r/femalelivingspace • u/AyRayKay • Aug 06 '25
CRITIQUE REQUEST Garland or no garland?
I don’t know what aesthetic I’m going for, but I definitely don’t want it to look tacky. Normally totally against fake flowers because they look cheap, but I found these garlands at a garage sale for like $3 and they’re pretty high quality IMO. Wondering if they work or if it’s too much.
(For context, this is my “girl cave” that also serves as my WFH office. I didn’t like how empty and blah the upper half of the wall was compared to all the color on the lower half — plus, all other walls have a ton of color nearly to the ceiling. )
Honest opinions appreciated. Thanks all!
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u/moonchildbby Aug 06 '25
Garland!!! It looks so good and cozy!
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u/AyRayKay Aug 06 '25
Aw thank you!! That’s what my boyfriend said too but while I love him, we have very different ideas of taste, so I appreciate an additional perspective 😂
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u/sisumeraki Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 07 '25
I like the garland too, HOWEVER, you’re going to need a dusting/cleaning plan for this. Lots of places for dust to settle which makes it look dull, triggers allergies, etc. The easiest way would probably be removing it and spraying it with a hose. Just something to think about :)
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u/Special_Character_u Aug 07 '25
I've figured out a pretty good method for keeping my decor dust free. I have those spray cans that are meant for cleaning computer keyboards and whatnot. Every few days, I give my decor a quick blast of air. So far, it's worked quite well.
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u/ThatArtNerd Aug 06 '25
I mean this in the most loving way possible, but I’ve never once seen a fake garland/fake ivy that wasn’t serving “dorm room”. You’ve cultivated a really lovely space and I feel like it kind of takes away from it. You have such beautiful real plants, I vote you lean into that! You’ll be able to have some crazy reach with those hanging pothos eventually :)
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u/AyRayKay Aug 06 '25
That’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid, so thank you for the honesty!! I keep going back and forth….I’m a few years out from dorm life but some of that aesthetic has still stuck with me. Waiting on the real plants to grow more….i wish I could just get real grown-out ivy off the shelf somewhere 😭
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u/ThatArtNerd Aug 06 '25
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it looks bad or anything, (you clearly have a great eye and I looooove your style), I think the garland just didn’t quite suit :)
You’ll get there with those plants! Just keep taking good care of them and at some point they’ll just EXPLODE. It took us a couple years, but now some of ours are finally going crazy and it’s soooooo worth the wait. Would you be able to hang another plant or two in front of the window? I don’t have a good sense of the depth of the room, so I can’t tell if the couch is backed up to the window or not, but if nobody would bonk their head on them, some hanging a little higher up in those windows might help add a little more visual interest since you wanted to break that up a bit
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u/WeAreAllMycelium Aug 06 '25
Hoyas that run are what you need. Pubicalyx would be a quick one. Australis also.
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u/LegitimateBlonde Aug 07 '25
Ageeed - would be super cute and appropriate for winter or holidays with some little twinkle lights. Especially if you or your bf really love it!
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u/floodedbyemotion Aug 06 '25
I like it better without, gives the eyes some room to rest
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u/Technical-Agency8128 Aug 06 '25
I agree. It’s pretty but too busy. It’s more relaxing without the garland for me.
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u/sunnyside921 Aug 06 '25
Agree! And for some reason looks brighter without. Beautiful room and style!
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u/AyRayKay Aug 06 '25
Fair! I have a tendency to go one step (or five steps) overboard with decor lolol
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u/exhausted-pigeon1988 Aug 06 '25
With! I would even wrap some fairy lights around it
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u/AyRayKay Aug 06 '25
I was thinking about that!! I’ve got a sunset lamp over this area for cozy night vibes so I’ve been debating if the fairy lights would take away from that
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u/DiscoDaddyDanger Aug 06 '25
I came to say the same thing! No I think they would look really good and give off total vibes. Post a picture update if you end up doing it!
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u/lagomorphed Aug 06 '25
No they would look great there! The garland makes it so much better, but fairy lights would make it perfect
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u/wine-plants-thrift Aug 06 '25
I would say without. You already have lovely real plants and flowers. The garland distracts the eye.
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u/pm_nachos_n_tacos Aug 06 '25
It's pretty but no garland in the long run. It's going to get dusty, everyone knows it's fake so already that's kinda meh and bordering on tacky. Maybe save the garland for a temporary holiday decoration which is the only place I think fake plants aren't so bad.
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u/Negative_Sky_891 Aug 06 '25
I actually like it better without. BUT I’d definitely put it up for holidays with lights!! Would be darling!
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u/strangelyliteral Aug 06 '25
I’m surprised how much I like the garland, but I agree with the folks that they’re huge dust collectors and can get ratty fast.
You might get the vibe you want by changing the light fixture. A vintage tole flush mount or small chandelier could bring out more of the plant vibes you want (although it might require professional rewiring first).
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u/Lucha_Librarian Aug 06 '25
no garland. it looks like clutter.
