Interior Landscapes
for Exceptional Spaces

Last week, our design team headed to the Atlanta Market—one of the most influential design events in the country—to look ahead at what’s next for luxury hospitality, Class A office spaces, and emerging office design trends. Our goal was to gather inspiration that translates directly into the environments you manage, design, and care about.

Leaning on classic and enduring design first, we build elements of new trends in a way that is unique to each building, each client and each brand. The Atlanta Market offered an incredible array of new products, and we returned to Chicago inspired and eager to bring fresh ideas to our clients’ spaces.

More About Office Plant Design

Staying ahead of these movements is critical because the definition of a premier workplace is constantly evolving. For our clients, incorporating these emerging office design trends is not merely about decoration—it is a strategic investment in tenant satisfaction and asset value. In a market where occupants are seeking deeper connection and comfort, a space that feels curated and current can be the deciding factor in lease renewals and daily engagement. We track these shifts so that your properties dont just keep up, but lead with confidence.

What we saw during our visit confirmed something we believe deeply—design is becoming more intentional, more emotional, and more rooted in familiarity. We left thinking about three things:

1. Vintage Nostalgia

There’s a growing desire for pieces that feel storied and timeless rather than overly trendy. Vintage-inspired finishes, heirloom silhouettes, and subtle nods to the past are making a strong return—especially in holiday décor. When paired with lush greenery, these elements create warmth, authenticity, and a sense of place that feels both elevated and inviting.

Expanding on this in the context of broader office design trends, we are seeing a shift away from the sterile, ultra-modern corporate aesthetic. Incorporating storied elements—even if they are new reproductions—adds a layer of psychological comfort known as resimercial design. By blending the durability of office furniture with the soulfulness of vintage aesthetics, workplaces can foster a sense of history and stability that grounds employees in an increasingly digital world.

2. Classic Colors, Refined

Neutral palettes and traditional hues are taking center stage again. Think rich greens, warm ivories, soft metallics, and restrained contrast. These classic color stories provide longevity, allowing seasonal installations to feel elegant rather than fleeting.

This return to tradition aligns perfectly with sustainable office design trends, where the focus is on creating spaces that do not need to be overhauled every few years. A refined, classic backdrop allows companies to evolve their branding or seasonal decor without clashing with the permanent architecture. It signifies a move toward quiet luxury in the workplace—environments that feel expensive and thoughtful through texture and tone rather than loud, temporary gimmicks.

3. Red Is Back

Perhaps the boldest takeaway: red has officially re-entered the conversation. From deep burgundy to true, saturated crimson, red is showing up with confidence—particularly in holiday design. Used intentionally, it delivers drama, energy, and a sense of celebration without overwhelming a space.

Current office design trends favor boldness in communal areas. We are seeing these deep crimsons and burgundies utilized effectively in lobbies, collaborative breakout zones, and social hubs to stimulate conversation and energy. When balanced with the neutral palettes mentioned above, red becomes a sophisticated power move rather than a distraction.

Bringing These Trends to Your Space

We returned to Chicago inspired and eager to bring these fresh ideas to our clients spaces. By leaning on these enduring design principles, we can build elements of new trends in a way that is unique to each building and brand.

If you are thinking about refreshing your interiors or want to explore how these office design trends can revitalize your workspace, we’d love to continue the conversation.

The Subtle Choice That Separates Premium Properties From the Rest

Walk into a truly high-end building—whether it’s a Class A office tower, a five-star hotel, or a flagship corporate headquarters—and you’ll notice something immediately.

The space feels intentional. Curated. Polished.

And while architecture, lighting, and furnishings all play a role, there’s another element quietly reinforcing that sense of quality: the plants.

In interior landscaping in Chicago, top-tier properties consistently avoid what many casually refer to as “grocery store plants.” This isn’t about snobbery or price alone. It’s about standards, longevity, brand perception, and the realities of maintaining living elements in demanding environments.

This article explores why high-end properties make this distinction, what “grocery store plants” actually represent in commercial settings, and how thoughtful interior landscaping can support premium experiences—especially in hospitality Chicago environments.

What Are “Grocery Store” Plants, Really?

The term “grocery store plants” isn’t meant literally.

