The parlour palm is the most reliable palm for indoors .. Plants add exponentially to the indoors effect and personality, as has been said many times over, however as with anything, ideally should be placed/chosen tastefully and not in a hodge-podge or messy looking fashion. Unhealthy looking plants are particularly unattractive ..

I have two fiddle leaf figs and the leaves look like this when growing, once grown they are glossy green. I figured this was normal?!

Found this info here.. http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/fact-sheets/in-the-garden/indoor-and-potted-plant/fiddle-leaf-fig/#.WCRCpHTCaf0 The fiddle leaf fig grows best in a well lit position. Water sparingly. Lower leaves fall off when there is excess water in the soil. Fiddle leaf figs are slow growing but some do reach ceiling height in optimum conditions. As they grow the trunk becomes progressively thinner. Removing the growing tip encourages the plant to thicken and provide more support for the giant leaves.

I love the colours you suggest and they would really make the corner pop. Make it personal. Be brave. Options; Wall mounted boxes or floating shelves to display some colourful treasures above toddler height. Pinterest search 'Wall display Boxes" The next 2 sound a bit hippie but you can do them with your toddler and if they get pulled down noone gets hurt. - Fabric collage on a sore bought canvas with pieces of velvet, satin, silk in your favourite colours. Finding some vintage fabrics or op shop clothes to cut up is a cheap activity and add you can even add some bling or go with a geometric art deco style.Again Pinterest has great images. - Patchwork quilt style wall hanging eg.https://www.instagram.com/jenkingwell/?hl=en