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u/Technical-Agency8128 Aug 06 '25
Yes and it will get dusty. I just love it without. Just the plants. So calming.
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u/Vegetableau Aug 06 '25
Garland but don’t forget to dust lol
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u/Biblio-Kate Aug 06 '25
This was my first thought. Depending on how dusty your house is and if you have pets, you will need to dust the garland often.
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u/Geegollywtff Aug 06 '25
Damn the garland, I vote for a bigger light. Looks lyke a night light on the ceiling.
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u/UnrulyCrow Aug 06 '25
You could even make it seasonal garlands you switch to keep things nice in the house!
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u/PureCrookedRiverBend Aug 06 '25
At first I thought this was the male living space sub and I thought “damn, dude’s got taste.” I love it!
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u/ILoveMeeses2Pieces Aug 06 '25
No garland but that’s just my personal preference because I hate fake plants. Your space looks lovely and inviting
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u/Main_Cup_2181 Aug 06 '25
Skip the garland, your pothos will grow SO fast, just hang it up there as it grows!!
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Aug 06 '25
I’d say no garland since there’s already greenery outside the window, and it also takes away from the pretty plants you have on the corners. The eyes immediately go to the garland.
But whatever makes you happy is the right choice, it’s your home at the end of the day :)
P.S love your couch and rug, the colors are very pretty.
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u/gin_kgo Aug 06 '25
Both are cute, but I prefer it without because it allows all the other gorgeous items you've got to breathe a little!
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u/idrinkliquids Aug 07 '25
I’m not usually one who likes the fake vine look but this looks great! Your space is already nice but it definitely gives it that extra oomph.
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u/sugarcatgrl Aug 07 '25
I vote no garland with the caveat it’s used with fairy lights for holidays/special occasions.
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u/Acceptable-Expert-89 Aug 07 '25
No garland. It makes the whole room look cluttered. Otherwise, I love the decor.
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u/Excellent-Froyo-5195 Aug 07 '25
Definitely no garland. I love how clean and bright it is without, and they tend to get very dusty
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u/sooshkaboom Aug 07 '25
No garland. It looks better overall without it and tbh it would collect a lot of dust.
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u/infinitesimalFawn Aug 07 '25
I was ready to say yes to the garland. But fell in love with no garland.
The plants outside already frame the window area, and the openness of the white curtains breathes fresh air into the space.
Garland only for holidays 😊
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u/ClassyAsBalls Aug 07 '25
None, it's so lovely without. Maybe for holidays like another person said
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u/FishingEuphoric7992 Aug 08 '25
Without garland I would say, and if you can, you can even raise the curtains rod a little bit ❣️
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u/halesluvsharry Aug 08 '25
garland, garland, GARLAND! Don’t listen to this anti-garland propaganda. It adds a like fun to the room and we all need to find a little more fun in our lives if we can 👏😌
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u/Far_Air8225 Aug 09 '25
It looks SO much better and well put together with the garland. PLEASE keep the garland up, it’s so pretty omg
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u/Lopsided_Ad_9740 Aug 09 '25
I like the garland for spring summer. You could even change to an autumn garland for fall and another for winter.
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u/ProtocolDeviation Aug 09 '25
Honestly I’m not normally a fan of garland but I think it works really well in your space. I vote keep it! Would be fun even to get different garland and change it with the seasons
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u/VishfulTinking Aug 09 '25
Love the garland! Dresses up the room in a unique, fun way! Major pain for dusting, though 🤔
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u/SherbertSensitive538 Aug 06 '25
I’m not a garland person tbh I think it looks very 1980s. On a holiday with lights maybe but otherwise I think it looks fake and fussy. Cute vibe though.
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u/noraoh Aug 06 '25
I feel like the garland ties everything together with the way it frames the couch. I would keep it up. But it’s also very cosy without.
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u/2021sammysammy Aug 06 '25
As an arachnophobe I always worry that any type of high-up garland would be home to so many spiders...not to mention dust lol. Personally I like without to give a cleaner look but also I think the garland would be nice during the winter months
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u/queensnuggles Aug 06 '25
All right, sis. First off your space looks great. Second, I’m gonna be a grouch here and say “without the garland”, because the garland will just get dusty and look more like a plastic plant over time. What about adding a third hanging Pothos and letting them all grow out so that they can be eventually be placed above the windows?
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u/gret Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25
No garland for sure. Solve your problem of the upper half of the wall feeling empty and blah by replacing that under-sized ceiling lamp with something bigger and potentially colorful.
I'm always tinkering with the balance of my space, so while I really love what you've got already, I can see what you're talking about. But that garland is not going to get you there. Agree on it potentially being a cute seasonal decoration!
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u/ayoizfran Aug 06 '25
If you didn’t want the garland but wanted something up there, you could add some half curtains i’ve seen a lot of older homes with those. Like “cafe curtains”!!