It’s shorthand for plants that are:

• Mass-produced for short-term enjoyment
• Grown quickly with minimal root development
• Intended for residential, low-stress environments
• Sold without consideration for long-term performance

These plants are designed to look good now—not to perform consistently in lobbies, offices, or hospitality spaces with artificial lighting, temperature swings, and constant foot traffic.

In contrast, the interior landscaping at Chicago’s best and busiest commercial buildings, source plants specifically grown for that environment, with established root systems and long-term resilience.

Why This Distinction Matters in High-End Properties

High-end properties operate under a different set of expectations.

In luxury environments:

• Details are scrutinized
• Inconsistencies are noticed
• Maintenance failures reflect poorly on the entire brand

Using short-lived or inappropriate indoor plants introduces risk—risk that premium properties simply can’t take.

Brand Perception Starts at the Floor Level

Guests and tenants may not know why a space feels elevated—but they feel it.

Plants communicate:

• Care
• Investment
• Permanence
• Professionalism

When plants look temporary or stressed, they undermine the perception of quality.

This is especially true in hospitality spaces in Chicago, where lobbies, lounges, and public spaces are extensions of the brand experience. Grocery store plants—no matter how healthy they look on day one—rarely hold up under these expectations.

Longevity vs. Instant Gratification

One of the core reasons high-end properties avoid grocery store plants is longevity.

Mass-market plants are grown for quick turnover:

• Shallow root systems
• Lightweight soil
• Short production cycles

In commercial interiors, these traits lead to:

• Faster decline
• Higher replacement rates
• Inconsistent appearance

Professional interior landscaping prioritizes plant selection of those that are grown slowly and intentionally—plants that settle into a space and improve over time rather than decline.

The Maintenance Reality High-End Properties Understand

Plant Maintenance Is Not Optional

Premium properties don’t just install plants—they maintain them at a high standard.However, plant maintenance can only go so far if the plant itself isn’t suitable for the environment.

Grocery store plants often:

• React poorly to artificial lighting
• Struggle with consistent watering schedules
• Show stress quickly in public spaces

No amount of expert care can turn a short-term retail plant into a long-term commercial performer.

This is why interior landscape designers select plants specifically grown for interiors—and back them with design-aware maintenance.

Consistency Matters More Than Individual Plants

High-end properties think in systems, not individual pieces.

They evaluate:

• How plants look across the entire building
• Whether installations age evenly
• How replacements integrate visually

Retail plants introduce inconsistency. When one fails quickly and another survives, the visual rhythm of the space breaks down. In luxury environments, inconsistency reads as neglect.

Hospitality Chicago: Where the Stakes Are Highest

Hotels are among the most demanding environments for interior landscaping.

In hospitality Chicago, plants must:

• Perform under constant visibility
• Withstand photography and social media
• Align with brand refresh cycles
• Remain flawless in high-traffic areas

A struggling plant in a hotel lobby isn’t just a maintenance issue—it’s a brand issue.

This is why luxury hotels avoid grocery store plants entirely. They invest in interior landscaping that prioritizes reliability, aesthetics, and long-term performance.

The Design-First Perspective

Another key difference: high-end properties treat plants as design elements, not accessories.

Design-forward interior landscaping Chicago approaches consider:

• Scale and proportion
• Texture and contrast
• Relationship to architecture and furnishings

Grocery store plants are chosen for availability—not for how they complete a space. Designers and property teams working at a high level understand that plant selection is as intentional as furniture or lighting.

Risk Management in Premium Properties

High-end properties are conservative about risk—but not about quality.

They avoid grocery store plants because:

• Replacement cycles are unpredictable
• Appearance degrades unevenly
• Maintenance costs increase over time

Ironically, retail plants often cost more in the long run due to frequent replacement and reactive care.

Professional plant maintenance paired with commercial-grade plants reduces risk and stabilizes long-term costs.

Why Some Buildings Still Use Retail Plants

So why do grocery store plants still show up in commercial spaces?

Typically because:

• Plants were added as an afterthought
• Budget was prioritized over longevity
• No design partner was involved

These choices often occur in spaces without a long-term interior strategy.

High-end properties, by contrast, view plants as part of the building’s identity.

