Faux Flowers: Beautiful Artificial Blooms for the Home
Photo credit: Abigail Ahern
Displaying flowers, whether fresh, dried or faux, has become more popular than ever, helped along by the vast array of modern rustic vases and vessels that have become key decorative pieces in our homes. When fresh flowers in the garden are few and far between, but we still want our homes to be filled with blooms, it’s time to start looking at alternatives.
Faux flowers have come on in leaps and bounds. Modern versions are far more lifelike, with natural-looking petals and leaves in realistic subtle colours. In addition, they’re virtually maintenance-free and, if you invest in good-quality artificial blooms, you can display them year after year, so they soon become far more cost-effective than buying fresh.
And you don’t just have to buy individual stems. Pictured above is an artificial bouquet by Abigail Ahern - a beautifully wild display full of zest and lively colours, varied textures, foliage and sculptural flowers.
I can remember some of the first artificial flowers back in the eighties, when my mother, who had originally been Head of Floral Design at The Savoy, was asked by clients to create arrangements using what were commonly called silk flowers. Very few were actually made of silk, and the colours were far less subtle than those of their real counterparts.
Photo credit: West Elm
The first faux botanical I ever bought, an amaryllis, soon changed my opinion of artificial flowers. It was good quality and quite pricey, but looked convincingly real, so I displayed it in my home every winter. I now have faux blooms in almost every room, with extra flowers and foliage stored away that I bring out and update with the seasons.
Larger stems and flowering branches, such as blossom, berries or rosehip, like the ones pictured above from West Elm, look particularly striking in today’s modern oversized stoneware and ceramic vases. I also have several flowering branches that I display at certain times of the year, swapping my summer blooms for red berries as winter approaches.
In this article, I will be kicking off with interior designer Abigail Ahern, pictured below, and her award-winning botanical range. She will be sharing her tips on how to arrange faux flowers, along with her pick of the best botanicals to help you start your collection. I’ll also give you advice on where to display your artificial blooms, how to update them for the new season, how to care for them and, finally, where to buy them.
Photo credit: Abigail Ahern
Abigail’s collection recently secured her the title of "Best Artificial Flowers Overall" from The Independent, and she also has an ongoing collaboration with Crate & Barrel in the US. Her range has a beautifully relaxed, natural feel with blousy garden flowers, foraged wild foliage, naturalistic grasses, and sculptural seed pods for gorgeous botanical displays that are subtle in tone yet have true presence.
What makes Abigail’s Real-Touch artificial flowers particularly special is just how lifelike they look and feel, with many of the blooms capturing that ‘on the cusp of turning look’, which makes them even more convincing. I have several from the range on display in my own home and they look remarkably real.
Abigail’s top five faux botanicals
Hydrangea: Artificial hydrangeas continue to be one our best-selling blooms. Their abundance of realistic petals in tantalising hues like moss green, delicate blushes, creams and caramels are an effortless showstopper.
Peony: The florists favourite, real peonies tend to have a very short life span so investing in artificial peonies means you can appreciate their beauty for much longer.
Eucalyptus: Faux foliage like eucalyptus has all year round appeal, a rustic vase filled with tumbling foliage or adding a smattering to an artificial flower bouquet gives that pop of green that adds a softness, wherever you choose to use it.
Blossom: An extremely versatile flowering branch. Artificial Blossom can add a zing to your spring arrangements or wintery look to a festive gathering of pine faux foliage.
Thistles: Artificial thistle stems are perfect for adding height and structure to a rustic vase or a faux flower arrangement. They are tall stems which makes them the ideal choice for a floor standing vase, exuding a fusion of elegance and drama.
Abigail’s tips on how to arrange your faux botanicals
Photo credit: Abigail Ahern
Abigail’s advice is that the most beautiful faux flower bouquets have layers of different artificial flowers and foliage, creating a naturalistic, wild-gathered look. Here she explains how to arrange your faux botanicals:
"Gather together your favourite faux flower stems, wire cutters and some jute string, ribbon or whatever you choose to bind your arrangement with. Start with a clear space and lay your flowers and stems out in front of you. All of our artificial flower stems are wired so that you can choose to bend them or cut them. We often recommend bending them instead of cutting to enable you to re-use them in future artificial flower arrangements. To make arranging easier, lay your stems and faux flowers on the table in front of you rather than arranging them into your hand."
Photo credit: Abigail Ahern
Step one: Layer - Start by layering thicker faux foliage first; these create the foundations. Arrange on the table in a loose fan to form a base.
Step two: Add Structure - Start to add layers of smaller artificial flowers and filler foliage.
Step three: Add your Flowers - Finally start to layer in your hero blooms; for this arrangement we have used artificial hydrangeas and cosmos.
The right vase for your faux flowers
Photo credit: Cox & Cox
A vase can completely transform faux flowers and, with the right choice, the blooms will look even more realistic. A modern ceramic or stoneware vase, like the earthy ochre-glazed one pictured here from Cox & Cox, shows off flowers beautifully and helps them look more natural.
