Do you want some quick and easy tips on how to decorate with flowers? Today we’re sharing our seven simple tips!
Today I thought I would share some tips on how to decorate with flowers. Flowers are something that I’m absolutely crazy about (I know, a shocker, right?!) I share them quite often on Instagram, and get lots of questions about where I buy mine, etc., so I thought I’d put together a post all about them!
These are my seven best tips on how to decorate with flowers. I am by no means an expert, but these are the things that I do that work for me!
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1. Keep it Simple
This is personal preference, of course, but I love casual bouquets of flowers, especially at home. I don’t do fancy arrangements, not only because they just aren’t my style, but also because they’re more expensive to put together.
I’m sure it’s no surprise that I prefer simple, as that is true in my home decor as well. For me, there is just nothing quite as stunning as a big bunch of one type of flower in a gorgeous vase or vessel. And the bonus is, they are easier and less expensive that way!
2. Use Interesting Vessels
Think outside the box when it comes to a vessel for your flowers – you don’t have to use a vase! In fact, I would say that more often than not, I don’t even use a vase. I tend to prefer pitchers so I use those quite often. But I’ve also used vintage trophies, dough bowls, and antique urns. Truly, the sky’s the limit!
Try using an old bucket, several small old creamers or glasses, or a vintage silver bowl. As long as it can hold water (or you can fit something inside of it that can hold water), it can work! And using something more interesting than a basic vase really elevates it and makes it more special.
3. Use Grocery Store Flowers
I think the question I get the most on Instagram is “where did you buy your flowers?” And people are always shocked to hear me say Trader Joe’s or the supermarket! I almost never go to the flower mart unless I’m doing a big seasonal tour, or I can’t find peonies or something special that I need.
Otherwise, I stalk my local Trader Joe’s which is a great source for reasonably priced fresh flowers. And if they don’t have it, then my local Ralph’s or Whole Foods usually does. Trader Joe’s even sells tons of different greenery such as eucalyptus, so it’s a one-stop shop for me! It’s amazing the selection the grocery stores have today – you definitely don’t need to go to a florist or a flower mart to get a good selection.
4. Shop Seasonally
Another way to save money is to shop the flowers that are in season! I love peonies, in fact, they are my favorite flower on earth. But I only buy them in the spring when they are in season. That way, they are fairly reasonable.
I have seen them during the winter months, but they are always a lot more. Plus, if you buy out of season it’s much more sustainable.
So if it’s a special occasion you may want to splurge on something out of season, but otherwise, go with what is plentiful and affordable.
5. Don’t Be Ashamed to Use Some Faux
I admit that for a long time I was a “fresh flowers only” purist. But let’s be honest, it’s not always possible or practical to get fresh flowers every week. So what’s a flower-loving girl to do? That’s the time to use quality faux!
Faux flowers have come a long way since I was a girl and my mom had an arrangement that looked plastic and collected dust on the dining room table! I only recently bought my first faux flowers. And though they still aren’t my first choice, they really come in handy at times. And even better, they can fill gaps when combined with your real flowers!
That’s right – I’ve mixed faux with real in the same vase and no one’s been the wiser! However, if I’m using faux flowers, I don’t use faux greenery in the same vessel. I think the fresh greenery really adds much-needed texture and it keeps the whole arrangement looking more real that way.
These tulips are faux!! Can you believe it?! They are the most real looking faux flower I’ve ever seen! A little tip for you – bend them and spread them apart so they are more like fresh flowers. Since real tulips fall over, take them and bend them to make them more like fresh.
And if you use any faux in a clear vase, make sure you put water in it! Again, this helps to make the feel much more believable.
These are also faux! In fact, these were the first faux I ever bought last fall. But I really think the key to faux flowers is making sure you’re using live greens. The fresh greens make the whole arrangement register as “real.”
And vice versa, if you use faux greenery like eucalyptus, use it with live flowers.
And here on the mantel, I used a mixture of faux flowers (the gold ones) mixed with live hydrangeas (the green) and fresh eucalyptus. You’d never know!
6. Mix Different Flowers of the Same Color
Rather than creating a more elaborate arrangement, I love the idea of mixing flowers but keeping them all in the same color. I often mix different white flowers in several different vases or pitchers to create a pretty grouping. This is especially easy to do if you go to a farmer’s market where everything is sold individually, but it can be done with grocery store flowers pretty easily, too.
