Stunning centerpieces require the perfect combination of a magnificent vase and a well-thought-out arrangement. So, how do you choose a flower vase to go with your arrangement? This vase and flower pairing guide will discuss everything from picking the style of the vase to finding the best vase shape for the flowers. Want some inspiration for your next event? Read through our tips for choosing a flower vase to create beautiful arrangements and centerpieces.
Different Types of Vases for Flowers
Before you can learn how to choose the right vase for your flower arrangement, you need to understand your options. After all, there can be plenty to choose from! Vases primarily differ in their shape, height, and material. These differences can help you create certain styles to get the aesthetic you're seeking, such as:- Modern
- Rustic
- Classic
- Minimalist
- Natural
You can easily create other styles depending on what you include in the vase. Tropical flowers and greenery, for example, can transform any style into a beachy, tropical aesthetic, for instance. To play around with styles and create something new, it helps to understand the various types of vase shapes and materials available.
Types of Vase Shapes: What to Choose for Your Intended Style
Part of what contributes to a centerpiece's style is the shape of the vase. There are several options to consider here, including:- Cylinders: Cylinder vases, also called column vases, tend to work well for flowers with long stems. You could also use shorter stems and feature decorative filler in a clear vase, or use floral foam if your vase isn't transparent. Note that cylinder vases may also be called hurricane vases, though that variety often features more curves or angles. Sleek cylinder vases can certainly provide a modern look for your centerpiece, but they are flexible when it comes to style. Other vase materials, such as woods and porcelain, may help create a rustic or classic look.
- Cubes: These vases are often shorter and provide a particularly modern feel to your decor in certain materials. Use a cube vase if you plan to pack plenty of flowers in one arrangement or want a single flower to stand on its own.
- Bud vases: As the name implies, a bud vase is meant for a single flower bud. They often come in bottle or cylindrical shapes or even cube-shaped designs. Depending on the shape and the bloom you put inside, you can create a minimalist, classic, or modern style. This style of vase is particularly versatile!
- Fishbowls: A fishbowl vase, also simply called a bowl, has a spherical look. Because of its shape, it is better suited for bouquets with shorter stems. You can create classic, minimalist, or whimsical arrangements, depending on the vase's material.
- Urns: Vases in an urn shape have the most variety of shapes and styles. Some urn vases have handles, while others have a sleeker profile without. A majority of urn vases have an hourglass shape or other curved profiles. Urn vases have a more traditional appearance than other vase shapes, making them a completely stunning option for classic arrangements and styles.
While these vase shapes are among the more popular choices to use in arrangements, your options are endless when you consider other vase shapes, materials, and sizes. Ball, balloon, bottle, and rectangle vases are also common.
GLASS FLOWER BOWLS
Glass bowls are unique vessels you can fill with water, sand, and other items to create a unique centerpiece that complements your event's theme. These bowls are also great for other uses, such as adorning a treat table or welcome area. Flower bowls go beyond their name to serve several purposes. Regardless of how you want to incorporate flower bowls into your decor, trust that Jamali Garden has the right sizes and shapes for you.
Different Vase Sizes
The size and height of your vase may contribute somewhat to the overall style, but they are also essential to consider when deciding which flowers will go inside your vase and where the vase will go. Different shapes of flower vases come in a wide range of heights and widths, making them suitable for areas of distinct sizes and needs. If you want an array of heights and widths in your decor, certain styles of vases may have more variety than others. Cylinder vases, for example, come in several different heights and widths. Cube and fishbowl vases, on the other hand, come in various sizes, but they tend to be a bit more limited. You can't have a tall and narrow cube or fishbowl vase, for example, because their width and height are relative to each other. There is a lot of variation among vase heights, so you have endless options. When you choose the height of your vase, you can generally choose between:- Tall: Tall vases are suitable for flowers with tall stems that you'd like to put on large tables. They can work on eye-catching display tables to draw attention. Tall and slender vases work well as centerpieces because guests can easily see each other. If a vase were tall and wide, on the other hand, it could likely obstruct guests' views.
- Medium: Medium height vases suit just about any variety of table sizes. They also work well with tall and short-stemmed flowers alike, as long as you trim the stems appropriately or use filler when needed.
- Short: Smaller tables look lovely with a short vase and a delicate bouquet. It's best to use smaller blossoms and shorter stems, so you don't risk anything falling over or overwhelm the vase.