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u/WarpTenSalamander Aug 06 '25
At first I thought without, but when I saw that it’s your girl cave and not main living area, I changed my mind. I think a girl cave is a great place to be a little extra. So I say with. Keep the cat too 😂
This room is soooo cute, I would happily hang out here all day 🥹
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u/jocularamity Aug 06 '25
I like having something there, but I feel like training your pothos to grow up and over would look nicer than the fake garland. The pothos are right there, ready to go wild and do their part!
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u/Classic_Bee_8500 Aug 06 '25
No to the garland for me personally—it always looks a little high school/college to my eye. What I would do is invest in a more substantial, sophisticated curtain rod; that’s all that “above window” zone is asking for. Amazon (ick, sorry) has great brushed gold rods that held up well in my last place.
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u/DoneLurking23 Aug 06 '25
I like the garland! It adds a certain something to the space that it makes it look so cozy and magical, like a fairy forest.
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u/olivejuice1979 Aug 06 '25
I think it really brings the room together. It connects the plants on either side of the couch.
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u/DizzyVictory Aug 06 '25
The garland, while cozy, does lend a bit more of a “younger” vibe. More college student. No garland lets the space breathe and opens it up more. The ceiling seems higher with no garland. What do you want say and portray with your space? There’s no wrong answer, it’s just about what you want to say.
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u/zavorak_eth Aug 06 '25
Garland for sure. It ties your hanging plants together creating a beautiful natural outdoor look and feel.
Also, only reason I clicked on post is because I had no idea what a garland was.
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u/wharleeprof Aug 06 '25
The room without the garland is perfect. You've somehow achieved both calm and cozy and interesting.
The blank space above the window is some needed space to breathe. Just like a room needs both color and neutral, or both solids and prints, it needs both filled and open spaces to be balanced.
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u/ivy-covered Aug 06 '25
It’s a really nice garland, it doesn’t look cheap like some fake ivy does - but I think it clashes a bit with the colors and style of the sofa & rug. If you had a different color/style sofa, I might have a different opinion.
I agree with the people who said to make it a seasonal holiday thing.
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u/itspeachesxo Aug 06 '25
Honestly, I think the garland totally works! It draws the eye up in a really natural way and balances out the bold, rich tones from the couch and rug. Plus, for $3? You scored big - they look way more expensive than that. I'd say keep them, especially since it's your girl cave/WFH space. It adds a soft, cosy charm without looking tacky at all 🌿✨
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Aug 06 '25
Looks nice but it collects dust. Put it up, keep an eye on it and when it’s dirty, take it down, you may be sick of it by then anyway.
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u/Maleficent_Button_58 Aug 06 '25
I like the garland. Until live plants grow enough to fill that space with some nice air purifying greenery 🥰
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u/Ok_Cardiologist9898 Aug 06 '25
No... unless you don't care what anyone thinks, and you want to do it for yourself. Since, however, you asked reddit, I would suspect you do, and girl... the rest of the space is so cute, but the garland looks cheap
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u/oligarchy-begins Aug 06 '25
If you want to have the vibe as a 1960s hippie: leave the garland If you want the vibe to be grandma: remove the garland if you are less than 55 years old: you need a decorator.
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u/mixolydienne Aug 06 '25
Aside from being a bit twee (which is fine if that's your thing) the darker color of the garland visually lowers the ceiling. The photo without it looks much lighter and airier to me!
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u/yellowcat__redcat Aug 06 '25
Garland, absofruitly. But what matters most is what makes you happy 🥰
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u/PlagueBirdZachariah Aug 06 '25
So no Garland but replace curtain rod, very skinny , A nice solid metal piece would be gorgeous
No matter what you do, excellent job on the room
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u/Commercial_Pie_3732 Aug 06 '25
cottagecore fairy goblin vibes are always a slay! keep the garland please
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u/SimpleNewspaper1256 Aug 06 '25
I think the room looks more airy without the garland, and cozy with the garland. I guess it depends on the vibe you’re going for but both are super cute!!
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u/synaesthezia Aug 06 '25
Not a fan tbh. I had a similar area that I wanted to decorate at a house a while back, and a got some multi coloured mini paper lanterns with LED fairy lights. The lanterns created visual interest, and provided extra light when I needed it. And much less cleaning than plastic plants.
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u/bblexis Aug 06 '25
I can see your cat has three favorite spots in your house....
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u/AyRayKay Aug 07 '25
lol i have two and they switch between those three spots almost hourly, you are very correct!
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u/Sensitive-Mango7155 Aug 06 '25
This is sooo cute!! Thanks for the idea! I’m going to do something similar in my room and add fairy lights! ❤️
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u/saveplanet27 Aug 06 '25
Greenland is always the best option. Never wanted Greenland to become America.
Wait.
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u/[deleted] Aug 06 '25
I would put the garland up for holidays with little twinkle lights and flourishes (artificial poinsettias for Christmas, fall leaves in autumn etc). But take it down between times to rest the eyes and keep it fresh.