Styling with Florals: Expert Tips from a Designer and a Florist Michelle from Boho Blooms
I've been really into florals lately. They bring so much life and colour into Interior spaces and are an affordable way to liven up any room. They can completely change the ambience of a space and add a touch of nature. Whether fresh or dried, flowers are a great way to enhance your home. I recently spoke with Michelle, a florist from Boho Blooms and a floral design expert. We discussed using florals to create unique, nature-inspired spaces in your home. Michelle shared some fantastic floral styling tips, and I've combined them with my design advice to help you bring that floral magic into your home!
Styling Tips from me (Ash) from a Designer Perspective:
Focus on One Area at a Time: If you're new to styling flowers, start with one area in your home, such as a coffee table or bedside. Choose a small vase and fill it with a simple arrangement. Try using a single type of flower, like roses or tulips, in a colour that matches your room’s vibe. This way, you won’t be overwhelmed with trying to style an entire room and can quickly see how flowers change the feel of the space.
Think About Where You Spend the Most Time: Place your flowers in areas where you’ll enjoy them the most! Do you spend mornings at the kitchen island or love to read in your living room? A small vase of fresh flowers on a kitchen counter or a striking arrangement on a living room side table can make these spaces more inviting and boost your mood throughout the day.
Create a Visual Flow Using Heights: Play with different heights to create a flow that draws the eye. Place taller stems, like snapdragons or delphiniums, toward the back and layer shorter, fluffier flowers, like peonies or roses, toward the front. This layering makes your arrangement feel fuller and more balanced.
Balance Colour with Room Mood: Flowers are an easy way to change a room’s mood. For a calming vibe in your bedroom, go for soft pastels like blush pinks, creams, or light blues. For a more energetic space like the living room or entryway, bolder colours like oranges, reds, and yellows can instantly add life and excitement.
Dried Florals for Low Maintenance Style: Still trying to decide whether to keep fresh flowers alive? Dried flowers are perfect for a long-lasting, low-maintenance option. They come in soft, earthy tones, which add texture and warmth to any room. Plus, they’re a great choice if you want to keep things looking fresh without worrying about watering.
Mix Flowers with Everyday Decor: Flowers don’t need to be the show’s star—blend them in with things you already have! Place a small vase of flowers next to your favourite stack of books on a coffee table or next to a framed photo. This makes your flowers feel like a natural extension of your space rather than a separate focal point.
Go Green: Use Foliage for a Fresh, Modern Look: If you’re not into colourful flowers, you can still create beautiful arrangements using only greenery. Lush green leaves like monstera, eucalyptus, or ferns add a sleek, modern vibe without feeling over-the-top. They also last longer than fresh flowers, bringing a refreshing, natural feel to your home.
Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules: There’s no right or wrong way to style flowers—experiment with what you like! Try a bunch of wildflowers in a vintage bottle or a single large bloom in a narrow vase. Play around with different shapes, textures, and placements until you find what feels suitable for your home.
Image from our Linen Range Collab Florals by Boho Blooms
Interview and Expert Advice from Michelle of Boho Blooms:
For someone who knows little about flowers, what are some simple tips for picking the right flowers to brighten up their home?
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy fresh flowers while ensuring they look stylish. Some tips I would suggest are:
1. Start with your favourite: If you know a flower you like—like roses, tulips, or proteas—start there! Sticking to one colour for an arrangement or one type of flower in a vase is very on-trend.
2. Complementary colours and textures: Choose colours that complement your home décor. For example, mix soft pastels for a calm look or bright, bold colours for a vibe. Add some greenery, like eucalyptus, for texture.
What common mistakes do people make when arranging flowers at home, and how can they avoid them?
1. Size: Consider the space where your flowers will go. Make sure the size of the arrangement you purchase or make fits the space, allowing plenty of room around it. If you have tall ceilings and ample open space, you can opt for taller arrangements, whereas if you have a smaller space, go for lower and broader arrangements.
2. Pick the right vase. A rule of thumb is that your arrangement should be about the same size as the vase in or 2/3 larger. Getting the balance right will make the most significant impact when arranging or cutting your flower stems.
3. Keep It Simple: Even a single stem in a sleek vase can make a statement. Simplicity often looks more elegant and modern. Rule
4. Stick to odd numbers—one stem, 3, 5, 7, etc. Aesthetically, it's a number we see visually.
Can you suggest a few flower types that are beautiful and easy to care for, especially for beginners?
Roses are long-lasting and hardy and can tolerate temperatures.
Disbud Mums Chrysanthemums- big, bold, and long-lasting.
Tulips keep growing if you keep the water clean and topped up.
Stock - smells fantastic, is cost-effective and will last over a week with the proper care.
Avoid ranunculus, peonies, and dahlias, which are far more temperature-sensitive.
What affordable ways can we incorporate flowers into everyday decor without breaking the bank?
The best thing you can do for your mind and soul is grow your flowers. From seedlings to cuttings, seeing them in a vase provides a full circle of joy. I enjoy a range of native flowers from my garden during the year, and every year, it's a thrill to see what’s grown well and what you can bring inside.
If you don’t have a garden or a green thumb, the best tip is to buy seasonal flowers from local florists, not supermarkets. Supermarket flowers are most likely the least fresh and incredibly discounted. Instead, find a local flower shop and opt for a simple bunch, which is fresher and you can enjoy for longer.
MY HOT TIP: Try some of those flower vans on the side of the road. I have bought some very affordable, fresh flowers from some in Perth, which come directly from the farms.
How can people make the most out of supermarket flowers and make them look more luxurious or personalised?
Buy a bunch of flowers rather than the ones arranged in a box. The bunches are better value because the stems are longer, and you can keep them fresh for more days. Cut the tips of the stems every few days and change the water frequently.
If roses are in the arrangement, check how ‘tight’ the petals are and how closed the rose is. If it's in full bloom and wide open, it may look beautiful, but be aware that usually can mean it's at its end.
Also, look for discolouration on the petals at the base of flowers. Discolouration means the flowers are old and have been sitting there too long.
What are your tips for making fresh flowers last longer in a home setting?
1. Changing the Water Regularly Leaving flowers in the same water for too long can lead to bacteria build-up, causing them to wilt quickly. To keep the flowers fresh, Change the water every 2-3 days and re-trim the stems.
2. Consider Temperature and Room Placement: Placing flowers in direct sunlight or near heat sources like heaters can cause them to die faster. The same goes for humidity! So, to extend their life, it is best to keep your flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight, heat, or cold drafts.
How can people use flowers to make a statement or add a personal touch to a special event, like a dinner party or family gathering?
Match the style of flowers to the theme of the dinner, whether it's formal or casual or Japanese or Italian. Matching the flowers to the theme is great to set a tone and vibe.
1. Japanese—Arranging orchid plants or Ikebana is very interesting. I once did it for a Japanese-inspired evening, during which we also did some origami with our guests.
2. Brunch: A combination of bright blooms and greenery in posey jars for a fresh and happy vibe.
Trying to match the flowers to the theme can be fun and enhance the event’s aesthetics.
If you could only choose one flower in your home all year round, which would it be and why?
The problem is that most flowers are only available some year round except for roses ( because 90% of them are imported into Australia). However, If I could, I would have Stock in my home all year because it is incredibly fragrant and comes in lots of pretty colours. Luckily, it is grown on local farms in Australia, so we are lucky to have it available in most warmer months.
Bud Vase Arrangement by Boho Blooms
Make sure to remember Selene Interiors' ethos when selecting and styling flowers for your space: