It’s likely that many of us have spent more time than normal in nature over the last year, whether through exercise, or walks and picnics with friends and family. Nature has an incredibly restorative effect on our wellbeing. So while we might be able to entertain inside again, we shouldn’t forget about the natural world. It’s time to bring the outside in.
We’ve put together ways to bring nature indoors and decorate your house with flowers and florals.
Ideas for using real flowers in your home
Dried flower decor
We’ve been loving the dried grass and flower trend, and it’s not going away any time soon! Dried flowers are a great high-impact, low-effort way to bring texture into a space – especially if you want to keep a neutral palette.
With any new trend it can be overwhelming to know where to start. If you want the classic look, use some pampas grass and a large ceramic style vase. Pampas grass comes in many different sizes and styles, so shop around to find what works best for your space.
Shay tall bookcase |@bekfaulk86
If you want to shake it up but keep a neutral palette, swap the pampas grass for some other dried flowers like palm fronds, poppy seed heads, and cotton stems. Dried flowers can also create beautiful pops of colour; try using some dried achillea yarrow or lavender.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling crafty, why not have a go at your own DIY dried flowers? All you need to do is take your fresh flowers, tie them together by the stems and hang them upside down for two to three weeks.
When it comes to styling your dried flowers, why not embrace another of the latest design trends? Complement them with rattan or terracotta pots to create a stunning warm neutral space. If you’re looking to create the feeling of more space in small rooms, pop them in metal or wooden pot stands. It’s a great way to bridge the gap between the dried flowers and your existing furniture and accessories.
Highgate TV unit | @behind_no-6
Wall flower arrangements
If you don’t have any floor space, consider using dried flowers in wall arrangements. From a beautiful wreath to a simple but effective flower pressed in a glass frame, there are so many options for hanging dried grasses that will give an instant impact. These are a fantastic bold alternative to hanging art or prints and can make a great focus point above a bed or sofa.
Bevel double bed | @laura.elizabeth_
Wall hangings can vary massively, from the beautiful, neutral, and minimalist one above to some much more dramatic pieces. If you love the dried flower look, go all in and create a lasting shelf, like the image below. This shelf of dried flowers creates a beautiful and compelling focal point!
Parquet TV unit | @newcountryhome
Flower vases
While dried flowers look amazing, you can’t beat a beautiful fresh bouquet. Real flowers make for beautiful centrepieces, especially if you go big on the wow factor when choosing a vase. Look for large, organic curves, bold colours or geometric patterns.
Large, neutral ceramic-style pots are very fashionable and create a stunning contrast with delicate and colourful bouquets. Use them as a focal point on your dining table or sideboard to bring an extra flash of colour and nature into your home.
When choosing the bouquet, you can either use pale or white flowers within a neutral colour scheme, or add a bold focus with bright colourful flowers. Keep things exciting by buying seasonal blooms and switching out different vase options depending on the flowers you have.
If you don’t have time to regularly buy fresh flowers, you can still get this look! There are many stunning, realistic fake bouquets which will last all year round and still give you a natural pop of colour and detail.
Highgate console table | @sarah_elizabeths_home
Houseplant decor
Houseplants have seen a massive revival over the last few years, as gardens have been getting smaller and more people live in urban areas. Having house plants in your home can create a green and calming oasis and make a space feel more tranquil and open. Some plants even have de-stressing effects! Because there’s so much variation, house plants can be versatile in suiting most colour palettes. Style your plants with natural wood furniture, wicker baskets and rattan for a classic boho look, or use bold colourful pots for a fashionable contrast.
You don’t need to surround yourself with difficult-to-keep plants to bring nature into your home. If you’re worried about keeping them alive, stick to easy types like spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) or jade plants (Crassula ovata), and water them once a week.
Want more houseplant advice? We teamed up with Ro Co to create a helpful indoor houseplant guide.
Original Rustic console table | @stylishhomesearch
Flower focaccia and garnishes
Flowers don’t have to be reserved for furnishings. They can also be a really fun decoration to incorporate into entertaining guests! That can be through drinks, like using crushed flowers in ice-cubes or to garnish cocktails, or in food. Our favourite example of using flowers in food is this beautiful focaccia made by Lisa Fearn.
Feel inspired? You can find recipes for baking with flowers on her Instagram.
Flower wreaths
It’s an old tradition to decorate your front door with a fir wreath on Christmas, but most people leave their front doors bare the rest of the year. A fun seasonal way to decorate your home with flowers is to buy or create a floral wreath. You can theme them for the season, be it autumn, summer or spring flowers, and use real, fake or dried flowers. Floral wreaths create an amazing first impression before you even enter the home, and can be a beautiful way to style the outside of your house.
Shay tall bookcase | @mrs_roobottoms_home
Floral home decor ideas
We love the trend of using real flowers in your home, but that’s not the only way to make use of floral themes. Here’s some ideas on how to use and style floral prints, designs and textures to bring a natural feel into your space, without using actual flowers!
Floral wallpaper
Floral wallpaper has been used in grand houses and traditional homes for years and can create a beautifully sophisticated look. If you want a more traditional feel to your floral wallpaper, look for muted colours and delicate petal patterns, with repeating motifs.
Parquet 2-drawer bedside table | @bettymfreeston
If a contemporary look is what you’re after, try bold and bright fern patterns or illustrated floral prints. A floral wallpaper makes for a brilliantly bold feature wall, and can be picked up by floral elements, flowers and plants within the room.
Hove bedside table | @atthelisles
Floral fabrics
Floral fabrics are a great way to bring texture and visual interest to your room. Depending on your personal style, you can either go for a bold and bright contemporary print or a delicate floral pattern. There are so many aspects of a space where you can bring in a floral fabric like cushions, lamp shades, curtains, and bedding to name just a few!
If you love floral prints, you can even incorporate them through your soft furnishings. Take a look at our Bramble collection for sofas and chairs finished in a stunning delicate floral fabric.
There are so many ways to style floral furniture to create different effects. If you want a traditional and cohesive look, pair it with similar cushions in a lighter or darker shade and a textured, single-colour rug. For a striking effect, use contrasting colour blocking in your cushions and pair with a matching rug.
Flower-inspired artwork
Putting up a painting or print in a room can completely transform the space. Everyone has different tastes when it comes to art, but flowers are a staple within most wall art styles, whether you prefer bold abstract prints or delicate botanical paintings.
Whatever your style, consider framing some floral art and pairing it with floral elements throughout the room, either through flowers, plants, or floral prints. For cohesion, be sure to tie in the colour palette of your room with the art you choose, and accessorise your space with similar colours, patterns, or motifs.
Parquet bedside table | @aliceincolour
How do you use florals in your home? We’d love to hear your ideas and see how you put these suggestions into action in your space. Show us your floral styling by tagging us on Instagram, or using #OakFurnitureland.
