Tips For Making Faux Flowers Look Beautifully Real

The sheer and drastic shift in the whole look and feel of a space just having flowers there is undeniable. It’s a fact, a truth universally acknowledged. But the desire for such a space often clashes with the reality of maintaining real flowers. Now, there are faux flowers that have come a long way from their tacky origins.

Faux flowers can serve as a great backdrop on your wall, in a glass vase, or in any arrangements you choose, and no one will notice—unless they don’t look realistic.

That said, the newest faux flowers, such as the ones from Designer Vertical Gardens, can almost fool the naked eye. They look so real that you might actually forget they’re not the real thing.

But if you want to take them up a notch and make them even more convincing, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got some clever, not-so-obvious tips that’ll make your faux floral arrangements pop and leave your guests wondering if you've suddenly become a plant whisperer.

Alright, dear perfectionists, let’s get real.

Side Note: Don’t worry, no floral knowledge needed, just some savvy tips that’ll make those petals speak for themselves.

Tips For Making Faux Flowers Look Surprisingly Real

Here’s the deal: faux flowers might never fully replace the joy of real blooms, but they sure do come pretty close if you’re willing to put in a little extra effort. The key? Texture.

Faux flowers are all about texture and depth – they’re like the actors of the floral world; it’s all about the performance. And when done right, the performance is flawless.

The Secret Lies In The Stem

It’s easy to overlook, but the stem of the flower plays a huge role in whether it looks real or not. Fake flowers are often sold with a plastic or overly glossy stem, which instantly gives them away as artificial.

To trick the eye, you want something that looks like it’s been dipped in nature, not a factory.

• Look for stems with texture: Real plants have veins, bends, and imperfections. Faux flowers with smooth plastic stems are dead giveaways. Instead, look for ones with soft, natural-feeling stems, preferably in a matte finish. Something like Artificial Flowering White & Pink Peace Lily / Calla Lily Plant 50cm could be a great option.
• Change out the plastic stem with a real one: If you’ve already got faux flowers with a suspicious stem, try cutting it down and sticking it in a real branch or tall twig. The difference will be subtle but incredibly convincing. Nature doesn’t grow flowers with perfectly straight and shiny stems!
• Wrap your faux stems with real-looking floral tape: You can wrap the stems with textured floral tape or even real moss for an added touch of authenticity. The rustic feel of this will distract from the fakeness of the flowers themselves.

Add Some Real Foliage To The Mix

No flower is just standing alone in the wild. Even if it's the prettiest bloom, it’s still accompanied by greenery, vines, or some other form of foliage. So why not do the same with your faux arrangements?

• Combine faux flowers with real leaves: Mixing faux flowers with a few fresh leaves can distract from the artificiality of the flowers. The real greenery will provide an authentic touch, making the flowers appear even more natural.
• Use faux foliage carefully: If you’re going all-in with faux flowers, make sure the greenery looks just as good. Look for ones that have an organic feel – nothing too symmetrical or too perfect. Natural plants have leaves that don’t grow in neat rows!
• Trim the leaves: Sometimes, faux foliage looks way too perfect. Snip the edges of the leaves or fold them to break up the perfect shape. This works especially well for faux flowers in glass vases, as the stems and leaves are often visible.

Perfect Placement Is the Key

Okay, now you’ve got your faux flowers looking all grown up. But where you place them matters just as much as how they look. The last thing you want is a poorly positioned faux floral arrangement drawing attention to itself for all the wrong reasons.

• Avoid “in-your-face” placements: Placing a faux flower wall backdrop right in front of a window might not be the most flattering position for your blooms. Instead, consider spots with subtle lighting where they won’t be scrutinised too closely.
• Consider the height: In most real floral arrangements, the flowers are usually not the same height. Faux floral arrangements in a vase should have varying heights for a more organic and natural feel. Think about how flowers naturally grow – they rarely line up symmetrically.
• Shadow play: The way light hits flowers can make them appear more life-like. Play around with lighting in the space to see where shadows naturally fall on the flowers. This trick works especially well for faux flowers in glass vases, as the light bouncing off the glass enhances the textures of the flowers.

Add a Little Bit of Realness

Sometimes, the most obvious tip is the one people overlook. Adding small, natural elements around or in your faux flowers can trick the brain into thinking that the flowers are real.

• Dew droplets or water beads: Fake flowers in a glass vase sometimes need a touch of authenticity, and the perfect way to do this is with water beads or artificial dew droplets. You can buy spray products that mimic the effect of morning dew – and it gives them that fresh, just-watered look.
• Sprinkle in some actual soil or pebbles: A few small stones or soil mixed in the bottom of your faux flower arrangements makes them look much more grounded and natural. It adds texture and weight, which will make the entire arrangement seem more "lived in."

The Petals Need Love Too

Let’s not forget about the flowers themselves. If you’re serious about making your faux flowers look as real as possible, you need to show the petals some attention. Some faux flowers are made with fabric that doesn't quite look like real petals, but there are ways to enhance their texture.

• Use an iron for a more natural shape: If the petals are too flat, try steaming them or lightly ironing them to add some natural shape. Real flowers have bends and creases that give them that realistic look. A gentle press on the petals can make all the difference.
• Petal care: Use a bit of fabric softener to give the petals a softer, more natural feel. This will also reduce the shininess that is common with many faux flowers.

Final Touches That Make All The Difference

Now that you’ve mastered the basics let’s finish things off with a few extra clever tricks that’ll take your faux flowers from fake to fantastic.

• Dying the faux petals: It might sound strange, but if your faux flowers have an overly bright or unnatural colour, you can tone it down by using fabric dye. Subtle colours like soft pastels and earthy tones look much more convincing than the bold, uniform colours often used in faux flowers.
• Add a fragrance: The scent is the last piece of the puzzle. You don’t need to have real flowers to enjoy their fragrance. A few drops of essential oils on a cotton ball placed near your faux flowers will make the space smell as good as it looks.

Getting the Cleaning and Care Right

You have all the tips necessary to make them look as real as possible, but keeping them clean and protected is the basic, the base of it all. Use products like Home Safe Artificial Plants & Furniture UV Protection Spray 250ml to prevent colour fading caused by harsh UV rays. And opt for Eco Friendly Artificial Plant Cleaner / Fake Plant Cleanser when you want to clean them.

After all, they may be fake, but their cleanliness should be real!

In Conclusion

Faux flowers are no longer just a substitute for the real deal – they’re a high-quality alternative that can look just as impressive when treated with a little TLC. You can find plenty of beautiful faux flowers at Designer Vertical Gardens. And if you have come this far, you now know all the tips and tricks to keep them looking very real, too.

Now, get your hands on some gorgeous faux flowers and let your creativity bloom!