How to Style Supermarket Flowers So They Look Like They Cost a Fortune
- Anna Tomkins
- Nov 7
- 4 min read
Let’s be honest: we’ve all stood in the supermarket queue, eyeing up those cheerful bouquets by the till and thinking, “They’re cute, but they’ll never look like the ones in the fancy florist’s window.” Well, I’m here to tell you they absolutely can — and for a fraction of the price. All it takes is a few styling tricks, a bit of editing, and maybe a small vase or two.
The Secret Garden (Aisle 7 Edition)
You might not realise it, but UK supermarkets are secretly floral treasure troves. Most big names - Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl, Waitrose, and M&S - stock a rotating cast of flowers that rival what you’d find at the market (just in slightly less romantic packaging).
Here’s what you’ll usually spot:
Roses - the eternal crowd-pleasers. Available all year and in every mood: from Valentine red to millennial blush.
Alstroemeria - the overachievers of the bouquet world. They last forever (well, almost two weeks) and come in gorgeous shades of pink, coral, and cream. It took me a while to understand what to do with them!!
Chrysanthemums and Carnations - budget-friendly, sturdy, and criminally underrated. However, they need a good vase!
Tulips – a spring classic that looks effortlessly chic in a simple glass vase.
Daffodils – cheerful little sunbeams that scream British springtime.
Lilies – bold, sculptural, and fragrant (just remember to snip those pollen stamens before they stain your table).
Lizzies or Lysanthiums, come in white pink and blue and are available for most of the year
(However, I have never found a good way to style Gerberas... sorry!)
Think Seasonally (and Save a Fortune)
Supermarkets usually stock what’s in season — which is great news for your wallet and your vase. Spring means tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths; summer brings peonies and sunflowers and the wonderful gladioli that go from July to October; autumn leans into chrysanthemums; and winter gives you roses and evergreens.
Buying seasonal flowers not only looks more natural (and Instagram-worthy), but also means they’ll last longer because they haven’t been flown halfway around the world to reach your trolley.
Go Monochrome for Maximum Impact
If you want to make a supermarket bouquet look expensive, the easiest trick is to pick a single colour palette.Instead of the mixed bunch that looks like a party in a vase, buy two or three bunches in similar shades, say, blush pinks or creamy whites and mix them together. Suddenly, your £8 bouquet looks like something straight out of Soho Home.
Small Vases, Big Style
One big vase of flowers can look a little “meh” if it’s not styled well but break that same bunch into smaller vases, and you’ll instantly have a more curated, designer feel. Cluster three little bud vases on your coffee table, pop one in the bathroom, and another by your bed. It’s like your home suddenly had a floral glow-up.
Pro tip: supermarkets often sell small bunches of filler flowers (like gypsophila or eucalyptus). Use these to add texture or soften the look without spending more than a few extra pounds, however, some plain blooms without the foliage work just as well.
Here are some mini vases that are so cute. I would suggest looking in-store for those cute mini vases (your local charity shop might also be your friend here as they sometimes have individual random pieces, ideal as there is no urgent need for a set). Shopping in-store means you save in shipping, as these mini vases cost so little in themselves.
This one is great because you can't see slimy water in this, the detail is great and it will give you tons of joy and all of that for less than the price of a large latte!!
Dunelm Organic Twist Ceramic Bud Vase
If your home is kept in neutrals, these green vases are a total winner and as shown here, a tiny stem of eucalyptus gets you a long way and if it dries out it is still pretty! Also, all sorts of colour will pop in these!
Burrow and Nest: Set Of 3 Pressed Glass Bottle Vases Amelie - Forest Green
Being rrealistic, we all buy from Amazon and these Sass and Belle mini bud vases are affordable and are all sproting different shapes. The brown colour gives them a nice an "earthy"
Amazon Sass an Belle Mini vases set of 3
And here is one vintage option that has so much personality, is totally affordable and could be from your great-aunt:
2 Aynsley Pembroke Bud Vases 16cm and 14cm high, found on Ebay:
Make Your Bouquet Go the Distance
When the larger flowers start to fade, don’t toss the whole lot out. Trim what’s still fresh - often the smaller stems and greenery hang on longe and pop them into little jam jars or mini vases. This gives your bouquet a second life and helps you enjoy your flowers for another few days.
You can even take one or two statement blooms (like a single rose or lily) and display them solo for a minimalist, sculptural look.
Would you like to gift supermarket flowers to a friend?
Skip the supermarket cellophane and rewrap your flowers in a bit of brown paper or a linen napkin - you’ll be amazed how much more “florist” they feel. You can use your own cellophane and maybe put a velvet bow around the stems...
✨ In short: with a little editing, some thoughtful arranging, and a few small vases, supermarket flowers can look every bit as luxurious as a £60 bouquet. And the best part? You can pick them up along with your milk and bananas.
Would you like me to tailor the tone slightly more towards home décor / lifestyle blogger (so it fits seamlessly into a blog), or keep this slightly chatty-magazine tone?
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