Artificial Flowers for Home and Door

How to choose artificial flowers

Start with where the flowers will live. A dining table centerpiece calls for a fuller stem, like The Silk Peony Stem Trio at 20 in (50 cm) tall with 3 heads per stem. A shelf or narrow vase works better with a single bloom, like The Grand Peony Bloom at 12 in (30 cm) across. For a front door or porch, look for outdoor-friendly pieces such as The Hawaiian Flower Garland Wreath, which is made for outdoor use.

Next, think about color. Neutral shades like milk white, champagne and light green blend into most rooms. Bold shades like black, burgundy and deep blue make a focal point. Many products here come in a wide color range, so you can match an existing palette or build a new one.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your vase opening and the space above it before you buy. A stem that is too tall will flop, and one that is too short will disappear into the vase.

Key sizes on this page:

• The Grand Peony Bloom: 12 in (30 cm) across, 1 head per stem
• The Wisteria Cascade Garland: 43 in (110 cm) long, 12 strings per pack
• The Rose Head Pack: 3.1 in (8 cm) across, 10 heads per pack
• The Silk Peony Stem Trio: 20 in (50 cm) tall, 3 heads per stem
• The Velvet Rose Head: 4 in (10 cm) across, 10 heads per pack
• The Cherry Blossom Glow Vine: 71 in (180 cm) long

For a full arrangement, plan on 5 to 9 stems for a standard vase and more for a wide bowl. Bulk packs like The Silk Rose Head Set with 100 rose heads and The Blue Bloom Mix with 20 or 50 heads per set let you fill a large container or scatter blooms across several small ones.

Materials and textures

Most artificial flowers are made from silk fabric, polyester or PE, and the feel varies by product.

• Silk fabric petals: soft and lightly textured. See The Rose Head Pack, The Silk Peony Stem Trio, The Silk Rose Head Set, The Blue Bloom Mix and The Cherry Blossom Glow Vine.
• Polyester petals: crisp and durable. See The Speckled Lily Stem and The Midnight Rose Stems.
• Velvet fabric petals: soft velvet-touch finish. See The Velvet Rose Head.
• PE petals with real-touch foam: firm shape with a soft surface. See The Grand Peony Bloom.
• Non-woven fabric petals: light and flexible. See The Hawaiian Flower Garland Wreath.

Stems matter too. The Silk Peony Stem Trio, The Silk Rose Head Set and The Cherry Blossom Glow Vine have a bendable wire core, so you can curve them to fit a vase or arch them over a mantel. The Wisteria Cascade Garland has green leaves at the top of each string, which hides the join when you drape it.

Styling ideas by room

Entryway: The Hawaiian Flower Garland Wreath on the door, or The Cherry Blossom Glow Vine along a console with its warm white LED lights.

Living room: The Wisteria Cascade Garland over a shelf, or The Silk Peony Stem Trio in a tall vase.

Bedroom: The Velvet Rose Head in a small bowl, or The Rose Head Pack split across bud vases.

Table: The Petal Confetti Mix, a random mix of mini rose, hydrangea and daisy style blooms with layered petals in pastel shades, works as a low centerpiece.

Dark or moody rooms: The Midnight Rose Stems in black, 10 stems per pack, or The Speckled Lily Stem with dark speckles and curled stamens.

Care and keeping them fresh

Dust is the main issue. A soft brush or a cool hair dryer on low setting clears most petals. For silk and polyester petals, a light wipe with a damp cloth works. Do not soak velvet petals or foam petals.

Keep artificial flowers out of direct sun to slow fading, and away from hot surfaces. The Speckled Lily Stem and The Midnight Rose Stems are listed for indoor use. The Hawaiian Flower Garland Wreath is made for outdoor use, though a covered spot will help it last longer.

Store extra heads and stems flat in a box with tissue between layers. Bendable wire stems can be straightened by hand before you reshape them.