Plants or flowers essentially add life to your space. They do this through colour, pattern, texture, and shadow. I’m including the pot or vase in this thought process. With a client recently, I suggested she doesn’t use artificial flowers if she wants an elegant polished Contemporary finish. Here’s how to choose between artificial or dried flowers for apartment styling
When to use dried flowers in your apartment
I have used both artificial and dried flowers and plants in my own apartment and with clients. Especially in photoshoots.
For my apartment the deciding factors was both maintenance and about adding a rustic, homely feel.
So in my kitchen I used dried olive branches and dried bay leaves. My kitchen is inspired by rustic country southern European kitchens.
You know the kind I mean with herbs and other foods hanging from the kitchen. I always found this inviting and welcoming for guests.
It’s interesting to consider what certain dried flowers and foliage communicates and how that also corresponds to you chosen interior style.
For a photoshoot for a kitchen renovation project I completed I used the client’s own bouquet of dried Australian natives. I also love dried Eucalyptus and have this in my own apartment.
Some flowers work well dried, I like lavender, Billy Buttons, I think even succulents dry well. Something to discuss with your local florist or nursery.
Using artificial plants or flowers in your apartment
For me I think that artificial plants work better than artificial flowers. In my apartment I have an artificial palm and ivy.
I’ve also used artificial plants in my hospitality design projects. Artificial flowers tend to look cheap and are poor quality.
The client I mentioned above had artificial chrysanthemums. These are classic flowers for Hampton’s style. But has she wanted a Luxe Contemporary look for her penthouse apartment, so these weren’t appropriate.
My rationale for being ok with artificial plants is that they are located at some distance from the people in the space.
Plants are usually situated in corners for example so during the normal flow of movement around a room a person may not come close the plant to be affected by or notice its artificial nature.
Instead from a distance an artificial plant can also add colour, texture, pattern and shadow to a space.
This might be a weird distinction between the difference between using artificial or dried flowers or plants but it seems to work for my own apartment, my clients and my photoshoots.
So if your apartment needs foliage I think it’s safe to add artificial plants in a pot that works with your interior style. And dried flowers in a vase that is in line with your style goal.
