Interior Rewilding – Creating An Office Jungle

Interior rewilding is a trend that's recently been gaining popularity, and for good reason. It's a way to bring a little bit of the wild into our everyday lives, to create spaces that are not only functional but also inspiring and rejuvenating. One place where the rewilding trend is particularly relevant is in the office. After all, most of us spend the majority of our waking hours at work, so why not make it a place where we can thrive?

In this article, we'll explore the concept of interior rewilding and show you how to create an office jungle that will make you feel like you're on a tropical vacation, even when you're stuck at your desk.

So, what is "interior rewilding" anyway? Simply put, it's the process of bringing elements of nature into the built environment. This can include anything from plants and flowers to rocks and water features. The goal is to create spaces that are more in tune with the natural world and that promote wellbeing and creativity.

When it comes to creating an office jungle, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. The first is, of course, plants. A wide variety of plants can be used to create a jungle-like atmosphere, from tall palms to creeping ivies.

Thinking of your space in four zones can help to think about what plants to put where. Work from floor-to-ceiling with large floor standing plants starting at the floor and reaching high, mid sized plants making up the bulk of your wild display - creating texture and varying shades of green - include ground covering plants like ferns, pilea and tradescantia to help hide any soil, and look at trailing and hanging plants suspended for shelving or ceilings to really submerse yourselves in a jungle environment. 

Choose plants that are well-suited to the light and temperature conditions of your office, and be sure to provide them with adequate water and nutrition.

Next, think about the textures and colours of the materials you use in your office. In a jungle, everything is lush and verdant, with a wide variety of textures and hues. To bring this sense of vibrancy and diversity into your office, consider potting your plants in containers that mirror natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo. You could also incorporate a mix of different patterns and textures, and even introduced materials like cement and concrete for a contrasting and contemporary take on an urban jungle.

It might seem a little strange trying to recreate equatorial jungle conditions in central London, Manchester or Aberdeen where the sun is somewhat less bright at times. In a jungle though, light filters through the tree canopy, creating dappled shadows and mostly indirect light for ground dwelling plants. Artificial lighting goes a surprisingly long way to recreating the wavelengths most shade tolerant plants need to thrive. Counterintuitively, don’t position your plants too close to a window where temperatures are more extreme and direct sunlight can damage more delicate leaves.

Of course, creating an office jungle is not just about aesthetics. There are also many benefits to be gained from bringing nature into the workplace. Studies have shown that being surrounded by plants can improve air quality, reduce stress, and increase productivity. Additionally, incorporating natural elements into the office can foster creativity and collaboration, and make the space feel more welcoming and inclusive.

As you can see, creating an office jungle is a fun and rewarding way to bring a little bit of the wild into your everyday life. By incorporating plants, lighting, textures, and sound, you can create a space that's not only beautiful but also energizing and inspiring. So why not give it a try?

You don't have to jump straight in with a full jungle for your rewilding project. You can start with a few indoor plants and plant pots and if you like it, see how your collection grows.