Built In, Not Added On: A Designer’s Guide to Greenery in Commercial Joinery

Greenery has become an increasingly familiar part of commercial interior design. From integrated planters dividing work zones to cascading greenery overhead, plants can soften hard architectural lines, introduce texture and bring a more natural feel to the built environment.

But there’s a difference between finding somewhere to put a plant and actually designing for one.

When greenery is going to form part of commercial joinery, thinking about it early can make all the difference. The right planning helps protect the joinery, makes ongoing plant maintenance easier and, importantly, gives plants the conditions they need to thrive.

Here are some of the key things designers should be thinking about.

Start the greenery conversation early

Plants are often one of the last things physically installed in a commercial interior, but they shouldn't be one of the last things considered.

If greenery is going to be incorporated into custom joinery, bringing your greenery supplier into the conversation during the design stage gives everyone an opportunity to work through the practical requirements before construction begins.

How large will the plants be? Will they be living or artificial? How will technicians access them? Is there enough natural or artificial light? How will water be contained?

Answering these questions early can help create joinery that looks seamless once the plants go in, while also making sure it works behind the scenes.

Design for the plant, not just the planter

One of the easiest things to overlook when designing integrated planters is what actually sits inside them. Living plants are generally supplied in standard sized grow pots, so the internal dimensions of the joinery need to accommodate those pots rather than simply allowing enough room for visible foliage.

Clearance matters too. Adequate space around grow pots makes installation and removal easier, improves airflow and allows plants to be accessed for ongoing care.

Plant selection and joinery design should therefore go hand in hand. If you're envisioning large statement plants, dense planting or cascading greenery, it's worth establishing those requirements before the dimensions are locked in.

Parker Road's Joinery Construction Guide includes grow pot specifications and recommended clearances to help designers and joiners plan these details accurately.

Think about water before you think about watering

If you're incorporating living plants into commercial joinery, moisture management is a big one. Joinery housing live plants should be sealed and moisture resistant, with appropriate internal protection such as concealed drip trays or liners to help contain excess water.

Without these considerations, spills and moisture can potentially damage joinery and surrounding finishes, creating a much bigger problem after installation. It's one of those details that nobody sees when it's done properly, and everybody notices when it isn't.

Make maintenance easy

Beautiful greenery on installation day is one thing. Keeping it beautiful is another. Living plants need ongoing access for watering, pruning, grooming and, when required, replacement. Joinery should allow plant technicians to carry out that maintenance without dismantling the surrounding space every time they visit.

Removable panels or top plates can make a significant difference, particularly where plants are more deeply integrated into the joinery.

It's also important to consider how easily plants can physically be removed and replaced.

Good commercial greenery design doesn't just ask, "How will the plants look here?" It also asks, "How will we look after them?"

Don't forget lighting

A spot might look perfect for greenery on a floor plan, but plants have their own opinion on the matter. Available light is one of the biggest factors in determining whether living plants will thrive in a particular position. Plant selection should therefore respond to the actual lighting conditions of the space.

For commercial projects incorporating living greenery, access to a convenient cold water source for plant technicians should also form part of the planning process.

Not sure whether there's enough light? This is another reason to get your greenery team involved early. Parker Road can assess the space and help determine which plants are best suited to the conditions.

Know when to go artificial

Sometimes the best plant for a space isn't a living one. Areas with limited light, difficult maintenance access or overhead planters can be much better suited to artificial greenery.

And choosing artificial doesn't mean compromising on the design.

Integrated artificial planting can range from sparse, architectural arrangements through to full, lush garden beds. Parker Road also has installation solutions specifically designed for overhead planters where the interior of the planter isn't visible.

For designers, having both living and artificial greenery available means the solution can be chosen according to the location rather than trying to make a living plant work somewhere it simply won't thrive.

Consider how the planter will be finished

The finishing details can completely change the look of integrated greenery.

Open planter boxes can be left open around individual grow pots or backfilled, depending on the project. Another option is a mulch plate, which can be designed with cut outs to accommodate individual grow pots and finished with a preferred topping.

For artificial greenery, a complete garden bed can create a clean, fully finished appearance, particularly in public spaces and planters positioned below eye level.

These decisions are both aesthetic and practical, so it's worth discussing the intended finish with your greenery supplier before the joinery goes into production.

Greenery should feel like part of the design

The best integrated greenery doesn't look like it was added to a space at the end. It feels like it was always meant to be there.

By considering plant size, planter dimensions, moisture protection, access, lighting and maintenance during the design process, commercial joinery can accommodate greenery in a way that's visually seamless and practical for the long term.

And you don't need to have all the answers yourself. Parker Road works with interior designers, architects, builders and joiners from concept through to installation, helping determine plant quantities, sizes and styles, as well as whether living or artificial greenery is the right choice for each part of a project.

Planning greenery into your next commercial project?

We've created a Joinery Construction Guide with practical specifications and guidance for incorporating living and artificial plants into custom joinery.

View the Parker Road Joinery Construction Guide for detailed grow pot specifications, planter requirements and installation options, or get our team involved early and we'll help you plan a greenery solution that works beautifully with your design.