The vessel that you use to display your floral arrangements is arguably just as important as the flowers and foliage you include. If you’re deciding between glass and ceramic vases, here’s my guide to choosing the right material for you
How will it work with your existing decor?
While both glass and ceramic vases can fit in with almost any style of décor, if you’re choosing between the two materials, it’s worth taking some time to consider whether the vase will match your overall aesthetic.
I love the versatility of glass, and while it can suit any space, I think it particularly works in functional spaces like the kitchen or bathroom. These rooms can often be quite busy and feature lots of different materials – wooden cabinets, marble counters, metal taps – and glass vases complement them all.
Plain clear glass is timeless and has an innate elegance, whether it’s a simple cylinder shape or something more distinctive. If you are looking to make more of a statement, why not try a textured glass? Vessels with ripple details, fluted edges, or a vintage-inspired design (like our apothecary vases) can add character to a room without being overpowering.
Ceramic vases also offer variety and are available in a range of different colours, shapes, and textures. If you’re a fan of neutral tones like me, matte and glazed ceramics naturally lend themselves to shades of white, cream, and stone grey. Ceramics also often feature thoughtful design details like the grooves in our Flowton and Lavenham vases. I enjoy displaying this type of vase in places where I want my arrangements to be a focal point like our entrance hall, on a mantelpiece, or on a side table in the living room.
Where will it be displayed?
All floral arrangements affect their surroundings and vice versa. When choosing the right vessel for your own arrangements, where it will be displayed will impact the ideal shape, colour, texture, and material of your vase.
When displaying an arrangement in front of a glass backdrop like a conservatory or bay window, glass vases can work well as they won’t block any lines of sight or spoil the view. However, a spot that gets a lot of sunshine might not be the best fit for a glass vessel if you don’t have a lot of time to maintain your fresh flowers. There’s nowhere to hide with glass; stems that have started to turn will be on full display, as will any water that has discoloured over time.
Ceramic vases can be a more forgiving option as they let you conceal your stems and any wire, tape, or flower frogs that you’ve used to keep your arrangement in place. This can be especially helpful if you’re planning to display it in a place where it will be viewed at 360-degrees like a table centrepiece. On the other hand, if you want to choose ceramic but don’t want to obscure a view or break up the space too much, a smaller vessel like a bud vase or footed bowl could be your best bet.
What type of flowers do you want to display?
When choosing a vase material, the type of flowers and foliage you’re planning to display is arguably the most important factor to consider. If you’re creating a piece with faux flowers, I’d recommend a ceramic vase. That’s because the opaque material will conceal the stems and any materials you’ve used in the construction process. It will also hide the fact that there’s no water in your vase – a tell-tale sign that your arrangement is faux rather than fresh.
That’s not to say that you can’t display fresh flowers in a ceramic vase, although it can be more difficult to keep ceramic vessels clean compared to glass. If you opt for fresh, it’s also important that you choose a ceramic vase with a glazed interior; unglazed ceramics can absorb water and may harbour microorganisms that could harm your flowers.
No matter which material you choose, there really is no right or wrong option. I enjoy sharing the tips I’ve learned over the years, but I also love that a big part of flower arranging is following your instincts and being creative. Rules are there to be broken; if you like how faux stems look in a clear glass vase or how a large ceramic vase pulls focus from your patio doors, then that’s what really matters. Don’t be afraid to experiment, learn by trial and error, and have fun!