Terrain Review: Bringing Nature‘s Beauty Into Your Home
As someone who loves finding unique decor to personalize my space, I‘m always on the lookout for brands that offer something special. And when it comes to stylish home and garden goods with a natural aesthetic, Terrain is in a league of its own. This retailer has made a name for itself by curating a stunning collection of plants, planters, furniture and decor that bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.
Whether you‘re an avid gardener, a plant parent, or simply appreciate well-crafted pieces, Terrain has something that will catch your eye. I recently took a deep dive into exploring the brand, from browsing their website to reading up on customer reviews. In this comprehensive Terrain review, I‘ll share everything you need to know to decide if their products are right for you.
What is Terrain?
First, let‘s start with the basics. Terrain is a home and garden brand with a focus on natural, earthy elements. It was founded in 2008 as an offshoot of Anthropologie, the popular bohemian-inspired clothing and decor retailer. While both brands are owned by parent company URBN, Terrain has its own distinct look and feel.
The brand‘s tagline is "Inspired by nature, created with intention" and that ethos is apparent in every product they offer. From lush live plants and artfully crafted faux botanicals to rustic furniture and nature-themed decor, Terrain‘s collection evokes a sense of organic beauty. Materials like reclaimed wood, hand-blown glass, and natural fibers feature prominently.
Terrain‘s target audience seems to be women in their 30s-50s who appreciate a natural aesthetic and enjoy gardening and decorating as hobbies. However, I think their assortment appeals to anyone who wants to create an inviting, serene environment at home by bringing the outdoors in.
In addition to their online shop, Terrain has several brick-and-mortar store locations. The flagship is a sprawling garden center in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania on the site of a historic plant nursery. With landscaped grounds, a farm-to-table cafe, and loads of seasonal plants and decor, it‘s a destination that Terrain fans love to visit. There are also smaller shops located in Anthropologie stores in California and Connecticut.
The Terrain Online Shopping Experience
For most customers, though, the primary way to shop Terrain is online at shopterrain.com. The website reflects the brand‘s natural aesthetic with a soothing color palette, lovely lifestyle photography, and an emphasis on the beauty of plants and natural elements.
When you first arrive on the site, you‘re greeted with high-quality images showcasing their latest arrivals and featured product categories. The main navigation menu breaks down their offerings into intuitive sections like Plants, Outdoor & Garden, Home & Furniture, Decor, Weddings, and Sale. I appreciate how easy it is to browse and locate specific types of products.
Terrain offers free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more, which is a nice perk. They also occasionally run free shipping promotions with no minimum purchase. If your order total is less than $50, standard shipping starts at $8. Expedited and overnight options are also available for an additional charge.
While their regular prices are on the higher end, Terrain frequently has sales where you can snag some stunning pieces at a discount. At the time of this review, they were offering an extra 30% off already-reduced sale items with the code SOS30. It‘s always worth checking the Sale section to see what kind of deals are available before you buy.
Terrain Product Reviews
Now that we‘ve covered the basics, let‘s dive into the actual products. I‘ll share my thoughts on some of Terrain‘s most popular items across several key categories.
Planters
Terrain‘s planter selection is truly unparalleled, with options ranging from tiny 5" pots to massive 30"+ statement pieces. Materials run the gamut from earthy terracotta and ceramic to rugged cast stone and metal.
One of their bestsellers is the small Ceramic Pumpkin Planter, which comes in a soft moss green, bronze, or gray glaze. At just 5" in diameter, it‘s the perfect size for a succulent or air plant. I love the organic, hand-thrown shape and the rustic feel of the raw clay bottom. It would look great as part of a fall tablescape or year-round in a boho-style room.
For a larger option, check out the Textured Botanicals Ceramic Planter. The 15" size is ideal for a big trailing plant like pothos or philodendron. What really makes this planter special is the 3D botanical texture embossed into the surface – it looks like actual leaves! Choose from an ivory or dark gray finish to complement your greenery.
Across the board, I was impressed with the quality and beauty of Terrain‘s planters. They‘re substantial, well-crafted pieces that look much more expensive than they actually are. If you want to level up a basic plant, housing it in one of these design-forward vessels will make all the difference.
Plants
What good are beautiful planters without some plants to go in them? Terrain offers an array of live and faux greenery to suit different preferences and green thumb levels.
