Blogs

We often think of bonsai as tiny trees, but technically, bonsai is the art or practice of cultivating these miniature wonders – not the trees themselves! The practice of bonsai involves growing miniature versions of tree species in small pots, using cultivation techniques such as pruning, root reduction, potting and defoliation. So, a bonsai tree is not a single species, but a tree of any species that has been grown using bonsai methods. Out of all the trees we install at Vantage, bonsai trees attract the most awe and wonder. They are captivating and mystical, often imparting a deep sense of tranquillity – no wonder they are regarded as natural works of art all over the world!

Stairwells and staircases are a necessary and functional part of the office, and because of this, they are sometimes overlooked, appearing stark, angular and unloved. However, with a little bit of design inspiration and biophilic magic, these spaces can be transformed into vibrant corners of the office where teams make meaningful connections. Plants can often thrive in these spaces, improving air quality and aesthetic appeal, whilst providing a visual break from the typical office setting. The addition of soft seating can create a bustling area to congregate, enhancing the overall environment and making the most of every inch of available space. Here are some of the ways we use biophilia to transform these neglected spaces.

Earlier this month, Vantage Spaces launched the first of a series of events, where we host groups from individual customers for a few hours of off-site team-building. Our showroom is nestled in the heart of the design district in Clerkenwell, and full of biophilic inspiration for those looking to introduce the power of planting into their interiors. We share the showroom with Spacestor, known for their space-defining furniture. Together, we aim to demonstrate what a people-centred, biophilic workspace can look like. It’s also a jolly nice space to spend a few hours doing something nice!

Our planting designers are adept at incorporating biophilic design into all sorts of office spaces. There is an art to achieving a cohesive scheme that enhances the appeal of a space and provides a valuable connection with nature. Fortunately, we can choose from a myriad of different plants, mixing tones, textures and patterns to create displays that pop. In particular, plants with multi-coloured or two-toned variegated leaves are great for adding interest and contrast. Here are a few of our favourites!

If you attended Clerkenwell Design Week 2024 (CDW), we hope that you came away as inspired as we did – if a little exhausted! We’re very grateful for all those that came and visited our showroom. But did you also spot Vantage planting elsewhere on your travels? As well as taking part and running our own showroom at CDW, we also helped clients to get their showrooms looking stunning before the event, so it was an extremely busy and adrenaline-fuelled time for us. After all, we all want to look our best for a week of meeting and greeting, and that’s where the power of planting comes in. For those who didn’t manage to attend, and those interested in revisiting highlights of the week, here are some of the showrooms that featured our planting designs.

Following on from our blog looking at the plant genus ‘ficus’, we thought we’d take a closer look at another plant genus close to our hearts: the philodendron. Philodendrons frequently feature in our biophilic designs – read on to find out why!

Our EnviroZone mobile planters are popular with fast-moving businesses that want their spaces to work hard for them. A modern workspace must provide comfort and aesthetic appeal, but also have flexibility built in so that zones can be created as required. Modular and mobile furniture makes reconfiguration in a busy workspace much easier and we have recently added a new design to our EnviroZone range to make our planted furniture styles even more adaptable.

We’re passionate about plants at Vantage Spaces, and our #teamgreen tell us that many of our clients catch the ‘plant bug’ from being surrounded by plants at work. Our #teamgreen are often quizzed about different plants on their plant maintenance visits, so we thought we’d share a bit of our knowledge here by taking one plant genus at a time.

Introducing a planting scheme into your workspace is a great way of enhancing your brand and investing in the wellbeing of your workforce. It’s well recognised that the presence of plants enhances physical and mental health and increases creativity and productivity. But our clients are often surprised at how tailored biophilia can truly transform a space. Planting can be used to break a space up, provide privacy, create areas for focus or collaboration, or form vibrant green meeting spaces in which to merge with colleagues.

Looking ahead to 2024 and thinking about the future of office design, what is clear to us is that ‘just another day in the office’ is a thing of the past – something that we fully support. Out with the humdrum, we say – a day in the office should be a distinctive experience, an experience that is worth travelling in for. Here are some of our thoughts on how businesses will seek to achieve this in the coming year.

The workplace has undergone profound changes in recent times, driven by the advent of hybrid working and evolving workforce expectations. Employers now grapple with the challenge of enticing employees back to the office, especially with Generation Z (Gen Z) making a significant entrance into the workforce...

It’s easy to assume that living walls are only available to those with a big budget or a particular type of environment, but they are surprisingly accessible and many of our clients are delighted to discover that a living wall is easily attainable within their setting.

