Artificial plants for your home decoration

Can I use them at home?

There is no single answer to this question. I believe that everyone should decide for themselves, because everyone has different conditions. Therefore, I have collected all the possible pros and cons of using artificial flowers at home so that you can make an objective decision.

Let’s start with the pros:

• They do not require care. No watering, replanting, fertilizing. You don’t need to worry about them on vacation.
• They always look the same. Live plants can get sick, and cut bouquets can wither and spoil the entire design with their sad appearance. Arrangements made of artificial flowers remain in their original form for many years.
• Suitable for allergy sufferers. Allergies are a common reason for refusing live flowers. Artificial plants do not cause a reaction, the main thing is not to forget to brush the dust off them.
• They can be placed anywhere. In a damp bathroom, on a cold balcony, in a dark corner of the hallway without natural light.
• They create a cozy atmosphere. If you often go on business trips or you can’t keep natural flowers for another reason, their copies will also add coziness to every room. High-quality “fakes” are almost impossible to distinguish from the originals.
• Interior decorations do not grow. Live ones need to be constantly trimmed or relocated as they grow in size – the old pot and location become too small for many in just a year.

In the photo, artificial grass in pots on a coffee table looks organic and adds eco-friendliness to the interior

Opponents of artificial flowers in the interior have the opposite point of view:

• Signs and superstitions directly associate artificial flowers with loneliness and conflicts in the family. They can also attract negative energy. If this is a big deal for you, then it is better to refuse in favor of live flowers.
• Poor-quality products may contain toxic substances, which can be harmful to health.
• Products collect dust. The argument is questionable, because real potted indoor plants also need to be periodically washed in the shower or wiped with a damp cloth.
• They can emit an unpleasant odor. When using cheap materials, new flower arrangements really do smell unpleasant.
• They cheapen the design. To avoid this, choose high-quality decorative elements.
• They evoke unpleasant associations. This is especially true for imitation flowers – roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, etc.

How to choose?

First of all, let’s consider what materials flowers are usually made of. Then you can decide for yourself whether to buy or make them yourself. Each material has its own characteristics, so let’s study this in more detail. It is important to take into account the recommendations when choosing, then homemade or purchased flowers will look natural and minimize all their shortcomings.

When choosing a “variety”, focus on the style of the room: roses for a classic interior, lavender will fit into Provence, peonies and orchids in modern minimalism. Green decorations will best complement the Scandinavian or eco-style.

The quality of the material is the main criterion for choosing. Of course, this will affect the cost, but you will get a quality product that will please you for many years.

1. First of all, pay attention to the smell – a strong smell is a clear sign of low quality. And it is better not to use such flowers at home, because this can negatively affect your condition.
2. After that, look at the labels and check the quality certificates.
3. If possible, study the reviews on Ozone, VB, etc. This way you will get a complete picture from real buyers.
4. Next, pay attention to the appearance. Refuse unrealistic acidic colors – they will look cheap and will burn out or fade over time.
5. Also look at how the design is worked out – small details will tell everything about the colors. The more detailed the bouquet is, the more realistic and beautiful they will look.

Let’s take a closer look at the choice of material:

• Plastic. It is often used to make decorative flowers in pots or stems, branches for flowering options. Large selection and a wide range of prices. If you choose expensive products, you will avoid most of the disadvantages.
• Fabric. It is used for leaves, petals. Depending on the type and manufacturer, there is both natural cotton and artificial airy organza, latex, polyester. Home craftsmen often use satin ribbons. Finished compositions should be kept away from sunlight to prevent fading.
• Foamiran. The thinnest decorative foam is easy to process, allows you to take into account the smallest details in production and make almost exact copies. Often used to create large-scale buds. An important nuance – it is better to keep the products away from heat and fire.
• Paper. Paper napkins, corrugated rolls or regular office sheets are used – it all depends on what kind of products you want to get.
• Polymer clay. Cold porcelain allows you to achieve the most accurate imitation, taking into account the smallest details – pistils, stamens, folds, bends. Craftswomen make bright bouquets and compositions from polymer clay that are indistinguishable from real ones.

Check out a selection of master classes on creating large paper flowers.

The photo shows two floor vases with artificial orchids

Also watch a video from Evgenia on choosing flowers:

Design options

Flowers have different shapes and everyone here chooses the one that suits their style.

Flowers in pots

They are available in the form of small succulents, as well as large ficus trees or palm trees. The most popular flowers are from IKEA: the range is represented by the FEJKA and SMIKKA items. The first one can be in the form of the usual artificial grass, as well as beautiful hanging flowers, trees and even flowering varieties (orchids, jasmine).