How High-End Interior Landscaping Is Sourced

Professional interior landscaping Chicago providers source plants differently.

They look for:

• Established root systems
• Proven indoor performance
• Specimens grown specifically for interiors

This sourcing process is invisible to guests—but essential to consistent results.

The Role of Plant Maintenance in Protecting Design

Even the best plants require expert care.

High-end properties expect plant maintenance that:

• Preserves design intent
• Maintains shape and proportion
• Addresses issues before they’re visible

Retail plants often require emergency fixes instead of proactive care—creating stress for property teams and inconsistent results.

Building Managers: Why This Matters to You

For building managers, plant choices affect:

• Tenant perception
• Guest experience
• Operational efficiency
• Vendor relationships

Choosing the right interior landscaping partner in Chicago means avoiding short-term solutions that create long-term headaches.

High-end properties don’t gamble on plants. They plan for performance.

The Hidden Cost of “Saving” on Plants

Cutting corners on plants often leads to:

• Frequent replacements
• Increased labor
• Visual inconsistency
• Complaints you shouldn’t have to manage

In premium environments, these issues erode trust—internally and externally.

That’s why high-end properties consistently avoid grocery store plants, even when budgets allow for them.

Amlings’ Perspective on Interior Landscaping

At Amlings, we work with some of Chicago’s most demanding environments.

We understand that:

• Plants are brand ambassadors
• Maintenance is part of design
• Shortcuts always show

Our interior landscaping approach is design-first, maintenance-driven, and built for longevity—especially in hospitality Chicago and Class A commercial properties.

If you’re managing or designing a high-end property, your plant choices matter more than you think.

Consider Amlings interior landscaping services to ensure your indoor plants support your brand, your standards, and your long-term goals.

Not sure if your current plant program is meeting high-end expectations?

Contact Amlings to learn more about interior landscaping Chicago leaders trust—and how professional plant maintenance protects premium spaces.

Final Thought: Quality Is Never Accidental

High-end properties avoid grocery store plants for the same reason they avoid cheap finishes or poor lighting. Because quality shows. And shortcuts always surface.

If your space is meant to feel elevated, your plants must be, too. Let’s make sure they are.

A New Year, A Fresh Lens on Your Property

The start of a new year is one of the few moments when property managers can pause, zoom out, and evaluate what’s truly working—and what quietly isn’t.

Budgets reset. Contracts renew. Expectations shift.

For professionals in Chicago property management, these early-year evaluations are critical. They set the tone not just for operations, but for how tenants, guests, and owners perceive the property for the next 12 months.

One area that often gets overlooked until there’s a visible problem?

Office plants in Chicago commercial spaces and the broader interior environment they shape.

This guide walks through what property managers should evaluate at the start of every year—strategically, practically, and visually—with a special focus on the indoor plants Chicago buildings depend on, the design behind interior landscaping, and the role of biophilia in modern commercial properties.

1. Overall First Impressions: See Your Property Like a Tenant

Before diving into spreadsheets or contracts, start with a walkthrough.

At the beginning of the year, property managers should evaluate:

• Lobbies and entry points
• Common areas and amenities
• Elevator banks and corridors
• Tenant-facing spaces

Ask yourself:

• Does this space feel intentional or tired?
• Does it reflect the level of property we want to position?
• Would this impress a prospective tenant seeing it for the first time?

Indoor plants often play a starring role in these impressions. Healthy, well-placed greenery signals care. Neglected plants signal the opposite—immediately.

2. The Condition of Your Office Plants

Evaluate Health, Not Just Presence

Many properties technically “have plants,” but the real question is whether those plants are helping or hurting perception.

At the start of every year, evaluate:

• Leaf health (yellowing, browning, thinning)
• Overall fullness and growth patterns
• Soil condition and surface treatments
• Evidence of inconsistent care

In Chicago property management, poorly maintained office plants are one of the fastest ways a space can feel neglected—especially in high-traffic Class A buildings.

If plants are no longer enhancing the environment, it may be time for a refresh or a new interior landscaping approach.

3. Are Your Office Plants Still the Right Design Fit?

Design evolves—even if renovations haven’t happened recently.

