design. People are arranging furniture around giant bird-of-paradise plants, adding layered greenery to bookshelves, and turning sunny windows into miniature indoor gardens.
Even in smaller spaces, more plants are finding a place because they make homes feel fuller and more lived-in without requiring a major renovation.
Part of what's driving this is the continued rise of biophilic design, a philosophy that centers on bringing natural elements into indoor spaces. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright famously believed homes should exist in harmony with their environment, and that idea has evolved into a much broader movement focused on designing spaces that feel more connected to nature.
Researchers have spent years studying the effects of greenery indoors, especially in offices and shared spaces. Studies have linked plants and other natural elements to lower stress levels and improved mood, as well as increased creativity and greater overall comfort indoors. That thinking has gradually moved into residential design too, especially as people spend more time at home.
Plant-filled spaces also tend to feel more collected over time. Different pots, different leaf shapes, plants growing at their own pace. The result feels layered, personal, and lived in.
Related: This Styling Trick Will Help Your Plant Collection Grow Without Taking Up Space
People Want Homes That Feel Alive
Plants soften rooms visually. They soften hard edges, add texture, and bring warmth to spaces that might otherwise feel flat or unfinished.
People are also paying closer attention to the smaller details that shape how a home feels day to day. Better lighting. Softer textiles. Cozy corners. Spaces that encourage rest and comfort.
A tray on a nightstand. A rug beside the bed. A growing collection of plants is slowly taking over the windowsill. These smaller choices reflect a bigger shift happening in home decor right now. People want homes that feel comfortable, personal, and alive. And there's something fitting about filling those spaces with living things, too. Plants take in the carbon dioxide we exhale and return oxygen into the air.
We live in nature, and nature lives within us.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 1:59 PM.