In recent seasons, a vase has been one of the most fashionable interior accessories. The trend for omnipresent plants has meant that evergreen leaves and twigs are now commonly displayed in glass vessels. Meanwhile, a few tulips or carnations on the dining table definitely put you in a positive mood. It is also worth having a wide vessel on hand for abundant bouquets, given on anniversaries, birthdays, and other festive occasions. What types of vases are worth having at home and for what purpose?
Classic vases for spring bouquets
Nowadays, cut flowers associated with spring – tulips, carnations, daffodils, or small roses – can be bought in almost every supermarket. They perfectly fit all medium-sized vases. The most important thing is that the upper part is narrow enough for the bouquet to stand upright and for the buds to touch each other.
Both simple, square, and rounded, as well as tapering or gently flaring vessels will work great here. In crystal clear glass, they will be an ideal decoration in Scandinavian or glamour-style interiors. Tinted vases, on the other hand, will add charm to eclectic or boho arrangements.
If one of the stems breaks or a single flower is significantly smaller than the others, it can be removed from the bouquet and placed in a mini flagon. There is nothing to prevent it from being placed in a darker spot, e.g., in the hall or in an east-facing room, to bring a cheerful atmosphere there as well.
For single roses, asymmetric flacons work perfectly. They are usually quite long, and their shape alone is impressive. Together with a romantic bud, they will form an elegant composition, constantly reminding of the giver.
Stable vases with thick bases for ceremonial bouquets
Some bouquets are astonishing. This applies not only to those carefully arranged for a wedding but also those given as a gift on birthdays, name days, anniversaries, or the birth of a child. To ensure they last a long time after the event, remove the tissue paper and other unnecessary decorations, and cut off excess leaves below 1/3 of the stem's height. Then, trim the green ends diagonally, make longitudinal cuts in woody stems, immerse them in boiling water for 10 seconds, and immediately transfer them to clean, cold water – preferably with aspirin added the first time. The water should be changed to clean, cool water at least once a day, and the vase should be thoroughly rinsed to eliminate bacteria that promote wilting. Also, remove decaying leaves or fallen buds – all these treatments will ensure that any eye-pleasing bouquet lasts even 3-4 weeks!
For such bouquets, the vase must be chosen very carefully. It must stand stably, and its shape should not detract from the flowers – it is better to opt for symmetrical vessels. The best choice will be heavier, medium-height vases with a wide, flat base and thicker walls. They can be rounded or square, also with a characteristic rim on which green leaves will rest. Those that widen upwards provide better stability – simply loosen the ribbon or string slightly so that the flowers spread out a little and evenly rest their weight against the glass walls.
Tall vases for catkins, young branches, Christmas trees
Throughout the year, by filling vases with various plants, you can create impressive thematic decorations. In many homes, a traditional Easter custom is gathering catkins, also known as "kittens," or young branches with green leaf buds. Artificial painted eggs with ribbons or other thematic decorations can be hung on them once they are in the vessel. The situation is analogous in winter. Cut spruce branches with lights and baubles can easily replace a Christmas tree in a small apartment or, conversely, bring a festive mood to every room!
In this case, the vase must also be very stable. For example, you can choose a tall vessel, several dozen centimeters high, to place the decoration on the floor. For many branches, especially rich or ornate ones, both the bottom and top of the vase should be wide. When opting for a few light catkins or stems, you can choose long and slender ones, in which the plants will look exquisite and elegant. An original idea would also be to place 2-3 narrow branches in a round, bulbous vase with a narrow neck. If they don't need water, they can be weighted down with decorative stones.
For occasional decorations, it's also worth considering painted glass. Red or pink colors will emphasize the Christmas spirit. Green or yellow, on the other hand, will themselves form an Easter table decoration.
Narrow vases or carafes for evergreen leaves
With the trend for eco-friendly interiors, ideas for decorations using only one green element in a glass vase have emerged. This could be, for example, a bamboo stem or a monstera, eucalyptus, or philodendron leaf, which can be bought in almost any flower shop. However, it is important to remember that in this case, the vessel must be filled with water.
For the forgetful and busy, artificial flowers will be an excellent solution. Many stunning, unnatural green plants made, for example, from fabric can be bought online, from which you only need to dust them off occasionally. The same applies to bouquets of dried grasses or wild flowers, which can be a great decoration for darker rooms. Their advantage is also the possibility of filling the vessel below the stems with LED lights, which create a pleasant atmosphere.
When choosing a vase for evergreen plants, the only limitations are imagination and... the color of the glass. Crystal clear and colorless glass forms the basis of the entire composition. For artificial, light decorations, it can be both a small, delicate flagon and a taller, tapering one. A good idea here would also be to use... glass carafes or decanters. Heavier plants, such as bamboo, require thicker glass for the vessel to stand stably. On the other hand, single and narrow ones will look original in combination with an asymmetrical vase shape. Vessels with a very large circumference at the top can be a bit overwhelming in combination with a delicate branch – nevertheless, it is worth trying such a composition too!
Not just plants
A vase can also be used in many other ways. To create an extraordinary decoration, it's better to choose a large-capacity vessel – gently tapering or widening upwards. The diameter "at the entrance" must allow the chosen objects to be placed inside. It's also important that they are made of clear glass so that you can look inside the captivating composition. What can be found in such a vase?
You can simply pour stones inside, cover them with a little potting soil, and then plant succulents. These undemanding plants will survive even in a darker bathroom! In autumn, the vase can be filled with pine cones, acorns, or chestnuts, placing LED lights on wires among them. In winter, baubles can be placed inside, in spring painted eggs, and in summer seashells collected by the sea. An interesting idea for an evergreen decoration is also to place pieces of reindeer moss in the vessel, also accompanied by lights.
A smaller vase can also be filled with water – after placing weighted decorations in it – with a floating candle or tealight on top. This versatile vessel can be used in many ways – so it's worth having several different types of vases in your home.