Bold Summer Colours – Photo Courtesy: Marcus T Ward
There is nothing like the summery scent of flowers on a gentle breeze when you are outside on a warm summer evening to make you feel like all is right with the world, but floral fragrances can actually have a very positive effect when used inside the home, too. In aromatherapy, certain flower smells are used to create a sense of relaxation or invigoration and in most fine fragrances, some flower essences are included in the blends that create those iconic perfumes we love. In the home, flowers can create an uplifting mood, make the place smell fresh and clean, and even help make guests feel welcome.
Here are some of the reasons to use flowers around the house, which flowers to use, and where to place them:
Why Decorate With Fresh Flowers
At any time, flowers give a great visual boost to a room, but in summer when fresh flowers are everywhere outside, they give a beautiful, natural, outdoorsy feel to your home that really compliments sunshine streaming in through your windows. They make people feel instantly more cheerful, and are easy to coordinate with your color scheme due to the many varieties available.
However, what flowers offer that no other decorative item does is their beautiful natural aromas. As long as you aren’t allergic to flowers, their pleasant fragrances will perfume a room without the unnatural undertones of an air freshener or scented candle. Some flowers, like lavender and lilac, are known for having relaxing properties in their aromas, whereas others like peony have sweet, pretty fragrances that are uplifting and invigorating.
Which Cut Flowers Have the Best Aromas to Use in the Home?
The beautiful Plumeria (common name Frangipani) – Plumeria flowers are most fragrant at night. Photo Courtesy: Barbara
There are lots of lovely, aromatic flowers that are well suited to being cut and displayed in the home, and it is really just a matter of taste which ones you like best. Some people love the strong smell of the lily, particularly the Casablanca lily which is one of the strongest smelling flowers in common use. It can perfume a whole room with a single bloom, but some people find this overpowering and opt for more delicate smelling flowers like peony or hyacinth.
Lavender is a popular choice in rooms where people go to relax, like a conservatory or even the bedroom, and roses and other edible flowers are great in the dining room where they complement, rather than clashing with, food smells.
Where Should I Display My Flowers?
Flowers in Rhea’s living room in Perth, Australia – Photo Courtesy: Rhea Lee
Flowers with very strong aromas should be used in large, well aired rooms where the smell can waft gently on the air without becoming stifling. You should also avoid overpowering smells like lily or chrysanthemum in the bedroom because they can give some people a slight headache when exposed to the strong fragrance for a long time. Other than that, flowers are good to display just about anywhere in the home, giving a cute, rustic look to kitchens, an elegant look to dining rooms and a fresh, bright look to living spaces and hallways.
Whether you buy them, receive them as a gift or cut them from your own garden, try displaying fresh, aromatic cut flowers around your home this summer and see how much joy they can bring to you, your family and your guests.
Today’s feature writer, Mathew Bing, is a designing expert and has a keen interest in home decor. He works with a wholesaler that sells flower vases. He suggests visiting their website to get some helpful ideas on interior design.
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