Wondering whether to use faux or real flowers in your arrangements? Read on for my top tips to help you choose the best option for you.
When it comes to choosing between faux and real flowers, there is no right or wrong answer. The right option for you will depend on things like your personal taste, priorities, budget, and more. Here are a few things to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of faux and real flowers:
Seasonality
One of my biggest inspirations at The Suffolk Nest is the changing seasons. I love the way nature shifts throughout the year, with different plant varieties and colours emerging as the weather turns.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the only way to reflect the seasons in your home décor is to choose fresh florals. There’s something extra-special about celebrating the transition from spring to summer while making the most of peony season, for example, during those few weeks a year when this variety is in full bloom. The same could be said of daffodils (the symbol of spring), autumnal dahlias, and Christmas roses.
However, there’s no reason why you can’t also showcase seasonality with faux varieties. Simply select faux stems that replicate the fresh blooms you’d find growing in nature, alongside foliage that captures the same aesthetic, whether that’s lush greenery or bare branches. Once the season changes, you can simply pack your faux stems away for the next year and replace them with the new season’s blooms.
Plus, with faux flowers, you’re also not limited by the seasons. If you love the look of pink peonies, choosing a set of faux stems means you could enjoy them year-round.
Maintenance
If you’ve got green fingers and find tending to your floral arrangement therapeutic, taking care of fresh flowers could well feel more like a pleasure than a chore.
To help your fresh arrangements last longer, I recommend trimming each stem at a 45-degree angle before adding them to a vase, changing the water every two or three days (ideally at room temperature rather than hot or cold), and displaying them in a cool room.
On the other hand, it you’re short on time or simply don’t want to commit to the level of maintenance fresh flowers can require, faux displays can be much easier. Of course, you don’t need to worry about keeping them in water – although I personally do love to do this for some arrangements as they look even more authentic. Just make sure you don’t use paper stems which The Suffolk Nest rarely choose.
To care for your faux flowers, I suggest dusting them over with a damp cloth, keeping them out of direct sunlight (or rotating them so that any discolouration happens evenly), and store them somewhere cool and dry while they’re not in use. If you’ve bought a faux arrangement from The Suffolk Nest, consider keeping the box it arrives in as it’s the perfect size for storage.
Cost
Although high quality faux flowers can be more expensive to purchase, they could be a more cost-effective option over time as you won’t have to purchase any new blooms unless your taste changes, or you simply want to fresh up your interior décor. Faux florals can last for several years if you take good care of them.
The price of a bouquet of fresh flowers can vary; you might be able to pick up a bunch at your local supermarket for less than £5, but florists could offer premium arrangements that reach three figures or more. Even if you buy the most affordable varieties, keep in mind that spending £5 or £10 every two weeks to keep your flowers fresh might not seem like a lot, but it can quickly add up.
Fragrance
Modern faux flowers can be virtually indistinguishable to real blooms in look and feel, but one thing even the finest faux varieties can’t replicate is the fragrance that fresh flowers offer. Fragrance is one of my favourite things about real flowers; I love the way scent can transform a space, improve my mood, and evoke memories.
If you’re looking for a flower with a distinctive scent, I love the sweet aroma of peonies, the soft fragrance of lilacs, or the slightly citrus tones of Magnolia.
That doesn’t mean you need to miss out on enjoying scents in your home if you choose faux flowers – you can always burn candles instead. Our Jasmine and Mandarin candle combines sweet and spicy tones with its mix of citrus and soft blossom tones, while our Rose and Freesia has a delicate blend of rose, pear, cedar, and amber.
Allergens
Whether you have a family member who is sensitive to allergens or want to welcome guests into your home without having to worry about them having a reaction, faux flowers can be a great alternative to real for those with a pollen problem. This is also one advantage of them being fragrance free as they’re unlikely to cause any irritation. If you’d like to create an allergen-free environment, I recommend considering swapping out real flowers for faux alternatives.
However, if you love real flowers too make to make the switch entirely, there are some hypoallergenic varieties that may be better for allergy sufferers. These include lilies, hydrangeas, orchids, tulips, and roses.
The best of both worlds?
If you really can’t choose between faux and fresh flowers, the great news is - you don’t have to! Personally, I enjoy mixing fresh varieties into my faux arrangements; it helps to inspire my creativity and means I can switch things up throughout the season while keeping my base display consistent.
My advice if you’re thinking of combining both types of flower is to consider building a base of faux foliage that can act as blank canvas for your fresh blooms; choose high quality hyper-realistic faux flowers.