This style of vase, along with opaque glass, tends to work better than a traditional clear glass vase, especially if you want to bend the stems. With a clear glass vase, you would expect to see water, which can be a bit of a giveaway. In a stoneware pot, however, the flowers can look just like a fresh bouquet from the florist.
You can see more of Abigail’s vases, along with some of my other favourites, in my Modern Vases and Pots: The Trend Defining Organic Interiors.
Choosing the right flowers for your interior style and scheme
Photo credit: Graham and Green
When buying faux flowers, it’s worth spending a little more time carefully choosing the right varieties for your interior scheme, particularly as they can last for years. Think of them as another home decor accessory that can introduce colour, soften a space and pull a colour palette together. Here are the key elements to consider:
Colour - You can use faux flowers to introduce a new accent colour or pick up another accessory already in the room, such as a cushion, lamp, rug or painting. This works particularly well with stronger shades, like burgundy hydrangeas, pink peonies or deep red roses. If you prefer a softer, more natural look, opt for more foliage and stems of muted flowers in soft greens, creams and shades of white, which are easier to place in almost any room.
Style - First, think about whether you want an arrangement to feel formal or more relaxed, then consider the overall style of your interior. Certain blooms work well across many schemes, while others naturally suit a specific interior style. A loose bunch of daisies are ideal for a country-style home, while more sculptural botanicals such as proteas, seed pods or flowering branches fit nicely in a more contemporary home.
Scale, shape and height - An arrangement can draw attention through scale and shape as much as it can through colour. First, the size and shape of your arrangement needs to work with both the vase and where you place it. A large urn that stands on the floor can look striking with tall branches of blossom or berries, whereas a small vase on a side table is better suited to a small bunch of anemones, ranunculus or daisies. You can scale things up by using a large vase placed against a wall or mirror in a hallway or living room, while a fuller, gathered bunch works well on a larger surface, such as a dining table or kitchen island.
Vase and vessel - This is very much down to your interior style as, for example, stone and ceramic vases are ideal if you want a more relaxed, organic feel, while glass vases can feel more formal. The size of the vase will depend on the flowers you want to display. If you have a quirky vase, you might want to keep the flowers more subtle to allow the vase to shine. If you would like to see a whole bunch of unusual vases, check out my recent post Quirky and Unusual Vases for Your Home.
Where to display your flowers
Photo credit: Katie Fischer
The variety and size of flowers you choose will depend on where you wish to place them - whether that’s on a console table in the hall, in the centre of a dining table or beside your bed. I have my blossom branches in a black terracotta vase on my mantel, against an oversized mirror, where they create height and really make a statement. Blossom branches also look stunning in an organic vase, like the one here from Katie Fischer, displayed on a pedestal for added height and drama.
Kitchens: Place a bunch of flowers on the worktop, style a small arrangement on an open shelf, or opt for a generous, fuller display on a kitchen island.
Entryways and halls: There’s something lovely about being greeted by flowers as you enter your home. A console table against a wall is the ideal spot for all kinds of arrangements, from a cascading bunch of tulips to a taller, more structured display.
Dining and living rooms: There are plenty of surfaces in these two rooms to display flowers, such as dining tables and sideboards, as well as coffee tables, side tables and mantels. A small bunch works well on a side table, while a fuller arrangement suits a more spacious surface, such as a dining table. A large bunch of blossom requires more space or a wall or mirror behind to support the display physically and visually. During the summer, you can even place your blooms in an oversized vase on the floor in an unused fireplace.
Bedrooms: A smaller arrangement works best for most bedrooms, perhaps using just one variety on your nightstand/bedside table for a more restful look.
Bathrooms: Faux flowers are ideal for bathrooms, where humid conditions and lack of light can result in fresh flowers wilting quickly. Place a bud vase with a single bloom beside a basin or on a stool or shelf. If you have more room, a fuller arrangement can soften the hard lines of tiles and sanitaryware.
The benefits of fake flowers
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
From what you’ve read so far, faux flowers are a win-win. I took this photograph in my favourite flower shop in the Netherlands in September and was surprised at how many faux flowers were on show mixed in with real blooms. As you can see they make a great show. Listed below are the key benefits of faux blooms at a glance:
Last for years, not days - instead of wilting after a week, with good-quality faux blooms, you can appreciate them for many years, if looked after properly and kept away from direct sunlight.
Allergy-friendly - if you suffer from allergies, faux flowers are a great alternative to fresh flowers. As long as you keep them dust-free, there’s no pollen to make you sneeze!
Pet-friendly - You don’t have to worry about a wagging tail knocking over a vase with water in it, or your pet chewing at a potentially toxic petal.
Realistic - These days, it’s hard to tell the difference between good-quality artificial flowers and the real thing.
Cost-effective - Invest in good quality blooms once and they will save you a fortune on buying fresh flowers.
