What are your thoughts on artificial flowers?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I've got a large dresser next to my bed that really needs something on top. Often it has a vase of real flowers but I'm fed up with retrieving dropped petals etc. I've seen a lovely artificial display in a glass vase in John Lewis, but I've never been sure about artificial flowers. Trauma of one too many garish eighties bridesmaids bouquets I think. Can they work in a cosy, cottage interior? What alternatives might work?

Here's the vase...

I think they're horrible. Just an ugly dust trap. I would get a lovely potted plant that's low maintenance, like a succulent or aloe.

I thought I hated them. Until I got some and only have to lightly hoover them rather than replace regularly. Now think they’re great. Those you’ve linked to are lovely.

Hate them, although admittedly you can get nice enough ones now. I really like dried flowers (which seem to be trendy atm so quite easy to find), might that work?

www.bloompost.co.uk/flowers/bloomposy.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHAvBv3DLZdifYihJ9RmStoEustU2DVXKHJfq6mDrVLIhZdR-C4irUhoC1XMQAvD_BwE

Something like this

I like them - for £175 you can get good ones. You could also look at Oka, Sorrella Bloom on Etsy, Abigail Ahern or Amaranthine Blooms (I'll be interested to hear if any MNers have found other good suppliers).

Fair to say they split opinion. I'd not thought of dried flowers. They might work well in our house.

If you like them, that’s really all that matters!

I think a potted house plant would make a good alternative, especially if you can find a beautiful pot to put it in.

Personally I love the look of artificial plants etc as long as they are placed well and good quality they will freshen up an area and last a very long time

Oh I love those dried ones!

I've dried dark red roses and they've been lovely.

For £175 you could buy a lovely ornament.

I think the John Lewis ones look very nice, but personally I would stick to a fortnightly bunch of lilies from M and S for £6.

I have artificial flowers,one set in the kitchen, one set in the hallway and one set in the bedroom. It's much cheaper to buy the flowers individually on their own. Always have an odd number in the vase - this includes green foliage too. (If that's what it's called?!?) So for example...in my living room I have a vase with a total of 7 items in - 3 white Pom Pom flowers, 2 smaller yellow flowers and 2 green fern pieces.
The already arranged ones look do look lovely but I bought these pieces from Dunelm separately and it was much cheaper.
I also have an empty Jo Malone candle and placed 3 small artificial flowers in that.

To clean them...I fill the sink with fairy liquid and warm water...scoop out the suds and then dip the flowers in it and then leave them laid out to dry. (Mrs Hinch tip)

I do love fresh flowers too and always have a spare couple of vases for when I get those. 💐🌿

Nasty.
Why not go for a real plant, Pelargoniums are easy care and flower nearly all year if the dresser gets sunlight.

Or a nice shade plant like a snake plant or peace lily 👍

Artificial flowers never look good imo

I think they look naff and don't age well. Even expensive ones.

The main giveaway is that they are unseasonal... As soon as I enter a room with flowers I know if they are fake. The picture you have sent includes peonies which you can only buy for a couple of months in early summer- to me they would look weird for the entire rest of the year.

Dried flowers are what you want! Have a look on Etsy. I got a lovely bunch of autumnal flowers for the living room and they’ve looked great there for nearly 2 months now.

Dried flowers are what you want! Have a look on Etsy. I got a lovely bunch of autumnal flowers for the living room and they’ve looked great there for nearly 2 months now
Dried flowers are terrible Feng Shui in you are into that sort of thing (I am), hold the energy of death and decay.

@MrsJunglelow I haven’t found that at all