Types of Vase Materials
The material of a vase influences its style just as much as the shape does. There are plenty of materials available, but the most common ones include:- Glass: Glass vases come in mercury glass, colored glass, clear, and other varieties. Glass can evoke any style from modern to traditional. Some glass vases also feature a different color or material around the rim, such as gold, for a further accented look. Use a clear glass vase in a simple shape if you'd rather draw attention to the flowers instead of the vase.
- Metal: Metal vases can evoke any style from sleek to antique. You'll find nickel, aluminum, gold, brass, copper, bronze, and other tones in your search for metal vases. Antique, galvanized, or brushed finishes can help create rustic displays, while shiny finishes offer a more modern look.
- Ceramic: Ceramic vases are one of the most versatile when it comes to style. With plenty of colors, designs, and shapes available, you'll find just what you need. Plain white ceramic vases are popular, but you'll also find colorful options for a whimsical look or textured options with a dark, contrasting trim for a sophisticated style.
- Wood: Wood vases give arrangements a rustic and natural feel. They can function as modern vases when in a sleek style, and they come in a variety of stains, colors, and textures to meet any of your needs.
How to Choose the Right Vase for Your Flower Arrangement
So, how do you choose the right vase for your flowers? Your endless vase options may make this task seem daunting, but we've got some tips for choosing a flower vase for various blooms.What Type of Vase for Roses?
Roses are classic and romantic, so they need a vase that matches their elegant style. The best vase type for roses depends on your overall decor, but you may want to use:- An urn vase: A ceramic urn vase has a vintage, classic feel that goes beautifully with roses. With a wide base, narrow middle, and flared top, an hourglass or trumpet vase allows a dense bunch of roses enough room to fan out in a beautiful display. You can always hand-tie a less dense bouquet if you need to give your arrangement some structure in an hourglass vase.
- A glass vase: Glass will let the roses speak for themselves. You want this classic and impressive flower to be the star of your centerpiece rather than the vase. Glass is a classic material for vases, making it the perfect match for elegant roses.
- A bud vase: Roses are some of the best flowers for bud vases, especially in a romantic yet understated venue. You'll need a rose with a trimmed stem to fit in a cube or ball bud vase, but you can fit a taller stem or two in a slender cylinder.
How Do You Vase a Hydrangea?
You may look at these impressive blooms and wonder — how do you show hydrangeas off in a vase? Hydrangeas are large and impressive blooms with a rounded shape. You can either contrast their shape with that of your vase or complement it. Your options for what type of vase to use for hydrangeas include:- A cube vase: Orange or dark pink hydrangeas would make a stunning statement in a glass cube vase. Or, you could choose a color that goes with your decor theme or the venue. If you want a modern look that contrasts the classic appearance of the blooms, a cube may be the best type of vase for hydrangeas.
- A bowl vase: The round shape of hydrangeas and trimmed stems work well in many types of bowl vases. The antique look of hydrangeas complements an antique copper bowl vase, especially with blooms in warmer tones. With warmer tone flowers and a modern look, you could try a gold bowl vase for the perfect complement. If you have cool tones in your color scheme and have hydrangeas to match, select a glass bowl vase instead of warm metals.
- A ceramic vase: For a soft and elegant arrangement, pair hydrangeas with a white ceramic urn vase. Blue, antique purple, or white hydrangeas would all look lovely in this style of vase. Stick with antique ceramic vase styles to complement the aesthetic of hydrangeas.
What Type of Vase for Peonies?
The best type of vase for peonies tends to be anything curved. They are soft and romantic, often appearing in shades of pink, cream, or other warm tones. Because of their understated style, the best type of vase for peonies is something in glass. There are plenty of shapes available, so consider using:- Milk bottle vases for a rustic feel.
- Textured cylinder vases to add some dimension.
- Cube vases for clean lines that let the flowers stand out.
What Kind of Vase for Orchids?
Orchids often appear in white, light pink, or magenta shades with a long stem. To support that stem, you may want to use a taller vase or include wire support for the orchid. Orchids have a beautiful appearance that's often featured in modern displays like:- A narrow vase: Tall glass cylinder vases are a popular type for orchids, but you can use other decorative styles as well. A glitzy gold ombre vase adds an elegant touch, while metal makes a more modern display.
- A tapered vase: A tapered cement vase gives a modern and industrial look that has a striking contrast with orchids. For contrast on the vintage side, choose a tapered old pewter vase to go with your orchid.
- A cube vase: Polished brass cube vases take a modern orchid to a sophisticated level. If you'd rather a subtle vase to call attention to the flowers instead, choose a glass cube vase. Be sure to add a sturdy filler that will help keep the orchid upright if you go with this shorter option.
