Country style is a warm, rustic look with wood, linen, and classic plants. In this style guide, you'll discover which plants will bring that cozy country house atmosphere into your home.
The most important thing in 30 seconds
+The country style brings the warm, rustic ambiance of a farmhouse indoors
+Wood and linen form the basis of this style
+Work with warm, soft shades and natural materials
+Classic houseplants, olive trees, and ivy are the favorites
+Choose robust, timeless plants instead of exotics
+Combine plants with wooden furniture and terracotta pots
What is National
The "country" interior style brings the warm, rustic atmosphere of a country house indoors. Rooted in outdoor living, the style revolves around honest materials like wood and linen, soft tones, and classic, robust plants. Green plays a leading role: it makes a space cozy, grounded, and timeless.
The atmosphere is snug, warm, and a little messy in a good way. You'll see solid wood, woven baskets, linen textiles, and the calming green of familiar plants. Nothing is sleek or clinical; everything feels like it's been there for years. It's an interior that invites you to come home, with the comfortable appeal of a house where outdoor living is never far away.
In this style guide, we show which plants and plant types suit the country style, from classic houseplants and olive trees for the conservatory to ivy and robust foliage plants. We share our top 5 from the collection and provide concrete styling tips, so you know how to create that warm country house atmosphere and which pitfalls to avoid.
Whether you're giving your entire interior a country twist or just want to set up a cozy green corner, you'll find the green foundation for a warm and timeless home here. Check out XXLplant's complete country collection and bring the outdoors in.
Characteristics of the National style
The building blocks that make a National interior recognizable.
1
Wood and linen as a base
The country style starts with honest, natural materials. Solid wood, linen, cotton and woven baskets bring warmth and a rustic look. Plants in a wooden or ceramic pot fit in naturally.
2
Warm, soft tones
The colour palette is calm and rooted in nature. Think off-white, sand tones, soft green and warm brown. These shades create a calm, timeless backdrop that classic plants fit into well.
3
Classic and robust plants
Country living likes plants you have known for generations. Classic houseplants, sturdy foliage plants and ivy all belong. No exotic outliers, but familiar species that radiate calm and permanence.
Which plants suit National
Classic houseplants
Hoogte, 80 to 150 cm
Familiar houseplants that have stood in homes for generations form the base. They radiate calm and permanence and go effortlessly with wooden furniture and soft tones.
Olive and fruit trees for the conservatory
Hoogte, 120 to 250 cm
An olive or fruit tree in the conservatory or by a bright window nods to life outdoors. Its gnarled trunk and soft foliage reinforce the rustic, country mood.
Ivy and green climbers
Hoogte, 100 to 200 cm
Ivy and other green climbers bring the outdoors in. Trained along a trellis or wall they add a natural, grown-in line that suits the timeless character of the style.
Robuuste bladplanten
Hoogte, 90 to 190 cm
Sturdy foliage plants with a full, green presence fill a corner without feeling heavy. Their robust character suits the cosy, grounded mood of country living.
Top 5 plants for a National interior
Onze favoriete planten voor een National interieur, gekozen door onze stylingexperts. Met per plant de reden waarom hij werkt.
The Olea Europaea on a stem brings outdoor life indoors. With its gnarled trunk and soft grey-green foliage it suits wooden furniture and linen perfectly. At 160 cm a warm focal point by the window or in the conservatory.
The Olea Europaea Cultivo is the largest of the top 5 and works as a statement in a bright conservatory or veranda. Its sturdy trunk and full crown give the country space a rustic, rooted centrepiece.
The Nerium Oleander bush stands for the classic garden. Full of foliage and with the promise of flowers, it adds volume and softness. A timeless choice that makes the country mood warmer and cosier.
The grapevine points to the kitchen garden and life outdoors. With its branched trunk and green foliage it adds a natural, climbing line and fits seamlessly with the rustic, grounded country style.
