Fake flowers are blooming!
In recent years, artificial flowers have evolved beyond all recognition. They were once considered ‘the cheap alternative’ to real blooms and were usually poor quality and very unrealistic in appearance. Today’s faux flowers are top-quality and crafted using elevated craftsmanship. Because of the fast pace of life and people’s desire to be as environmentally friendly as possible, faux flowers of all descriptions are trending and their use in restaurants, bars, hotel receptions and other commercial spaces, is being championed by interior designers. The positive benefits of using faux flowers in the home too is also being showcased.
The recent renaissance in the popularity of fake flowers was triggered by the arrival of ‘flower walls’ in several high-end restaurants in London’s West End. These colourful flower walls – along with opulent floral and lush greenery garlands – soon became a popular backdrop for selfies in social media. Several key social influencers on Instagram also suddenly started including photos in their blogs depicting lush artificial floral displays in the background and suddenly faux flowers of all kinds were the new ‘must have’.
China produces 60% of the world’s artificial flowers; with 33% of the products being sold in European countries. The artificial flowers available on the market range from cheap plastic varieties to quality realistic versions that are hard to distinguish from the ‘real thing’. A high number of these fake blooms are created using cutting edge sustainable technology. The outlook for the artificial flower market is certainly blooming!
“The Global Artificial Flower market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2023 to 2029. In 2023, the market is growing at a steady rate, and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.”
- Taken from ‘Artificial Flower Market Emerging Trends: A Detailed Study on Challenges and Opportunities 2023-2030’ which was published on LinkedIn, 12 September, 2023
The same report also outlines how the value of the artificial flower market is expected to increase in the next few years- The global Artificial Flower market was valued at USD 2017.5 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 2718.5 million by 2029.
The increasing number of festivals around the world will boost the demand for artificial flowers and greenery and this in turn will encourage new small and medium-sized producers to start manufacturing top quality and sustainable artificial flowers to help meet the growing demand. Artificial flower designers are also being encouraged by the increasing sales figures to design new and exciting products. In the last few years, a major innovation in the industry was the innovation of ‘real touch technology’. Faux flowers and greenery are created using the clever use of texture and colour to make them look and feel as life-like as possible. One Dutch designer has recently designed a variety of artificial flowers for the garden that converts rainwater into sugar water, providing a food source for insect pollinators including moths, butterflies and bees.
With an increasing demand for sustainable products, eco-friendly artificial flowers are being sought by the eco-conscious who are concerned by environmental issues such as deforestation and carbon footprints. A large number of artificial plants are now being produced using sustainable materials. The added advantage is that faux flowers not only look incredibly realistic, they are durable and long-lasting and do not have to be replaced every couple of weeks like their fresh counterparts. Exotic fresh flowers that have to be grown in greenhouses and then air-freighted to other countries are very expensive and not surprisingly, have an undesirably-sized carbon footprint.
Interior designers are creatively using artificial flowers to decorate a wide range of commercial spaces including hotel receptions, restaurants, bars and showrooms. Beautiful artificial floral displays are also proving the ideal way to decorate hair and beauty salons- both indoors and outside. Artificial flowers are quick and easy to install, take minimal maintenance and elevate all types of interior design. Specialists in top-range faux flowers, such as BloomsArt in London, offer help to their customer in designing suitable arrangements for all types of spaces. This service is proving popular to those who are investing in artificial flowers for the first time – and the results are very impressive.
Faux flowers are also proving an increasingly popular choice for all types of family celebrations as they are versatile, long-lasting and can be kept and enjoyed for many years to come. For the first time, faux flowers are also becoming a popular gift idea for friends and family – to give for a special occasion such as a birthday, or as a pretty seasonal gift such as springtime flowers for Easter.
As the trend for artificial flowers gathers momentum, there will be various innovations appearing in the market. The latest has been the introduction of faux plants and flowers that can be used to mark the changing seasons. Springtime flowers proved extremely popular this year and already interior designers are planning how they can use leaves in autumnal colours and how they can incorporate faux mushrooms and acorns in their displays for Autumn. Seasonal items for Christmas will include fake pine branches and eucalyptus stems plus cones, holly and red berries. Many prestigious places like the Royal Opera House are now using artificial flowers which are adjusted as the seasons pass. Artificial flowers are also being used in Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.
No doubt there will be many exciting ideas for customising floral displays that will come to market in the forthcoming months. …
