Decorating with Faux Florals: How to Select the Most Realistic, Natural-Looking Stems
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Plants bring something to a space that no other piece of decor can.
In design, it’s widely understood that greenery adds an organic quality, bringing life, softness, and movement to a space. Florals and stems, in particular, have the power not only to enhance the beauty of a room but also to create balance within it.
What do I mean by balance?
Take a look around your space and notice the lines, corners, and angles of your furniture and decor. Consider the weight each one carries and the space it occupies. These pieces give a room structure, but when a space is made up solely of objects with harsh edges, it can feel cold and rigid.
Florals and stems bring a sense of rhythm and ease to a space, adding the softness that balances out structured elements. Their natural shapes introduce warmth and harmony, making a room feel more relaxed and inviting.
However, not all florals and stems are created equal, and not all bring the same quality to a space.
Why I Prefer Stems Over Pre-Made Arrangements.
We’ve all seen those faux florals that feel a little too artificial: the ones that are overly full, too stiff, and unmistakably fake. Think, for example, of those single-unit faux arrangements—you know the ones, where the stems are already “styled” and fixed in the vase or container. Convenient, yes, but rarely convincing.
While those pre-made arrangements may seem like an easy and budget-friendly way to bring florals into your home (and yes, I had them once too), the truth is, they rarely live up to the look you want and can unintentionally diminish the overall feel of your space.
Instead, I like to pair a few lifelike stems with a favorite vase for a thoughtful and elevated look. The difference is immediate, and it’s the kind of detail that makes a room feel truly considered.
The Case for Investing in High-Quality Faux Florals.
Faux florals and stems are my go-to for everyday living. They bring lasting beauty and ease to a space without the upkeep of fresh arrangements. I’ll occasionally mix in a real tree or potted plant depending on the season, but no matter what, I never compromise on quality. Even the simplest accents should feel intentional and add something special to the room.
For me, good design has always been about knowing where to splurge and where to save. When it comes to florals, I almost always choose to invest in high-quality stems. That doesn’t necessarily mean spending the most—it means being selective. Well-made stems move naturally, photograph beautifully, and bring a level of beauty and realism that’s hard to deny.
A Guide to Sourcing Realistic Faux Florals
So how do you spot a high-quality stem? Over the years, I’ve narrowed it down to three key things I always consider when shopping for faux florals and stems to help me choose the most realistic, natural-looking pieces for my home.
Color.
This tip is two-fold.
First, consider the color of the flowers and leaves themselves. Ask yourself: does the color align with what I would actually see in nature and does the color align with what I want for my space?
Because my style leans toward a moodier color palette, I tend to look for darker, more neutral hues rather than bright, vibrant ones. For example, during the holidays, that often means reaching for rich shades like deep burgundy and dark green, instead of a vivid red or green.
Also look for variation within the petals and leaves. This means identifying a slight shift in tones throughout the piece—this will help the piece look more natural. Low-quality pieces almost always lack enough variation to be truly convincing.
Second, consider the color of the stem or branch itself. Is it realistic in both color and texture? And again, look for subtle variations that mimic the way real stems naturally age. Higher quality stems will typically have a more natural look, with a stem that’s dark green or brown, while lower quality pieces often have a bright green stem that looks almost neon or plastic.
Silhouette.
This point comes into play even more when you start styling, but it’s worth keeping in mind as you shop. What I’m really talking about here is considering the size and fullness. Think about what kind of look you want for your space (in terms of fullness or sparseness of the pieces) and most importantly, whether the piece can be trimmed or shaped to achieve that.
Sometimes a single stem or branch in a vase feels just right, while other areas might call for something a little fuller. Mixing both creates a natural balance and keeps your home feeling layered and intentional.
Don’t be afraid to trim the piece to get the look you want, but make sure the piece allows for it. Remember, plants in nature rarely grow in perfect symmetry, and that bit of variation is what makes them feel real. However, some florals/stems are too short or overly full to adjust, leaving you with a shape that may feel unnatural.
When you’re shopping, make sure there’s enough length or fullness to work with.
>> If you’re looking for guidelines on how to get the correct size and scale of your arrangement, check out this post: Your Guide to Faux Floral Centerpieces & Arrangements: 5 Tips for a High-Impact Look.
Flexibility.
Finally, pay close attention to the flexibility of the piece overall. This detail is one of the most important to me, and it’s the single reason I’ve moved completely away from those pre-made arrangements mentioned above.
The key here is to think about how the piece would naturally behave in nature. Would the leaves droop slightly under their own weight, or would they stand tall? Then, take note of how easily the piece you’re considering can bend or adjust, this will tell you how natural and flexible it will look once styled.
Higher quality stems can be shaped from the leaves to the branches, allowing you to style them just the way you want. You can tilt the flowers for a softer, drooping look or position them upright for more structure. Lower quality pieces, on the other hand, tend to be stiff and difficult to move, making them harder to style naturally.
Inspiration and Ideas From My Home.
Florals and stems have an incredible way of transforming a space. In my own home, I use them in all shapes, sizes, colors, and styles to soften corners, break up harsh lines, and bring life and movement to every room.
Shop All My Favorite Faux Florals, Stems, & Trees
Get Inspired And See How I Style Florals & Stems In My Own Home ↓
Florals and stems are also one of the easiest ways to refresh a room.
I especially love how effortlessly they can be shifted with the seasons—warm neutrals and branches in the fall, lush greenery in the winter, and airy stems in the spring and summer.
Each change adds a new layer of texture and color, reflecting the rhythm of the seasons and keeping your home feeling fresh and renewed.
Shop My Favorite Florals & Stems by Season:
Spring & Summer • Fall • Winter
The Final Touch: Selecting A Vase
The vase you choose is just as important as the stems themselves. The right pairing brings the whole arrangement together and helps it feel natural and effortless.
It goes without saying, but the size of the vase should suit the stems. Tall stems need a vase with enough height and weight to keep them balanced, while shorter or more delicate stems tend to look best in something smaller and simpler.
Again, if you’re looking for a guideline for getting the scale of your arrangement correct, check out this post: Your Guide to Faux Floral Centerpieces & Arrangements: 5 Tips for a High-Impact Look.
Personally, I love pairing a favorite stem with an antique or vintage vase because it instantly makes any arrangement feel more thoughtful and elevated.
Shop Our Best-Selling Vintage Pottery Collection ↓
Our best selling vintage pottery collection includes timeless vases that complement faux florals and stems beautifully. Shop the collection to find the perfect piece for your home.
Shop Vases From Some Of Our Favorite Home Brands ↓
I also love incorporating vases from some of my favorite home brands into my designs, because you can find the exact size and shape you need. Newer pieces offer more options, and when the finish feels aged, they blend beautifully with vintage pieces.
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Hi, I’m Casey, founder of Refuge Interiors, where I combine my lifelong love of decorating and design with a passion for sourcing vintage and antique treasures to create classic, collected interiors that feel warm, inviting, and beautifully lived in.
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