I have a fetish for flower vases. I love them big or small, coloured or plain-of different shapes and sizes just name it. Last week I was out and about and passed by Rubangura’s building and wow! What do I see?

A shop that I have never known exists with very beautiful decoration items, but what made me take a step into the shop were  the beautiful vases on display.

Some of these vases are so beautiful that they do not even need flowers in them, just to have them stand on their own can also create a unique feature in the house.

Decorating with vases can add elegance or charm to a room if there is enough space to adequately house the vase. Vases can fill large empty spaces or corners in a decorative manner.

They also draw attention to other items in the room, such as furniture or paintings. Vases can be filled with dried flowers that hold sentimental value or ones that complement the vase.

Vases magnify the beauty of flowers and leave a lasting impression to people who admire them. Decorative vases provide unexplainable elegance that adds style and grace to your home. Vases come in various materials and craftsmanship.

If you are a fan of fresh flowers, or just like adding decorative touches to your home, then a nice vase can be the way to go. Vases come in all shapes, sizes and colours, and can match almost any motif. Learn a little bit about the different types of vases you can use to help give your home your own personal touch.

Glass

Glass vases can pull off a variety of looks. For a simple, classic appeal, you can take a thin-flute glass vase and arrange with four or five tulips or roses. If you are going for a funky look, try filling your glass vase with odds and ends like coloured stones or artificial berries to be displayed and seen clearly through the glass.

Crystal

For a more expensive and elegant look, crystal vases are the way to go. Crystal vases are usually cut with a beautiful design in them and can really sparkle when put in an area of sunlight in the home. They are typically filled with long-stem roses or other elegant flowers.

Clay

Clay vases can be fun to play around with because there are so many options. You can find them in tall, short, thin or wide styles and in a variety of colours. If you find a clay vase you love, you can even paint over it with acrylic latex paint and add your own personal flair to the vase.

Beaded

Beaded vases are funky vases that are made by taking a wire frame and adding intricate beading around it. Beaded vases may be a little harder to find, but you can try thrift shops, trendy décor stores or look online. Fake flowers are best for beaded vases, as they can’t hold liquids. Or you could fill them with objects like artificial fruits and vegetables, coloured stones or potpourri.

Metal

Metal vases are a bit more intricate and expensive, and have more of an antique look to them. Metal vases are typically higher end because most will have some sort of detailed design engraved on them in gold or silver. You can find these at antique stores, estate sales or at some décor stores. They have an added advantage in that they are less prone to breaking should an accident occur.

It is also very important to determine where in the room a vase would add to the decor. There two types of vases; floor vase and table vase. For example floor vases can decorate empty corners, hallways, verandas, floor space next to a wall unit or near a staircase. A table vase of course is always placed on a table. 

Also, when choosing a vase, always choose a vase that complements your room’s decor and colour scheme. An intricate, antique vase would look out of place in a contemporary room just as a simple vase might be understated in a highly decorated Victorian room.

One can place the vase in a room or corner of your choice. Look at it from all angles of the room to make sure it has the effect you want.

Vases can be decorated just as they are on their own, or one can fill the vase with dried grass or branches, then add dried flowers. The flowers should be proportionate to the size of the vase.

For example, large sunflowers would look awkward in a small, slender vase. For smaller flowers in large vases, use a larger quantity. Again, view the arrangement from all angles in the room, and adjust as necessary.

Decorating with vases puts life into your home; your visitors will love them- and with little effort your home decor and ambience will change for the better.

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