From pared back, natural colours, to dramatic mantel arrangements, I’ve put together a round up of the biggest floral trends set to rise in popularity in 2021.
It’s been a stressful year for everyone, two national lockdowns have seen us desperately searching for anything that can bring a little bit of cheer to our homes, and help break up the monotony of sitting within the same four walls day after day. We’re continuously being told to “slow down” although we’re all trying to do a million and one things at once, which puts slowing down and appreciating the small stuff all the way down to number 67 on our ‘To Do’ lists.
As a result of spending so much time in our homes, we’ve become so much more aware of the impact that feeling connected to nature can have on our health and wellbeing – reducing our stress levels and even boosting our creativity. We’ve realised that something as simple as adding a £1 bunch of daffs to the “big shop” can really help lift our spirits. It’s no surprise then that the flower subscription industry has seen explosive growth over the last twelve months – offering the convenience of having seasonal blooms delivered straight to your door, with the added bonus of simple step-by-step guides on how to cut, style and keep their expertly curated stems fresh.
Pampas is the new crack
Just like Andy’s “lumpy loose sweater” in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, that fashionably droopy bunch of tulips in this years must have H&M vase did not just accidentally find itself on your artfully curated mantle piece. Oh no, it was placed there, by your subconscious, like a seed waiting to grow into a beautiful and obscenely big pampas cloud that your other half will keep bumping their head on, while mumbling expletives over breakfast.
Similarly to the trends that influence the clothes that we wear, flower trends are constantly evolving. We are gently wooed by what we see in marketing, and social media for the types of flower types, varieties, colours, floral design styles and arrangements that give us “the feels” and they don’t even offer to split the bill at the end. You can try to rage against the advertising machine all you want, but short of burying yourself under a rock, on a deserted island, it’ll be much easier if you just come along for the ride…you’re at least sure to come out of the other side smelling of roses – just not the red ones.
I’ve put together a list of five of the biggest floral trends that are set to get your pulses racing in 2021 and make you want to get your vintage jugs out.
Sustainable British Blooms
Our newly localised way of living has unsurprisingly had a trickle-down effect on the flower industry, with the already growing trend for British flowers seeing a huge surge in popularity over the last 12 months.
According to Melissa Richardson, founder of Camberwell-based florist JamJar, florists are becoming more and more aware of their global footprint and its effect on the climate. She also points out, that with increasing concerns about climate change and the red tape and higher prices on flowers imported from Holland due to Brexit, there are much more opportunities for British growers.
Organic Blooms grow and sell seasonal British cut flowers – all of which are grown sustainably and without the use of artificial chemicals. They even achieved their Soil Association organic certification in February 2017! Not only are they kind to the environment, but they are also committed to giving something back – offering city and guilds training and work preparation for local people with disabilities and support needs.
As well as their beautiful, organic bunches of British blooms, (try saying that after you’ve had a few), they also sell a collection of ‘Annual Plug Plants‘ that you can plant in your garden and create your very own cutting garden. What a blooming wonderful idea!
Dried Flowers and Grasses
Another trend that has been gaining in momentum is dried flowers and grasses. Whether it’s elegant pampas grasses, angular palm leaves, delicate Linum and colourful Craspedia, they’re not showing any signs of stepping aside and passing on the flower crown just yet.
We’re not surprised they’re growing in popularity either – dried flowers by their very nature are long lasting, making them a much more sustainable option, they require zero maintenance, so they’re the perfect choice for busy people and they’re an absolute game changer for those of us that enjoy a bit of seasonal decorating. They can be stored away, and brought out on rotation throughout the year, without you even having to contemplate cutting stems on an angle or changing the water.
I’ve been a huge fan of Shida Preserved Flowers for a while now. Their flowers are harvested at the peak of their natural beauty and each bloom is perfectly preserved to feel soft and retain their beautiful, freshly-cut appearance. I have at least two of their bunches in our home, so I can confirm that they still look as fabulous as they day they arrived through the letterbox.
Colour Trends
The growing thirst for sustainability sourced products is even leaving it’s mark in the colours that we’re lusting after in 2021. Neutral and earthy, organic tones are proving popular according to traders at the New Covent Garden Flower Market. Traders have noticed an increase in demand for flowers in the colour palette of apricot, warm creams, through to toffee tones and even browns.
Popular rose choices in these shades are Sahara, Combo as pictured above, in addition to Camel, Cappuccino and Toffee varieties. Caramel Carnations, together with the Copper Extasis, are firm favourites too.
Lovers of the brighter side of the colour wheel need not panic, as on the opposite end of the spectrum, 70s inspired colour palettes is another top trend that’s taking the interiors and fashion industry by storm in 2021, and floral trends are no different. Taking inspiration from the decade of Flower Power the unapologetically loud and psychedelic colour combinations will have you screaming “yeah baby!”
I’m loving the vibrant and contrasting hues in this bouquet from Rebel Rebel.
Flower Clouds
We’ve been swooning over flower clouds for some time now. This floral trend, spearheaded by superstar florist, Mary Lennox, was made popular on the wedding circuit, before floating whimsically through to the interiors world. With easy to follow tutorials taking the Reel world by storm on Instagram, it’s never been easier to have a go at creating, what previously would have only been attempted by professional florists and stylists. These installations have been recreated by many an influencer on a lockdowner for their Christmas table or, for no special occasion what so ever, because no one was allowed to visit. Do not let it be said that they are not committed to the cause.
These pretty puffs of loveliness are constructed with just one or two kinds of soft, cloud-like florals and foliage, using either a foam brick and/or wire mesh. They’re a lot of fun to make and create quite the statement in a room…not to mention the epic sneezing fit.
Single Stems
From the flamboyant flower cloud shouting LOOK AT ME, to the understated and subtle trend of the single stem. We’ve seen lots of stylists and florists getting creative with single stem installations over the last few months, with feature walls and backdrops, dotted with rows of upside down individual blooms hanging from overhead, or suspended in rows, from a casually draped bit of rustic twine or ribbon.
Styling the stems in this way gives each of the blooms their moment to shine. It gives a room a wonderfully relaxed feel, and when done on a larger scale for an event, can create some serious wow factor!
Moon Gate Inspired Installations
I’m sorry, what now? What the heck is a moon gate when it’s at home, I hear you cry? Well, just like our trusty flower cloud, this floral showpiece has filtered its way down through the wedding trends and found its way into our homes – gently curving around our mantels and cupping our doorways with their majestic beauty.
No longer reserved for the likes of Elton John, or the contents of Monty Don’s bonfire (if you’ll excuse me recycling one of my old jokes), anything goes with these magnificent specimens – in fact, the bigger, the better. Throw in all of the twigs, foliage and blooms you can forage, and just have fun with it.
You can keep them tonal if you want to turn down the volume or embrace the contrast for a full on carnival of the senses. The key to making a moon gate or crescent moon installation is to gently curve or climb the floral arrangement around a feature within the room, to create a statement and make a real feature out of it.
We saw a huge increase in this trend at Christmas 2020, with half crescent moon gates popping up on mantels all over the country…including this old thing below.
That’s our little attempt at a half crescent moon gate Installation – made from foraged foliage and dried flowers found in our local Epping Forrest. You can read more about how we made this in a previous blog post.
For those of you that can count, you may realise that there were actually six trends in this blog post, but I was having way too much fun to stop at five so let’s just keep that between you and me. After-all, what’s an extra floral trend between friends?
So, do you love the single stem trend or is your head stuck firmly in the pampas cloud? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
For more tips and advice on how to introduce biophilic design principles into your home and garden, you can read Marianna’s new book ‘At Home with Nature‘.
