This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Afloral. All writing and opinions are completely my own.
Had you told me a couple of years ago that I would happily display faux flowers in my home – and encourage others to do the same – I would’ve laughed and laughed and laughed.
Okay, that statement may have been a little dramatic, I admit.
But honestly I used to be as anti-faux as they come. Chalk it up to my enneagram or OCD or what-have-you, but I take issue with objects (and people!) pretending to be something they’re not.
Sounds like a topic to discuss with a therapist, ha! Not to worry, though. I have since seen the light of day – at least when it comes to flowers.
Joking aside, fresh flowers are lovely but not realistic to have around at all times. As for live plants…don’t even get me started on how many perished because of my black thumb.
Today I’ve partnered with Afloral to share my favorite faux flowers and greenery, plus a couple tips on styling the most natural-looking artificial arrangements in your own home.
My Favorite Faux Flowers and Greenery
To enjoy floral arrangements without breaking the bank, choose larger flowers like peonies, dahlias and gardenias. You’ll only need a few for a luscious bouquet, so don’t be put off by the price per stem.
As for greenery, I prefer luscious shapes and lots of texture. The ever-popular eucalyptus, boxwood, ruscus and pittosporum are some of my favorites. All of these options work great as fillers but also looks beautiful on their own.
Fun fact: Did you know there are over 700 different eucalyptus species?
How to Style Faux Flowers and Greenery
- As with any styled vignette, use an odd number of stems to add visual interest to your arrangements. I’m sure there’s some science behind it, but using an odd number of stems makes an arrangement more appealing to the eye. If you want my two cents, it’s because a group of three items lacks symmetry, which draws your eyes in and forces them to move around the grouping, hence creating interest.
- Use flowers and greenery with parts that can easily be molded and manipulated, so you can bend the stems and fluff the blooms to your heart’s content. I see this mistake all the time: people buy flowers – real or otherwise – and without a second thought just plop them in a vase and call it a day. Please don’t do that!
- Arrange the stems at different heights for fullness and visual interest. You never want all of your flowers to have the same length, so don’t be afraid to cut some of the stems. The rule of thumb is the shortest stem’s flower head should be about half an inch above the vase rim. Add a few cascading stems like a weeping eucalyptus that lean outwards, away from the arrangement, for added fullness.
- To make your faux arrangement appear a little more authentic, use an opaque vase to conceal the stems, which are often different lengths and colors. If you do opt for a clear vase, fill it with water to add to the authenticity.
The following are some of my favorite arrangements around our own home. I hope you’re inspired to try your own hand at faux floral arrangements.
Thank you to Afloral for kindly sponsoring this post. All writing and opinions are always my own and never influenced by gifted products or any type of compensation.
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