Early-year evaluation should include:

• Do plant selections still complement finishes and furnishings?
• Do containers feel current or dated?
• Has tenant mix or building branding changed?

The office plants Chicago properties rely on should match the level of investment made elsewhere in the space. Outdated planters next to new finishes create visual friction tenants notice immediately.

4. Consistency Across the Property

One of the most important yearly evaluations is consistency.

Property managers should assess:

• Are some areas beautifully maintained while others are ignored?
• Does the plant program feel cohesive across floors and amenities?
• Do older installations clash with newer spaces?

Consistency is a hallmark of strong property management among Chicago teams. A unified interior landscaping strategy ensures every tenant-facing area supports the same message: this building is cared for.

5. Vendor Performance and Communication

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to evaluate vendors.

For plant and interior landscaping partners, ask:

• Are issues addressed proactively or reactively?
• Do you hear from them before you notice problems?
• Is communication clear, professional, and timely?

With indoor plants, proactive maintenance and communication are just as important as design. A vendor who understands commercial environments makes your job easier—not harder.

6. Contract Timing and Scope

Many plant service contracts renew annually or on multi-year cycles. Early-year review is essential.

Evaluate:

• Is the scope still appropriate for the property’s needs?
• Are you paying for outdated installations?
• Is there room to improve quality or design?

7. Tenant Expectations Have Changed—Has Your Interior?

Tenant expectations continue to rise.

Office environments are now expected to feel:

• Welcoming
• Comfortable
• Elevated
• Human-centered

This is where biophilia becomes especially relevant.

Biophilia—the concept of connecting people with nature—has moved from a buzzword to an expectation in many commercial spaces. While not every property needs dramatic installations, thoughtful office plants in Chicago offices support these expectations in a subtle but powerful way.

8. Functional Role of Plants in the Space

Plants aren’t just visual elements—they’re functional tools.

At the start of the year, evaluate how plants are used to:

• Define zones in open layouts
• Improve acoustics
• Create privacy without walls
• Guide movement and wayfinding

Strong interior landscaping enhances how a space works, not just how it looks.

9. Are You Protecting the Value of Your Investment?

Plants are living assets.

Without proper care, they decline—and so does the value they bring to your property.

Early-year evaluation should consider:

• Replacement frequency
• Long-term maintenance strategy
• Whether current care standards meet expectations

For Chicago buildings, meticulous upkeep of indoor plants is not a luxury—it’s what protects the original investment and the building’s reputation.

10. Alignment With Ownership and Asset Goals

Property managers often act as the bridge between daily operations and long-term ownership goals.

Ask:

• Does the current interior environment support leasing strategy?
• Does it reinforce the building’s class and positioning?
• Are there opportunities to elevate perception without major renovation?

Updating the office plants within Chicago properties can be one of the most efficient ways to enhance perceived value.

11. Seasonal and Annual Planning

The start of the year is also the right time to plan ahead.

Consider:

• When seasonal updates may be needed
• How spring growth impacts interior plant care
• Whether certain spaces could benefit from redesign

Planning early allows property management teams in Chicago to stay ahead—rather than reacting later.

12. Professionalism Behind the Scenes

Finally, evaluate how seamlessly your plant partner works within your building.

This includes:

• Understanding dock access and building logistics
• Coordinating with engineering and security teams
• Providing proper documentation and COIs

A professional interior landscaping partner should operate as an extension of your team, not a disruption.

Why Office Plants Matter More Than Ever

At the start of every year, property managers face dozens of priorities. Yet few elements are as visible—and as quietly influential—as office plants in Chicago commercial buildings.

They shape first impressions. They reflect standards. They communicate care.

Invest in Amlings’ Services

If you’re evaluating your property for the year ahead, now is the time to elevate your approach to office plants and interior landscaping.

Consider Amlings interior landscaping services to ensure your office plants in Chicago reflect the quality, professionalism, and care your property deserves.

Learn More or Start the Conversation

Not sure if your current plant program is meeting expectations? Curious how design-forward plant care could support your goals?

Contact Amlings to learn more about office plants Chicago property managers trust and how interior landscaping can protect and elevate your building year-round.

Final Thought: Start the Year With Intention

The best property managers don’t wait for complaints—they anticipate what tenants will notice next.