Adding vases of flowers or flowering branches to your home can liven up any room in your house. Flowering blooms will add seasonal colour to your décor and will bring a little of the outdoors into your home.
Choosing the right vase will help to get the most out of your flower arrangements. Depending on the type and quantity of flowers you are using, arrangements will look their most beautiful in certain vases. Key factors to consider when flower arranging are: size, shape, style and material.
Size – creating a balance
The best flower vase size depends on the size of flowers or branches you plan on displaying. The general rule is that flowers or vase should be in ratio 1.5:1. For tall arrangements, flowers should be 1.5x the height of the container. Alternatively, for a low bouquet these proportions should be reversed – allow 1.5 of the height for vase and 1 for flowers above it.
Shape – choose the right type for your blooms to look their best
Different vase shapes offer different qualities and there are lots of different shapes of vases to choose from. As well as the height of the vase, look at the opening. Always choose a vase that has a wide enough opening for the size of your flowers, you want to give your blooms space to breathe. If the opening is too narrow, it could constrain the design of the bouquet, damage the stems and can cause the flowers to wilt much quicker. If the neck is too wide it might not provide enough support for the flowers and you could lose the shape of the bouquet.
Tall vases and column vases
Complement the elegance of long-stemmed flowers, such as lilies, gladioli and sunflowers by choosing a tall vase or column vase to display them in. They can be styled with branches, foliage and twigs as the cylindrical column shape helps them to keep their structure. Follow the 1.5:1 rule, making sure the flowers are 1.5x max 2x the height of the vase.
Hourglass vases
They come in different sizes and have an hourglass-like shape with a wider base and narrow neck which flares gently at the top. This shape is extremely versatile and supports arrangements beautifully. Hourglass vases look lovely filled with sweet peas, roses and tulips. This type of vase will also suit shorter-stemmed flowers with large, round heads such as hydrangeas and peonies and will really accentuate the voluptuous shape of your blooms.
Round vases
Round and fishbowl vases make for a classic arrangement. They are perfect for florals with large heads like hydrangeas, peonies and roses. Round vases can also be a great option for centerpieces for your table since they won’t obstruct view across the table. Particularly suited for a tightly-constructed posy of tulips, gerberas or roses. Follow the rule 1:1.5 of flower height versus vase, cut the stems to the height of the vase and then arrange the flower heads to create a gorgeous domed effect.
Style – complement your interior
Consider your interior style when choosing the right vase that will complement your home but don’t be afraid to mix things up and choose something that will add contrast and visual interest. Glass vases are popular for creating a modern look. The sculptural shape and texture of matt ceramics will create and instant contemporary look. And if you are looking for traditional, timeless classics nothing will surpass the exquisite elegance of blue and white porcelain vases.
Material
Vases are available in a variety of materials, such as ceramics, stoneware or glass.If you are looking for a vase for fresh flowers choose watertight (ie, glazed) ceramics or glass. Matte or unglazed pottery, as well as stoneware, may not be watertight and could pull water out of the vase. They are however perfect for displaying dried, or artificial flowers and foliage as well as used as decor objects on their own right.
If using artificial flowers, ceramics and stoneware will be a better choice to disguise the stems which are often thicker than would be found naturally.
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