Designers Say These Craft-Store Staples Will Replace Dried Flowers

It seems like dried flowers, quite literally, are the home decor trend that will never die — but designers say there are a few indicators that this style might be on its way out soon. 

Dried florals are a low-maintenance way of keeping florals in your home without having to replace them every week. Although they can come with a hefty upfront cost, they’re surprisingly a lot more budget-friendly in the end. “I think dried flowers became popular as an alternative to fresh flowers because of the sheer expense of having to replace them,” says Alex Bass, the founder and CEO of Art Advisory & Interior Design Studio Salon 21. 

And while I don’t think they’ll ever fully go away, I’ve been seeing some twists on the traditional dried real flowers that are getting me excited — and designers are equally into these new variations. 

 “People are realizing that dried flowers are really just dust collectors,” Bass says, especially because they’re impossible to clean without leaves and petals flaking off. While some dried flowers don’t shed as much, many popular wildflower varieties have tiny, delicate petals that fall everywhere if you so much as breathe in their direction. 

As a Reiki Master, I also always consider the energy of an object before bringing it into my home as a piece of decor. Because dried flowers are, well, dead, they just don’t breathe life into a space like fresh florals can. Bass and I agree on this, too; she explains that “there is no replacement for the beauty of fresh flowers in the home and how they make you feel,” even if that means a bit of sticker shock at the florist and farmers market.

If you’re not into fresh blooms, there are other options still. Bass shared a few of her favorite fresh “picks” (pun intended!) below.