Wide choice available - Almost every type of flower has been recreated as an artificial version.
Ideal for darker rooms - Unlike real flowers, faux fblooms will flourish in a bathroom, corridor or basement where there is little or no natural light.
Faux foliage
Photo credit: The Faux Flower Company
Whether fresh or faux, I always like to weave a few stems of foliage into my flower display. Greenery helps an arrangement look more natural and can be really effective when used in abundance with just a few blooms. You can mix a couple of different types of foliage to have variation in leaf shape and colour.
Like faux flowers, modern artificial foliage looks far more realistic, with eucalyptus being one of my favourites. It has been used in the arrangement pictured here from The Faux Flower Company, mixed with other varieties for an impressive display. Another trick I use to make my arrangement look more convincing is to intersperse foliage with a few real flowers. I place a small water bottle for the real flowers, keeping the faux stems dry. Some artificial stems are plastic-coated and can cope with being placed in water. This trick also works the other way around with fresh foliage and faux flowers.
Here are some of the most realistic and versatile varieties of faux foliage:
Eucalyptus: Works with almost every type of flower
Olive: Similar in tone to eucalyptus, but with smaller, more pointed leaves
Ruscus: Plenty of small leaves, ideal for filling out an arrangement
Fern: Delicate and feathery leaves for a soft airy effect
Ivy: Ideal for trailing over the edge of the vase
Magnolia leaves: Large glossy leaves that add impact
Monstera: Bold and sculptural, works well to add height to larger arrangements
Palm leaves: One or two can add height and structure
Allergy and pet friendly
Photo credit: The Faux Flower Company
If fresh flowers make you sneeze, faux flowers are the perfect solution and can even be placed in the bedroom next to your bed without worrying about the pollen setting you off. You also don’t have to worry about pollen dropping and staining surfaces, wilting leaves or the odd creepy crawlies appearing from beneath the leaves. The display here by The Faux Flower Company mixes two green king proteas with several varieties of greenery, including willow eucalyptus, fern fronds and foxtail grass with seed pods for a stunning arrangement that, although subtle in colour, draws attention through shape and scale.
Faux blooms are also pet-friendly. Some fresh flowers and plants can be toxic if eaten. Lilies, for example, are particularly dangerous for cats, while foxgloves can be harmful to dogs. And, as an added bonus, if your four-legged friend happens to knock them over, there’s no worry about spillage.
Caring for your faux flowers
Photo credit: Sandra van Aalst
Faux flowers require very little maintenance, which is a huge part of their appeal. Here are just a few tips to keep them looking their best.
Keep them clean: This just involves dusting using a slightly damp cloth or even a hairdryer to blow away excess dust.
Display away from sunlight: Some artificial flowers, just like fabric, will fade if left in direct sunlight.
Store them carefully: If you update your flowers each season, you’ll want to store the others in bubble wrap away from sunlight, in a dry room.
Seasonal choices
Photo credit: Photo credit: The Faux Flower Company
As there are so many different varieties of faux botanicals, you can now have seasonal flowers all year round. Blossom looks out of place during the lead-up to Christmas, whereas amaryllis, hellebores and the Christmas rose work perfectly.
Spring: Daffodils, paperwhites, camellias, hyacinths, lilac, blossom, magnolia, tulips, peonies, ranunculus, sweet peas and anemones.
Summer: Hydrangeas, roses, cosmos, dahlias, poppies, foxgloves, lavender and proteas.
Winter: Hellebores, amaryllis, orchids, poinsettias, snowdrops, the Christmas rose and red berries.
Autumn: Dahlias, chrysanthemums, zinnias, asters, Japanese anemones and echinacea.
Where to Buy Faux Flowers
Photo credit: The Faux Flower Company
Now you have an idea of the stunning faux flowers available, here are several online stores where you can buy them.
Abigail Ahern
The Faux Flower Company
Dunelm
Crate & Barrel – Abigail Ahern Collection
Afloral
West Elm
Pottery Barn
Adairs
Temple & Webster
Koch & Co
LET’S SUM UP
I hope this article has convinced you that faux flowers look as beautiful as their fresh counterparts, and how they can elevate any room in your home. If you would also like to read about dried flowers, leaves and branches, as well as how to style, dry and preserve flowers, do read my two articles:
Dried Flowers - how to Style, Dry and Preserve flowers
Dried Grasses, Leaves and Branches: How to Style Your Home with these Natural Elements
I'm Sandra, an interior stylist, writer, photographer and Sunday Times bestselling author. Having worked freelance for magazines including Elle Decoration and House Beautiful, in my blog posts I share inspiring home tours, practical styling ideas and decorating tips to help you create a home that feels beautiful, personal and pulled together.
I also take you on tours of beautifully styled homes from around the world, offering inspiration and styling ideas to steal for your own space. Ultimately, I’ll show you how a little bit of styling can be transformational and take your home to a whole new level.
If you’d like to find out more about me click here