In the live plant department, one unique option is the Navaho Blackberry Shrub. This easy-to-grow fruiting shrub produces sweet berries that are delicious for snacking or baking. Unlike other bramble fruits, though, it‘s completely thornless, so it‘s safe to have around kids and pets. You can grow it in a container outdoors or even plant it directly in your garden if you‘re in USDA hardiness zones 6-10.
I also love Terrain‘s dried and preserved botanicals for a low-maintenance way to incorporate natural elements. Check out the stunning Floral, Iron, Glass & Velvet Collector‘s Wreath, which looks like an antique piece of art with hand-painted petals on a wire frame.
Many of Terrain‘s faux plants are customer favorites as well. Their Faux Bright Pink Blossom Spray looks so realistic and adds a gorgeous pop of color. Place a few stems in a vintage vase for a romantic, French country-inspired look.
The Benefits of Plants & Natural Decor
With so many beautiful options, it‘s easy to see the aesthetic appeal of filling your space with plants and nature-inspired pieces. But did you know there are actual psychological benefits too?
A growing body of research suggests that exposure to natural environments, both outdoors and inside our homes, is important for mental well-being. For example, a 2019 study found that interacting with indoor plants can reduce stress and anxiety. Another paper from 2020 concluded that, especially during quarantine, simple interventions like adding greenery and maximizing natural light made people feel happier and more comfortable in their homes.
Scientists theorize that plants boost our mood through multiple mechanisms. The soothing green color is known to have a calming effect, while caring for plants can be a mindful, grounding activity. There‘s also just something about being surrounded by nature that feels good on an instinctive level, even when it‘s not the real thing.
Of course, you don‘t have to turn your house into a jungle to reap the rewards. Even a few carefully placed plants or botanical-themed pieces from Terrain can help create a more peaceful, mentally restorative environment.
Sustainability & Materials
Another reason to feel good about shopping at Terrain? The company prioritizes sustainability and takes pride in its environmentally responsible practices.
Many of the materials used in Terrain products are natural, recycled, or biodegradable. They carry a lot of organic cotton textiles, planet-based dyes, and reclaimed wood furniture. The brand has also taken steps to reduce waste by eliminating single-use plastics from product packaging.
As a consumer, supporting businesses that are making an effort to be more eco-friendly is one small way we can make a difference. Terrain isn‘t 100% sustainable, but I appreciate that they‘re transparent about their processes and continuously working to minimize their footprint.
What Do Customers Think?
Terrain generally enjoys positive customer feedback, with many reviewers gushing about the distinctive style and premium quality of their products. On the brand‘s Facebook page, their Glen Mills flagship store boasts an impressive 4.7 out of 5 star rating from over 340 reviews.
Shoppers frequently praise the beauty of the plants, the unique product selection, and the helpful customer service. "Terrain is my happy place – I feel instantly calm and inspired when I walk in," wrote one reviewer. "The employees are so knowledgeable and always willing to answer questions or make suggestions."
When it comes to the online shopping experience, reviews are a bit more mixed. Some customers have reported issues with orders arriving damaged or receiving the wrong items. However, Terrain seems to be fairly responsive when problems arise. "I was missing a piece of my order, but customer service took care of it right away and sent a replacement quickly," a shopper shared.
Overall, the impression I get is that while Terrain may have some room for improvement from an e-commerce operations standpoint, the quality and appeal of their actual products is top notch. The majority of customers seem to feel that the beauty and craftsmanship of the items is worth the occasional shipping hiccup.
Is Terrain Worth It?
So, is Terrain worth the hype and the relatively high price point? In my opinion, it depends on your personal home decor style and budget.
If you love the natural, rustic aesthetic and appreciate artisan-made pieces, Terrain is a great resource. Their products are tasteful, well-designed, and can go a long way in elevating the look of your space. I also think their live and faux plant selection is unrivaled in terms of variety and quality.
That said, Terrain is certainly more of a splurge than a budget option. If you‘re not totally sold on the botanical look or are outfitting an entire house on a tight budget, you might want to start with just a few key pieces rather than going all-in.
My recommendation? Browse the Terrain website and their stunning Instagram feed to get a sense of the vibe and see what catches your eye. Make a wishlist and keep an eye out for sales to snap up your favorite items at a discount. Even one or two special pieces can make a big impact in bringing some natural beauty to your home.
And if you have room in your budget, I definitely think the premium prices can be justified for those statement pieces you‘ll cherish for years to come. A hand-thrown ceramic planter or preserved wreath is more than just home decor – it‘s a functional work of art inspired by the timeless beauty of nature.
