Having fresh flowers at home is such a treat. Whether they come from a floral shop, the corner store, or your own backyard, arranging flowers properly can prolong their life and make your display extra stunning. When it comes to vases, one size does not fit all. Selecting the appropriate vessel to create a beautiful flower arrangement is a little bit of an art and a little bit of a science. Curating a collection of vases in a variety of shapes + sizes allow you the flexibility to create a stunning display no matter what type of flowers you have on hand.
Let’s start by learning the basic anatomy of a vase. Vase shapes vary, but these are the most important parts to know.
If you are at the beginning of your floral arranging journey, there are some basic tips + tricks to consider when choosing the right vase for your floral arrangement:
If you are unsure what vase shape will best complement your selection of flowers, use this foolproof rule: match the silhouette of the florals to the silhouette of the vase. Let the overall natural shape of your flower arrangement inspire you in identify the best matching vase shape. To do this, consider the vase’s height, mouth, and body.
First consider the size of the vase’s mouth, and then its body.
Vases with narrow mouths only allow room for a few thin stems.
Next, consider the size of the vase’s body. If the body is fuller or more rounded, it can allow for fuller, larger blooms at the top to balance out the size of the body.
Using the same concept, a vase with a narrow mouth and a slimmer body may look best with tall stems and average sized blooms so not to overpower the shape of the vase.
Here are some examples of common vase silhouettes with narrow mouths and varying sized bodies. They are paired with similar bouquet silhouettes to help you visualize their best match.
Another common vase shape includes those with wide mouths. Let’s consider the foolproof rule.
A wider vase mouth allows for an overall fuller arrangement to be created and can accommodate thicker stems.
If the body is on the slimmer side, florals that stay closer to the vase and don’t hang too much may be the best fit.
Vases with wide mouths and fuller, more rounded bodies will hold the must lush bouquets. Florals with a variety of larger head blooms, are larger in scale, or hang slightly will best complement this vase shape.
Below are some examples of common vase silhouettes with wide mouths and varying sized bodies. They are paired with matching bouquet silhouettes to help inspire you.
Somewhere in the middle, you find vases with average sized mouths in various sized bodies. These vessels are often the right size if you are displaying a typical sized flower arrangement.
An average mouth will accommodate more stems than the narrowest of vases, allowing you to utilize a variety of stem types.
Again, you will next consider the size of the vase’s body. If the body is fuller or more rounded, it can allow for fuller, larger blooms at the top to balance out the size of the body. A slimmer body is best for arrangements that are more upright and stay closer to the vase.
These little cuties are small vases meant to hold a single flower stem or tiny arrangements. These vessels are perfect to have on hand to display any stems that may have broken or been damaged during your larger floral arranging, or to showcase that single perfect bloom from your garden.
Bud vases are the perfect accent to add to your bedside table, bathroom vanity, or next to the soap dispensers near the kitchen sink.
As you begin curating your vase collection, I recommend you purchase the three most common vase shapes first: cylinder, hourglass, and bud. You can’t go wrong having these silhouettes at your disposal since they are the most versatile.
Creating floral arrangements is a little bit of an art and a little bit of a science. As you experiment with different stems, blooms, and vases, have fun with it! Fresh flowers are meant to be enjoyed so no matter how you decide to arrange, if they bring happiness that is what is most important!
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Integrating a mix of patterns in your home decor is a great way to add interest, depth, and personality to your space. However, it can be intimidating if you are just getting started! I’ve collected 7 easy tips to get you started on your pattern mixing journey with confidence.
