When we turned the corner into 2018 last month, one of Gray's resolutions that really stuck with us was his wish to have fresh flowers around the house weekly. If you don’t remember, here’s a little refresher:
“I LOVE seeing and smelling fresh flowers around the house, but don’t treat myself to that luxury nearly enough. If I had it my way, I’d have fresh flowers delivered to the house every week!”
We’re totally on the same page here, and wish we could make fresh flowers a reality on a daily basis! But of course, busy schedules and day-to-day responsibilities can make it difficult to make a stop for fresh flowers—let alone keep them alive in the days after… (We know we’re not the only ones who struggle with this!) Luckily, we’ve found a few solutions that are surprisingly close to the real deal. Faux florals and greenery have made leaps and bounds in the décor world, and what was once considered a design faux pas, is now more acceptable than ever. The reason? Nowadays you can find faux plants, stems, and entire arrangements that look so lifelike they’ll make you do a double take! But what’s the secret to finding faux flowers and plants that actually look realistic? We’re breaking it down for you below…
Image via Erica Domesek
Keep It Simple
When it comes to selecting your faux flowers and plants, don’t try to go for all the bells and whistles. Or in other words, look for arrangements that look clean and casual, not stiff and overworked. The addition of too many branches, ribbons, berries, and the like will cheapen your arrangement and make it pretty obvious that it is fake. (Basically, this is your PSA to stay far away from fake rain drops and overly glossy leaves.)
Faux Fan Palm Arrangement, Set of 2, $228
Purple Faux Allium, $4.95
Welcome the Imperfect
While real life plants and flowers undoubtedly look beautiful, they are far from perfect. So, when shopping for a faux arrangement or plant, avoid perfection! Search for plants and flowers that have intentional irregularities, variation in color, and a little asymmetry. If your arrangement is too perfect, it’ll be a dead giveaway that it’s just trying to pose as the real thing. If you don’t know how a plant should look off the top of your head, pull up a picture of the real thing on your phone so you can compare while shopping around.
Faux Potted Orchid, $59
Natural Protea, $12
Pick Your Plant Wisely
It’s no secret that some real-life plants already look fake to begin with (succulents, anyone?), so go for those variations that will lend themselves to a really great imitation. Go for options like fiddle leaf figs, aloe, snake plants, monstera leaves, and air plants, just to name a few. Generally, if the natural plant is overly complicated to begin with, it will make it more difficult to find a beautiful faux version.
Faux Potted Fiddle Leaf Tree, $588
Faux Olive Tree, $399
Opt for a Show-Stopping Pot
Nothing will ruin the effort you went to to find that perfect faux plant or flower arrangement quicker than a run-of-the-mill terra cotta pot. Instead, really invest some time and thought into picking the perfect pot to fit your new plant and the space it will be placed in. Not to mention, this is the perfect time to let other natural fibers do some leg work in making your plant look realistic! Try placing your fiddle leaf fig in that amazing woven basket you’ve been eyeing to give it a more organic feel.
Faux Potted Fiddle Leaf Tree, $588 | Milulu Basket, $78
- Lyon Planter, Ivory, $25 | 2. Porcelain Bird Planter, $138 | 3. Striped Nesting Basket, $228 | 4. Justina Blakeney Arthur Planter, $72 | 5. Mamba Basket, $45 | 6. Wrapped Around Pot, $35 | 7. Newport Colorblock Basket, $120 | 8. Golden Tulum Pot, $28 | 9. Marble Planter, $68
Expect to Get What You Pay For
Before we go further, let us make the disclaimer that it’s entirely possible to find an incredibly affordable faux plant or flower arrangement. That being said, this endeavor will take some scrutiny on your part, whether that means taking a trip to the store to look in person, or carefully reading the online reviews for something you’re eyeing (and making sure that shop has a generous return policy). Before you start shopping, just know that in some cases—especially when dealing with large scale trees or plants—quality faux pieces can cost a pretty penny. But the good news is they never die, right?
Bonus Tip: Place it Near a Window
After you’ve found the perfect potted plant or flowers, give them extra authenticity by placing them near a window. In real life, no plant would survive for very long if it was tucked away in a dark and dreary corner. So at the very least, let the sunlight touch just a bit of your arrangement—it’ll add more life to your space, and another lifelike element to your faux piece. Just make sure to keep it dusted! After all, it will be there for a while…
Image via Helen Owen
Have you ever tried adding faux florals to your space? What tips would you recommend?
We love that faux flowers and plants add a breath of life to our space, without adding yet another to-do to our list. So display those faux flowers proudly, light a floral scented candle (safely away from your arrangement, of course), and no one will ever be the wiser… ;)
Xx Team GM