Incorporating An Indoor Tree Into Your Japanese Home

January 23 2023

When it comes to creating a striking yet classy design statement, nothing beats having an indoor tree inside your home. In Japan, some homeowners have already incorporated trees into their modern home since not only does it look amazing, but it's a great way to naturally purify indoor air. Moreover, it brings a touch of serenity and nature to one's living space.

Architect Joe Chikamori of Japan-based firm 07Beach has worked on such a project for a family living in Kyoto. The house, which has high ceilings and an open-plan design, features a medium-sized tree right in the middle of the living space. The tree can be seen from the kitchen, dining room, and even the bathroom so that anyone who's bathing in the tub will feel as though they're in an open air bath. If you're thinking about adding greenery into your Japanese style home, here's how you can incorporate a real tree into your abode.

Build an Atrium or Interior Courtyard

Before placing a tree inside your home, you'll need to pick a tree variety that doesn't take up much space and only grows up to medium height. One such tree is the Japanese Plum Yew, which grows up to 10 feet high, and this variety is a good pick since it thrives well in the shade. For color, a sakura or cherry tree would be the perfect choice. However, this tree grows up to 24 feet high, so it may advisable to get a dwarf flowering cherry tree, such as a Hiromi weeping cherry tree. This variety grows up to 6 feet tall only, making it suitable for indoor planting or a small garden. You should also consider your ceiling height-- ideally, you'd want to have a double height ceiling. A standard ceiling is around 12 feet high, so a double height ceiling would be twice the standard measurement.

The easiest way to incorporate a tree into your home is to build an atrium or an interior courtyard. It's a great way to keep all your greenery contained in your indoor space and bring light and natural ventilation into your home. Plant the tree right in the middle of the courtyard, and surround the base with some rough stone. Adding a sitting area gives you a place to rest, entertain guests, or meditate in the atrium.

Add Bamboo Trees

Bamboo trees can give your home a modern Zen look. While you can certainly grow bamboo indoors, these trees will require a lot of care and attention. Moreover, they need at least six hours of sunlight to thrive, so ensure that your home gets plenty of sunlight. Plant bamboo varieties such as Pseudosasa japonica or dwarf green stripe bamboo in sturdy containers, and place these in sunny spots in your house.

Add Indoor Planting Areas in Your Home

For those who are building a new home, consider including indoor planting areas into your house's design. These areas can start at 5 feet by 7 feet and the soil should be encapsulated by the house's foundation. Plan on having these areas wherever you spend a lot of time in, such as the living room or the kitchen, and plant small, hardy trees, such as a fiddle leaf fig or a ficus.

Adding trees into your indoor space can enhance your home and wellbeing. Consider these ideas to incorporate trees into your living space and bring the beauty of nature into your home.

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