Since I always gravitate to a simpler look, this is a way of adding texture and interest to the mix, but still keeping it uncomplicated.
I hope these six tips on how to decorate with flowers have inspired you to bring more fresh flowers into your home! They are truly one of the best things in life and I can’t imagine my house without them.
I’d love to hear if you have any tips that work for you as well!
Shop the Post
Sheila
xo
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out more decorating ideas and inspiration below:
5 Simple Tips for Decorating with Flowers – on a Budget!
How to Style a Coffee Table – 5 Essential Tips
How to Make the Perfect Bed in 7 steps
Elaine Rakoczy says
Hi, Lovely post! A big trend is decorating with dried flowers. Not only are they beautiful for any room in our homes, they are eco-friendly and sustainable since they are known as “eternal”.
Joan says
I absolutely love your table and chairs in your breakfast room. Would you be so kind as to share their origin? Thanks!
Sheila says
Of course! You can read all about the table and chairs in this post: https://maisondecinq.com/new-antique-farmhouse-table/
And you can find them linked/sourced here: https://maisondecinq.com/shop-my-home/kitchen/
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Ruth says
I’m so glad I found your blog on Pinterest! Thanks for such good info –
I’ve pinned and saved it for later!
Sherry says
I love flowers. Fresh are the best. But when I get an especially big beautiful bouquet I have to dry them. My daughters in law Jenny has sent me incredibly exquisite bouquets for my birthday. I had to dry those that could stand drying. I use them on cards that I make.
Sheila says
I love that idea! I used to have a huge hydrangea bush in the front and I always dried the flowers in the fall. They’re so beautiful!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sheila
Jen Shaw says
I have been a fresh flower junkie for years! Every week or every other week I’m at Trader Joe’s getting my fix. Even after I was divorced and money was tight ..sadly still is , I always have money for fresh cut flowers. A vase what’s that? I have all sorts of vessels for my flowers and like you my insta page is filled of my floral arrangements! Great tips for keeping hydrangeas last longer, those are my fav☺️ Love your posts and tips!
Sheila says
yay! love that so much Jen! I’m happy to hear that you make them a priority since I truly believe the psychological benefit is more than worth it!! And thank you for your kind words – so appreciate it!
Thanks for stopping by!
Amber Ferguson says
Beautiful inspo and great tips!
Sheila says
Thanks so much Amber!!
Sheila
xo
Shirley @Housepitality Designs says
Beautiful floral creations Sheila…you know how much I love a floral arrangement! We are experiencing lots of rain here too….but it is a very cold rain! Have a wonderful day!
Sheila says
Yes, here too! We’ve had weeks of not being above the 40s and 50s in the day and that is very cold for CA!!
Thanks for stopping by Shirley, and for always being so sweet – I so appreciate it!
Sheila
xo
Teresa says
All great tips and I love the idea of including flowers in my weekly budget. I think I’ll buy some flowers at the grocery store and give up that bag of chips or package of cookies. Win win!
Sheila says
Yes!! That’s exactly what I’m talking about! The flowers will make your soul happy, and less calories too so definitely a win-win! Enjoy them 😉
sheila
Kim says
Such inspiration in this blog. Thank you for all the tips. I love fresh flowers in my home. But the faux tulips will be my next purchase!
Sheila says
Oh I’m so glad to hear that Kim! Thank you so much – and thanks for stopping by! (and the tulips are fabulous, by the way!!)
Sheila
Pat says
Shelia,
This floral arrangements are gorgeous!
I use faux flora due to my many allergies!
Love your tip with the faux tulips!
In my years as Design Assistant, I always ‘fluffed’ the faux flowers.
When our customers would ‘ooh and aah’, I knew I’d done my job!
I left a couple of planters on the shelf at Target yesterday,
but after seeing this post, I’m going back in the morning for a purchase.
Filled to the brim with inspiration. . .Thank You!
Pat
Sheila says
Thank you so much for this comment Pat – I am grinning ear to ear!! You truly made my day with your warm words – and I love that you “fluffed” the faux flowers too;)
So glad you found inspiration here!
Sheila
Ruth says
Love this post… So full of inspiration
Flowers and candles are a must have in our home…. they make a room so friendly and inviting….those are two good words to describe your home.
Sheila says
Aww what a lovely comment! Thank you so much Ruth!!
Sheila