The artificial olive tree gives the country look with no upkeep. Ideal for a dark corner or a spot where a real plant would struggle. At 140 cm it is a timeless green addition that always stays full.
Styling tips for National
Do
Kies klassieke terracotta of keramiek
Work with pots in terracotta or matt ceramic in warm earth tones. The artisanal material suits wood and linen and reinforces the style's rustic, timeless mood.
Do
Combine with wooden furniture
Place plants next to or on solid wooden furniture. The warm wood and the greenery reinforce each other and bring the grounded, cosy look that defines country living.
Do
Group plants around a window
Gather a few plants by a bright window or in the conservatory. The light makes the greenery glow and the grouping creates a natural, grown-in spot in the home.
Don't
Avoid brightly coloured modern pots
Bright colours and high-gloss pots break the calm, warm mood. They draw attention away from the plant and clash with the timeless country style.
Don't
Do not go too exotic
Pronounced tropical or variegated plants do not suit the style. Stick to familiar, classic species that radiate calm and permanence rather than standing out.
Don't
Avoid a clinical look
Too sleek, bare or sterile works against the style. Country living is allowed to be warm and a little messy, so add textiles, wood and some volume for a cosy whole.
Frequently asked questions about National
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the National style.
Which plants suit a country interior?+
Choose classic, robust plants that radiate calm. Familiar houseplants, olive and fruit trees for the conservatory, ivy and green climbers and sturdy foliage plants all fit. Stick to grounded, timeless species rather than pronounced exotics.
Which pots suit a country style?+
Terracotta and matt ceramics in warm earth tones are the natural choice. Wooden planters and woven baskets work well too. Keep pots artisanal and calm so they match the wood and linen in the room.
What is the difference between country and Mediterranean?+
Both styles are warm and rustic, but country leans on wood, linen and northern outdoor life, while Mediterranean is about terracotta, natural stone and the southern sun. Country feels cosy and snug, Mediterranean feels sunny and open.
Can an olive tree suit a country interior?+
Yes, an olive tree suits a country interior well, especially in a conservatory or by a bright window. Its gnarled trunk and soft foliage match outdoor life and the rustic mood. Give it plenty of light and water sparingly.
How do I create a country feel with plants?+
Start with a few classic plants in terracotta or wooden pots and place them beside wooden furniture. Group several plants around a window and add textiles. A few deliberate choices already bring the warm, grounded mood in.
Are country-style plants easy to care for?+
Generally yes. The style leans on robust, familiar species that are not demanding. Give them a fixed spot with enough light and a regular watering rhythm and they stay beautiful for years.
Does the country style work in a small home too?+
Absolutely. Country style works well in a small home too. Choose one or two classic plants in terracotta, combine with a wooden piece of furniture and keep it warm and calm. You do not need a conservatory to bring the mood indoors.
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Prachtige bananenplant ontvangen. Groot, frisgroen blad en duidelijk van goede kwaliteit. Hij werd stevig verpakt geleverd en kwam zonder schade aan.
De plant staat hier in op kantoor en geeft meteen veel sfeer. Verzorging is tot nu toe eenvoudig en hij oogt erg gezond. Zeer tevreden over de kwaliteit en service. Zeker een aanrader om hier te bestellen. Ik had 3 planten tegelijk besteld - alle 3 waren ze top.
De Ficus Lyrata is precies zoals verwacht. Mooie volle plant, gezond blad en netjes op hoogte. Hij kwam goed verpakt binnen en had geen beschadigingen.
Staat hier nu een paar weken op kantoor en doet het uitstekend. Duidelijke verzorging, geen gedoe. Prijs-kwaliteit klopt en de levering was snel. Ik zou hier zeker opnieuw bestellen.
Prachtige Kentia palm echt een goed website om planten te kopen!
Prachtige palm. Volle bladeren. 15cm hoger dan aangegeven (altijd goed). Geen dode punten, mooi groen. Werd geleverd in een op maat gemaakte kartonnendoos. Erg stevig - blij mee!
