Learn to arrange, with confidence, balance and ease

How to Style Faux Flowers

Beautiful flower arranging doesn’t need to feel complicated. With a few simple principles and a little practice, you can create arrangements that feel natural, effortless and professionally styled.

Whether you’re styling a kitchen island, a bedside table or a statement hallway console, these are the exact principles I use when designing arrangements at The Suffolk Nest.

Ashlee, Founder

Before you start arranging

Your vase sets the tone for the entire arrangement. When choosing a vase, think about:

  • Scale within the room
  • Where it will be styled
  • The width of the neck opening
  • Colour, texture and finish

A wider opening will need more stems to look full.

BROWSE OUR VASES

As a starting point, your arrangement should be approximately: 

  • 1.5x the height of your vase
  • 3x the width of your vase

Before placing anything into your vase: 

  • Fluff out the petals and foliage
  • Seperate and bend out the side shoots
  • Gently bend the stems to create movement and a natural shape

This is one of the most effective ways to make faux flowers feel incredibly realistic.

The Three Building Blocks

Every arrangement we create is built from three simple layers. Get the balance right and everything else falls into place.

  • 1. Foliage

    Your Foundation

    Foliage creates shape, movement, and structure. Think of it as the framework your flowers will sit within. 

    Examples: Eucalyptus, Olive, Fern, Grasses

  • 2. Focal Flowers

    Your statement blooms.

    These are the flowers that draw the eye and give your arrangement its personality. 

    Examples: Peonies, Hydrangeas, Tulips, Roses, Dahlias

  • 3. Filler Flowers

    Your softening layer.

    Filler flowers add texture, movement, and help everything feel softer and more natural. 

    Examples: Waxflower, Sweetpea, Blossom, White Willow

close up image of green eucalyptus stems
close up image of a white peony from a side angle
Close image of white waxflower stems

How to arrange, step by step

Four simple steps, the same way I build every arrangement in the studio.

Step 1: Start with foliage

Begin by building your base. This is the framework everything else sits within.

  • Bend your stems so the arrangement reaches roughly 1.5× the height of your vase.
  • Cross the stems inside the vase so they hold each other in place.
  • Keep it light and airy, leaving plenty of gaps for your flowers.

At this stage it should feel textural and full of movement, not full.

Step 2: Add statement blooms

Your focal flowers give the arrangement its personality, so place them with intention.

  • Work in odd numbers (three or five) for a more natural look.
  • Vary the heights, placing one slightly higher and the others lower and towards the front.
  • Keep them a little off-centre, and angle a few outwards so they face the room.

Allow each stem some room to breathe and have its own 'moment'.

Step 3: Layer in filler flowers

Fillers soften the shape, fill the gaps and bring the arrangement to life.

  • Weave them between your focal flowers to break up any blocks.
  • Let a few stems reach beyond the outline for movement and a relaxed, just-picked feel.
  • Use them to balance any areas that look heavier on one side.

Less is more. Stop when it feels full but can still breathe.

Step 4: Step back & refine

The finishing touches are what make an arrangement look professionally styled.

  • Look from a distance and from every angle, turning the vase as you go.
  • Adjust heights, and fluff out petals and side shoots if needed.
  • Remove anything that feels crowded or competes for attention.

Take a photo on your phone. It’s a quick way to spot gaps and uneven areas.

Faux white and green flower arrangement in a glass vase with water

THE FINISHING TOUCH

Should I cut or bend my stems?

It depends on your vase.

In a ceramic, stone or opaque vase, bend. Most of our stems have a wire core, so you can simply bend them to the height you need. The stem stays whole, so it can be restyled to suit any future vase or arrangement.

In a glass vase, cut. Bent stems show through the glass, so trim them to length with wire cutters for clean, natural-looking lines. Always cut a little longer than you think; you can take more off, but you can’t add it back. Then seal the cut ends with hot glue, super glue or clear nail varnish to protect the wire inside.

For the most realistic finish, add water. It’s the most realistic look of all, but only for fully plastic stems. Paper, fabric or tape-wrapped stems should stay dry, as the wrapping absorbs water, discolours and can cause the wire to rust.

SHOP FAUX STEMS
White distressed vase with faux white lilac stems laying alongisde on a marble worktop

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