The Use of Plants in Retail Spaces and Their Impact on Store Atmosphere.
- Jul 16
- 5 min read
This topic relates to a concept that is still relatively unfamiliar, yet increasingly important in contemporary retail spaces: "Biophilic Design". In simple terms, it refers to the practice of bringing nature into commercial environments.
This approach is based on the integration of natural elements such as daylight, plants, and organic materials. Its purpose is not purely aesthetic; it is also intended to enhance the customer experience while creating spaces that feel more pleasant and engaging for the senses.
In a boutique, this type of design can have a real impact on the overall atmosphere. Plants and natural elements help create an environment that feels calmer, more welcoming, and sometimes even more upscale. They can influence visitors’ mood and, in some cases, even affect their purchasing behaviour.
This approach also shapes the way spaces are designed and experienced.
The idea is to offer different ways of inhabiting and moving through a store: open, bright areas that are easy to navigate, alongside quieter, more intimate, or more enveloping spaces. The integration of biophilic elements goes far beyond decoration alone. It contributes to the creation of positive emotions, helps establish a sense of trust, and reinforces the identity of the space itself.
Role of Plants in Retail Environments
Plants in retail spaces help create an atmosphere that feels more pleasant, more vibrant, and more harmonious. Their colours, textures, and the sense of freshness they bring naturally draw the eye, spark curiosity, and encourage visitors to explore the space more deeply. This interaction can also lead customers to spend more time in the store and discover a wider range of products.
Beyond their role in layout and product presentation, plants also influence how customers perceive the overall quality of a store. In a high-end retail environment, well-maintained greenery can evoke refinement, attention to detail, and a genuine care for the surroundings. This positive impression can then shape the way customers perceive not only the products themselves, but also the level of service being offered.
Plant Displays, Formats, and Integration into Store Design
It's important to understand that the role of each plant varies depending on its size and shape:
Large floor plants are often used to create a warmer, more intimate atmosphere, to structure the space, or to subtly separate different areas, while also bringing softness and a more welcoming feel to the retail environment.
It's also a good option, depending of the store, to group several plants together to create a green corner and more of a jungly feel in the store.
Potted plants placed on shelves, especially trailing varieties, can add character and life to the décor without taking up valuable floor space, which is often needed for circulation, product displays, or seating areas.
Putting a couple of plants on each shelf is a great way to breakdown a merchandise display and make it look livelier.
Most indoor plants placed on shelves don’t require much attention or care, unless for larger plants, which usually need at least occasional pruning and regular checks for dead leaves.
Hanging plants, in the same spirit as trailing plants, bring an elegant and visually distinctive touch while adding verticality to the space without cluttering the floor.
They are perfect for shops, boutiques and showrooms that don’t have a lot of floor and shelf space. It is possible to hang them on walls or from the ceiling, but this requires specific tools and proper support to secure the pots safely.
Plants can also be integrated into the entrance of a store or into seasonal displays in order to attract visitors’ attention and immediately set the tone for the brand universe.
Located at the entrance, the presence of greenery helps create a welcoming first impression and motivate the customer, walking in the street , to turn his/her head and check, at least, few seconds, the shops.
Well-maintained greenery can also reinforce a store’s image of quality and sophistication. It gives the impression of a carefully curated space, designed with attention to every detail, which can positively influence the way customers perceive both the products and the level of service being offered.
The choice of pots and containers also plays an important role, both aesthetically and in terms of plant wellbeing. Varying their shapes—round, square, or rectangular—can help create focal points, structure displays, and organise the space more effectively.
Materials matter as well: ceramic, terracotta, metal, wood, and plastic each bring different textures, levels of durability, and maintenance requirements. When chosen carefully, they become a full part of the store’s visual identity while also meeting the practical needs of the space.
Design, Selection, and Operational requirements
Space planning and experiential goals: integrating plants into a store layout should support the boutique’s identity and brand image while naturally guiding the customer journey without obstructing circulation.
When placed strategically, they complement other design elements such as lighting, display furniture, and merchandising in order to create a coherent atmosphere—one that encourages visitors to stay longer and engage more deeply with the products.
Fragrance and the sensory dimension: the integration of greenery can also contribute to the creation of a multisensory environment. Natural elements, and sometimes the scents associated with them, help enrich the atmosphere of the space and reinforce the store’s perceived value.
This aligns with the idea that the physical design of a retail environment has a strong influence on both purchasing behaviour and the customer’s overall experience.
How to Select Good Plant for your Shop ?
Plant durability and suitability for a high-traffic environment: it is important to choose plant species and containers that can withstand the conditions of a retail space, which is often enclosed and may be air-conditioned. Plants need to be resilient enough to handle occasional contact, friction, or minor impacts caused by customer traffic. Durable greenery, combined with sturdy pots, helps preserve the aesthetics of the space while reducing maintenance constraints.
For example, the Areca palm is ideal for entrances and corners. It is hardy enough to thrive in a high-traffic environment thanks to its thin, flexible leaves.
Placement, safety, and visual impact: the positioning of plants should enrich the space without obstructing visibility, circulation, or the presentation of products. Their placement therefore needs to be carefully considered in relation to customer flow, safety constraints, and the overall visual balance of the store.
For example, the Umbrella plant (Schefflera) is one of the most popular indoor plants, known for its strong visual impact, natural feel, and resilience over time.
Consistency with the intended effect: the goal is to create an atmosphere that feels calmer, more restorative, and more pleasant to experience, in line with the positive effects sought in terms of spatial perception and visitor behaviour. The visual appearance of the plants themselves is also important—they should be appealing and spark curiosity.
Customer Experience & Store Atmosphere
When it comes to space design, a well-designed store does more than make circulation easier. It can make customers feel comfortable and confident, create a more positive atmosphere, and help a brand stand out in a competitive market where the overall experience plays a key role in customer loyalty.
Approaches based on experiential design and biophilic design are increasingly being used to improve the atmosphere of commercial spaces. Brands are seeking to combine customer experience with the presence of natural elements, as these are often associated with more positive emotions, a stronger sense of wellbeing, and greater receptiveness among visitors.
Ultimately, indoor plants are not just decorative elements. In a retail space, they can shape the atmosphere, make the environment feel fresher and more welcoming, and contribute to a more positive overall experience. By improving the way customers feel in a space, they can also encourage them to stay longer, return more easily, and build a stronger connection with the place.
IN THE LIGHT Interior Design Studio
1-15-16 Musashigaoka, Kita-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, 861-8001
Comments