Small flowerpots will be appropriate on a work or coffee table, kitchen countertop or above it (hanging on a rail). Large floor ones are allocated a place near a sofa or bed, and they also occupy free corners. Several tall flowers in a row are suitable for zoning instead of walls and partitions.

Bouquets of artificial flowers

You can buy them ready-made, all you have to do is put them in a vase without water. Or you can assemble them yourself, buying the components individually. The first option is simpler, the second is more versatile – you choose the color and size of the bouquet, what it will include.

By the way, bouquets are made not only from blooming peonies or hydrangeas. To create compositions, branches of decorative foliage are used – ferns, eucalyptus, monstera and others. Such collections look unusual, and at the same time the eyes do not get tired from them as from flowers.

Take a look at the selection of unusual plants for the home.

Flower arrangements

There are a great many options here:

• assembled bouquets in vases or flowerpots (usually parts without stems are used, they are simply glued to the base – they can be small for a table or tall for the floor);
• wreaths for placing on walls, doors, ceilings (they have nothing in common with funeral accessories);
• floristic paintings (have a geometric shape, an alternative to posters and paintings in the living room or bedroom);
• decorative florariums (artificial plants in flasks);
• ikebanas (usually flat, low, elongated – they decorate tables, window sills);
• topiary (floral balls on legs).

When choosing, consider the intended location, interior style, color scheme.

The photo shows flowers in the form of a phytowall.

Garlands

Who said that they have to be New Year’s and glowing? Flowers on a long fishing line are suitable for wrapping, decorating a table, windows, creating compositions.

Do they need care?

Despite the fact that artificial plants do not need to be watered or replanted, they still need regular care. Taking care of the decor is the main condition for maintaining an ideal appearance for many years.

The first task is to remove dust. To do this, you can use a dust blower, a hair dryer with cold air, or a damp soft cloth. This should be done at least once a week, because dust accumulating on the surface not only spoils the appearance, but can also cause an allergic reaction.

Once every 1-3 months (depending on the condition of the decor), flowers are washed with a vinegar solution, mixing table essence 1:1 with clean water. The details are generously sprayed, or the composition is simply immersed in a basin of water. Vinegar disinfects, disinfects, refreshes, adds shine.

Important! Wet cleaning and washing are prohibited for flowers made of paper, polymer clay, foamiran.

In order not to spoil the appearance of flowers made of delicate materials, a dry cleaning method is used: to do this, pour starch into a large bag, immerse the product and gently but vigorously shake. The smallest particles of starch will absorb unnecessary moisture and help clean the surface from dirt and dust.

The photo shows a delicate bouquet of roses in the living room

How do they look in the interior of the rooms?

Now I will tell you where to place artificial compositions and how they look in different rooms. Artificial flowers, like living flowers, follow the basic principles of using plants in the home. Below I will show examples for different rooms and give recommendations.

In the living room interior, flowers are most often placed on the coffee table, on the side of the sofa or around the TV. Many use vines to decorate the wall above the sofa. Large plants can also be used for zoning in the kitchen-living room.

If you have a bookcase in the living room, then decorate it with flowers in pots – this solution will defuse the atmosphere, and due to their artificial origin, the flowers will look great even in dark rooms.

Flowers made of artificial materials look good in combinations according to the rule of three: for example, two identical vases on the edges of a decorative mirror. Or three flowerpots of different sizes on one stand.

Place a flowerpot with flowers or just artificial grass on a bedside table or chest of drawers in the bedroom. You can also decorate the headboard of the bed and you will not have to worry about a flower pot falling on your head while you sleep. For larger bedrooms, buy a tall vase and place it next to a dresser or vanity.

Artificial flowers will add freshness and brightness to the hallway. Most people don’t have windows in their hallways and it’s difficult to grow live plants there. So put a few pots of artificial orchids on the dresser and your hallway will sparkle with new colors. And if space allows, you can put large potted ficus trees near the door.

The kitchen is full of great places where artificial flowers will look great. From the dining table to the rails on the apron. Many housewives decorate open shelves with small flowers or simply place them on the countertop.

Don’t limit yourself to bouquets on tables: they also look great on windowsills. Paintings are suitable for walls, wreaths for doors. Don’t forget about phytowalls: they can be used to stylishly decorate the wall above the dining table.

The photo shows garlands of leaves on the wall

Flowers are simply an indispensable element in the interior of a bathroom and toilet. Place them near the sink or create a phytowall. It will look great. The interior of any bathroom will look much more comfortable with flowers that will retain their beauty for a long time and will not require additional attention from you.

Artificial flowers are a great alternative to real ones. The main thing is not to skimp on quality, then bouquets or flowerpots will look natural and will last for many years.