Throughout the course of our work, we have noticed that when we first embark on a biophilic design project, the client often has what might be described as a ‘marmite view’ of replica planting. Either they are vehemently opposed to having any replica planting, because they’ve seen it done badly somewhere and vowed never to have it. Or they definitely don’t want the ‘hassle’ of living plants and are adamant that they want replica plants only! Our experience is that this either/or approach doesn’t always result in the best designs - the most practical and effective solution is often somewhere in between.

As self-confessed plant-nerds, we get a huge kick out of transforming workspaces with planting, because we get to see people’s reactions when they are surrounded by nature. Biophilic design is engaging, inspiring, invigorating, calming – need we go on?

Whether a client is incorporating biophilia into their office for the first time or choosing to further ‘greenify’ their space with living plants, one of the burning questions is always ‘maintenance’. Naturally, everyone wants to keep their newly planted glossy green foliage looking as good as the day it was installed, and sometimes there is a little nervousness about how this might happen. The good news is, this is really easy when you choose our aftercare package!

We trod the pavements of Clerkenwell at the end of May at the much-anticipated Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) – an event we always look forward to. CDW is a hive of culture and creativity and a great place to connect and exchange ideas.

The office has changed immeasurably over the past few years with hybrid working becoming the norm rather than the exception, putting traditional workplace layouts under the microscope. Workspace design is a very stimulating place to be right now, with lots of innovation and a great deal of willingness to embrace new ways of working. Here are some of the trends we’ve seen developing over the last 12 months.

Although open plan spaces are common within office environments, interior designers and architects are generally careful to create different areas within these spaces so that they don’t feel too cavernous or exposed. Planting systems can be a very effective way of dividing up space without using ‘hard’ solid surfaces such as walls or dividers, which can sometimes feel a bit sterile and too ‘enclosed’.

Air quality is now something many employers are very conscious of in office environments. Progressive and aspirational building standards, such as Fitwel, WELL and SKA all recognise that air quality has a direct effect on health and wellbeing. Plants have been proven by NASA to have air purifying qualities and biophilic design is being widely incorporated in office schemes.

Small desk plants are the best way to brighten up your workspace. A few indoor plants can make your desk feel a little cosier, even in the darkest offices. Just make sure to consider the natural light conditions and opt for plants that require very little maintenance. After all, they will have to fend for themselves on weekends and during the holidays. From air plants to aloe plants, there are countless options to make your workspace feel a little more like home.

Branded Moss Walls are incredible, requiring limited ongoing maintenance to keep them looking beautiful while bringing multiple wellbeing benefits. Our team can create custom designs to your specification, incorporating your desired configuration and branding. Here are our top five ways you can use our preserved moss walls in your workspace.

First impressions count, right? The moment someone walks into your workspace, sharing your brand, ethos and values is vital, so your reception space is very important. The right reception space can help to influence prospective clients and employees, help land contracts, put people at ease, or simply give employees a warm feeling every time they enter the building.

The abundant benefits of plants within the workplace has led to biophilia becoming one of the top trends in office interior design. Connecting humans with nature balances our need for a focused indoor environment with our biological desires for natural harmony. Before we dive into the benefits, let’s have a quick look at what biophilic design is and its importance when designing the offices of the future...

A vertical garden, also known as a living wall, is one of the latest trends in biophilic interior design. Living walls bring the benefits of greenery without compromising on space. In this article, we bring together advice from our design specialists, who have a great deal of experience in vertical garden design.

Moss walls (also known as moss panels) are purely constructed from clusters of preserved moss and or living moss mounted onto steel panels or backing boards onto your office walls. Unlike living green walls, moss walls are flowerless plants that often thrive in unlit and damp locations, so are perfect for offices with fewer windows!

A vertical garden, also known as a living wall, is one of the latest trends in biophilic interior design. Living walls bring the benefits of greenery without compromising on space. In this article, we bring together advice from our design specialists, who have a great deal of experience in vertical garden design.

Biophilic design is more than just bringing the outside in, but the importance of having open space, natural light, natural materials, textures and plants as well. It’s the idea of reconnecting humans with nature through the integration of light, greenery, water and other natural elements.

The office should feel like a second home. Incorporating plants into your office interior can help to create a vibrant and relaxing environment, much like your own living room. And for the days you're not in, these low-maintenance plants are the perfect choice, requiring minimal maintenance.

Walls covered in lush greenery are the ultimate design statement, providing visual impact as well as the uplifting feeling of being near to nature. Planted walls can also soften acoustics, improve energy efficiency and absorb excess CO2 and other potentially harmful particulates. But where to start? What conditions are needed? And what will suit your space in the long term? Don’t worry – we have all the answers! Read on to find out which living wall is right for you.