How do I make my space work for me?

I would pile the rack full of plants! Nothing like a wall of green!

You can put plants that need the most sunshine on the higher shelves and put plant supplies on the lower shelf. Keep a pretty watering can on one shelf, even if it's just for looks and maybe add a few gardening books on the lower shelves. Try to push the shelving in front of one window only.

Liz Toones' idea sounds good. Yes, just use the rack in front of one window. The larger plants on the top might make the rack top heavy which could mean that with the right nudge could make it fall over. However if you mixed the pots...one big. one small, one big, etc. That might be okay with smaller plants on the second shelf. I would use the hanging Ivy-like plant as the first one on the end at the top. Toward the centre of the double window. I see only a big dark rectangle behind or on the third shelf. I see there is lots of sunshine that will come through when the blinds are lifted. Good for plants that like lots of sunshine. So plants that survive well in part shade or all shade may be able to hide behind larger planters or go on a lower shelf. Geraniums like lots of sunshine (hint) Have fun...

To make it more pleasing for the living room area, I would place a basket at the bottom and fill with plants then add a few decorative pieces between the other plants you place on shelves above. I found a picture using a different, more decorative metal shelving unit, but it gets my idea across to you! Please share a photo of your completed unit when done! Happy creating!

By garden are you meaning vegetables, herbs or flowers? You should be able to grow most herbs .....maybe in cute matching pots. Lettuce, tomatoes and onions would grow in long deep pots. Keep the pots more sophisticated and make sure they compliment your living room decor. There are flowers that grow in almost any type of light so have some fun. There are tons of ideas on Pinterest for creating cute but inexpensive pots.....you could even spray paint your shelving unit!! Just have fun and try out a few new ideas.

I would place rack in the middle of the window, heavy duty protective mat underneath, spray paint the unit (black maybe), place nice looking tiles underneath pots, probably will paint all pots same color or color family (tan?) Don't make it too busy with lots of decorations..... Let us know what you decided...

Thank you, I will 😊

Have you seen the hanging shelves and other hanging planter ideas on this site? They can hang from your ceiling in front of the windows, but not block all of the light or interfere with the window's operation.. Some even hang in a chain as a vertical line of plants..

Hmm.. I'm in an apartment I don't want to put holes in the ceiling...

get a grow lifht

Hi Bette,

I think that would be cute. Are you thinking of little coloured storage boxes?

I'm sure it will look pretty and add warmth to your room.

I love this idea - but if you're in an apartment you'll have to get creative to hang them. Maybe there is some kind of command hook that will work. Look at this and let your creativity flow. BTW, there are no instructions, you'd have to figure it out yourself. If you click on the picture it's a bunch of ads . :(

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/200691727124831811/

HTH

You can get grow lights in LED. Most of the bulbs will fit any type of lamp, don't use a lot of power or heat up. LED bulbs cost more but last way longer. Would work great if you have a pole light or desk light that can be adjusted to right direction.

oh okay, thank you

Working this idea thx