Small is beautiful: Mini vases

Create your own mini vases for small flowers and single stems

Forget huge, lavish, formal flower displays – and let the single-stem arrangement take centre stage. It’s sweet, it’s simple – and with the right choice of vase it can really make a statement.

A quick scroll through the latest, on-trend wedding blogs will show you that even nearly-weds are eschewing traditional table centrepieces at the reception in favour of single stems in vintage bottles and jars.

And whether you’re brightening up your home or decorating a wedding venue, you don’t need to fork out a fortune to create the look. Fewer flowers are required and miniature and single-stem vases are simple to make, with a little imagination. Here are a few of our favourite ideas… 

Miniature alcohol and perfume bottles

Raid the mini bar and use a combination of miniature spirit bottles and perfume bottles in a variety of different colours and shapes to create a whimsical display of flowers for your home. Keep the labels on for an edgy-meets-pretty look. Don't these white irises look lovely? 

Test tubes

Science meets nature with a DIY test tube vase with reclaimed wood base, simply drill holes the size of your test tubes into your reclaimed wood and place them into the holes. Elegant alstroemeria looks fantastic showcased individually. Add some boho-chic to your test tubes with bead decorations or add a splash of colour with some washi tape. 

Nail polish bottles

Put your old nail polish bottles to good use by giving them a good clean, spray painting them (choose neon brights, pretty pastels or metallic shades) and filling with tiny flowers, such as forget-me-nots and daisies.

Let the flowers do the talking

You can easily create an eye catching display with a range of stunning colourful blooms by arranging single stems in all white glass and ceramic vases. Play with the spacing with collections of individual blooms partnering with bigger vases. You could even give some old jars a lick of fresh white paint to create your own. 

Salt shakers

Vintage bottles make beautiful place card holders for wedding guests. But forget trawling pricey antique markets – old salt shakers ooze vintage charm when teamed with pretty blooms, such as freesias and ranunculus.