Best Vase Type for Magnolias
You'll often find magnolias in magnificent shades of white and cream that can make for classic and vintage arrangements. Because of the larger blooms, you can use a magnolia on its own, as an accent in a mixed bouquet, or in a bunch of magnolias. If you'd like to use one magnolia blossom for a delicate display, you can use smaller vases like:- Green glass cylinders that contrast the white of the bloom.
- Amber luster ball bud vases for a soft, elegant look.
- Glass bud vases with an urn shape for a classic feel.
What Kind of Vase for Cherry Blossoms?
Cherry blossoms feature lighter colored blooms, often pink or white, on a branch, making them similar to orchids. They have a more classic look than their modern counterparts, but you can easily adapt cherry blossoms into different styles, as you can with most blooms. Consider using:- A glass urn vase for classic displays.
- A white ceramic cylinder vase for something modern.
- A polished brass julep cup that fans out slightly for a high-end look.
How Do You Vase Tropical Flowers?
Tropical flowers are bright and fun, so you can use equally fun vases to hold your tropical centerpieces. This category includes more variety than others, giving you even more possibilities. Some common tropical flowers include: You also have plenty of tropical greenery to consider. Monstera and palm leaves are popular options, and with their large, fanned-out leaves, you may want a taller vase to accommodate your arrangements. Modern, natural, and simplistic styles often go best with tropical flowers, so think about using:- A Ceramic with clean lines to create a modern arrangement.
- A wood vase to enhance the natural feel.
- Gold or other warm metal tones to add a modern touch.
- A Glass vase to create a simple and tropical arrangement.
- Colored glass to bring out the vibrant colors of tropical flowers.
Other Tips for Choosing a Flower Vase
The style of your flowers and vase go hand in hand, but there are also some other factors to consider. When you choose a theme, colors, vase materials, shape, and more, you should:- Consider the event: The decor at your event or the style of the venue can help influence what style of vase you chose. Whether your centerpieces are the main decor component or on the subtle side, you don't want them to clash with the rest of the room.
- Play with color: If you choose a vase with color, you can choose whether you contrast, complement, or match the hue of your floral arrangement. Opting for clear glass vases is stunning for minimalist decor, but sometimes you need a bit of fun.
- Decorate the vase: With almost every style of vase, you can add some sort of accent. From ribbons to raffia and other decorative elements, a few simple touches can make your vases perfectly match the rest of the venue.
- Keep it minimal: If your decor is more minimal, have the vases match. Don't add filler or decorative accents on the outside of the vase, and instead, let the flowers take the spotlight.
- Choose artificial flowers: When you use artificial flowers, you can reuse the displays, and you don't have to worry about adding water. You can instead prioritize filling the vase with filler that matches your decor or leave the vase minimal with only the stem of flowers inside.
FAQs About Pairing Flowers and Vases
Some commonly asked questions about matching flowers with vases are:How Tall Should Flowers Be in a Vase?
In general, the flowers you put in a vase should be between one and a half to two times the height of the vase. You want your flower arrangement and vase to be in proportion, so the arrangement is as visually appealing as possible. Consider how to make a floral arrangement in a tall vase. You wouldn't want to use short stems that would fall into the vase. Instead, you want your gorgeous bunch of flowers to stand tall above the vase.Can Live Flowers Go in Any Vase?
You should try to avoid crowding live arrangements in smaller vases. The blooms may not open properly, or their leaves and petals may end up in the water, which allows bacteria to grow and can damage the flowers. You may also want to avoid using live flowers in wood or ceramic vases if they are not glazed in any way, because they may absorb the water live flowers need. When you use silk flowers, you have much more flexibility in the types of vases you can use.What Filler Should I Add to My Vase?
When you use silk flowers, you don't need to worry about adding water to keep the flowers alive, but you do need to consider the filler. Filler adds a decorative touch to see-though vases and helps keep the arrangement sturdy in the vase. You can even use certain fillers in opaque vases to keep everything together. Your options for floral accessories and filler include:What Type of Greenery Should I Use in My Vase?
Just as you consider the height of your flowers and vase when creating an arrangement, you should do the same for your greenery. Taller stems and filler work in taller vases, while leaves and other shorter greenery suit short vases. You can also get creative and:- Fill a short, glass vase with leaves to hide the stems.
- Use large, fanning leaves to contrast a narrow vase.
- Feature branches in tall vases for a statement.