Sometimes it seems like a vase is the simplest thing, and completely unremarkable. You buy it, set it down, put some flowers in it, and it looks nice. But something still feels off, and this is exactly where many people go wrong. An improperly chosen vase visually clutters the surface and disrupts the room’s overall balance. A vase is also an important decorative element that adds character and functions as a full-fledged decorative object (even without a single flower inside!).
We at Home and Soul Dubai have long noticed that vases are most often bought “on a whim,” and people usually end up regretting it. One that’s too small gets lost on a large console table, while one that’s too large feels overwhelming in a compact apartment. And trust us, even the vase’s material matters.
To help you avoid mistakes, we’ll guide you on choosing the right size, which materials work best in UAE interiors, how to display vases with flowers, dried flowers, or even empty vases, and which shapes suit which styles. The main rule to remember: the key to choosing the right flower vase is ensuring that its size, material, and shape match the space where it will be placed.
Vase Size Guide: How to Get the Proportions Right
The most common mistake when buying a vase is choosing one that’s too small (even though we made this mistake when we first started). You see a beautiful ceramic vase, pick it up, bring it home, and it just gets lost on a large console table or dining table. It looks like someone forgot to put it away, rather than placing it there on purpose.
There’s a simple rule of proportion that always works: the vase should take up about one-third of the height of the surface it stands on. This creates visual balance.
How this works in practice:
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Dining table or console table. Here, you need a tall vase or a floor-standing option that maintains verticality and anchors the space.
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Shelf or bedside table. It’s better to choose compact ceramics or a small vase that works as part of a group with other items.
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A corner of the room or the entryway. A large-format floor vase is ideal, filling the vertical space without creating unnecessary visual clutter.
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Coffee table. Choose a medium-sized vase, either on its own or paired with a book and a candle.
An important context for the UAE: high ceilings and large, open floor plans are common in most Dubai apartments and villas. Here, scale is perceived differently than in small European apartments. A large vase in a spacious villa entryway looks organic and appropriate. The same vase in a compact studio would feel overwhelming and create a sense of cramped space. Therefore, always assess the room’s scale, not just its surface area. Take a look at our vase collection and choose the one that’s perfect for you in terms of size and style.
Large and Floor Vases: Making a Statement in Dubai Interiors
If you want a single decorative element that truly transforms a room’s atmosphere, it’s a floor vase: one object, no fuss, maximum impact.
The best spots for large-format vases:
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Entrance hall - the first thing guests see. A large vase here immediately sets the tone for the entire home.
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A corner of the living room - fills a space that’s difficult to decorate otherwise.
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Next to the TV unit or fireplace - creates symmetry or a deliberate focal point.
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On either side of the doorway - a classic architectural technique that works in any style.
In Dubai interiors with high ceilings, a floor vase is often the most effective standalone decorative piece. It fills the vertical space, creates no visual clutter, and requires no filling (yes, this is exactly the kind of vase you can leave without flowers).
The most popular styles of large vases right now are woven from natural fibers, matte white or terracotta ceramics, and sculptural organic forms. And you know what? We have vase Dubai options in various sizes and materials so that you can make the best purchase for your needs.
Small Vases: Grouping, Layering, and Shelf Styling
Small vases work quite differently from large ones. Their strength lies not in a single statement piece but in a well-thought-out group. A single small vase on a shelf looks a bit boring. But if you place three identical ones, it becomes a design statement.
The rule of odd numbers works flawlessly here: three or five vases of varying heights always come across as an intentional composition. Add a candle, a book, and a natural element - and the shelf turns into a small installation.
A few techniques we use ourselves:
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Mix heights - a tall small vase, a medium-sized one, and a very short bowl create visual rhythm.
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Leave space between objects - closely arranged items look like clutter; spaced-out items look like decor.
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Use a single material or color as the unifying element of the group.
For a dining table, a compact flower vase in the center is the perfect solution: it adds life and color without interfering with conversation across the table or blocking people’s views. You can also complement it with other decorative objects to create a visually beautiful arrangement.
Vase Materials: What Works Best in UAE Homes
The material of a vase isn’t just about appearance. In the UAE, it’s also about practicality. Let’s be honest about each one:
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Ceramic vase. The most versatile choice, and for good reason. Matte ceramic fits perfectly into boho and organic interiors, while glossy ceramic works well in modern and contemporary settings. Ceramic vase works equally well with fresh flowers, dried flowers, and even empty - simply as a sculptural object. It’s our personal favorite for most spaces.
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Terracotta. Warm, earthy, and very vibrant to the touch. Right now, terracotta is the most popular material in natural Dubai interiors. It pairs beautifully with dried botanical elements, linen, and rattan. If you have a neutral interior with natural textures, a terracotta vase will look perfect. Plus, they come in unique shapes, like the Margot Ceramic Vase or the Orla Ceramic.
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Glass flower vase. An excellent choice for minimalist and Scandinavian spaces. The transparent design lets the flowers take center stage. One important note for Dubai: during the hot season, water in a glass vase with fresh flowers heats up faster - change it every two days. You can also consider vases made of colored glass. Our options include: yellow, green, blue, pink, and even orange.
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Woven vases made of natural fiber. They add organic texture and serve as purely decorative objects - no flowers needed. They look great in boho and coastal styles - Kalani, Savana, Palma - our unique new arrivals for your interior.
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Concrete. Modern, sculptural, very distinctive. Perfect for minimalist and industrial interiors.
And a practical point, especially important for the UAE: matte and textured surfaces accumulate less visible dust than glossy ones. In a region where dust settles constantly, this makes them much easier to maintain.
How to Style a Vase: With Flowers, Dried Stems, and Without
Now for the most interesting part - how to style a vase after you buy it. Three approaches, each with its own logic:
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With fresh flowers
This works best with glass vases where the water is visible - it’s part of the aesthetic. An important point for Dubai’s climate: in the heat, water spoils faster than in Europe. Change the water every two days and trim the stems - the flowers will last much longer. Fresh flowers in a flower vase bring an instant sense of freshness and life to any space.
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With dried flowers
Our absolute favorite for Dubai interiors. Pampas grass, eucalyptus, cotton, and lagurus - they require no maintenance, last for months, and suit virtually any style currently popular in the UAE. Dried flowers in a tall ceramic vase or terracotta vase - that’s the very look from Pinterest you want to recreate at home. And it’s really easy to do.
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Empty
A sculptural ceramic or woven floor vase doesn’t need any contents at all. Its shape and texture are the decoration. This is perhaps the most underrated approach: people often feel obligated to put something in a vase, even though a beautiful empty object works just as well.
About color: the vase doesn’t have to match the room’s color scheme, but it should either intentionally contrast with or belong to the same color family as the room. A terracotta vase against a white wall is a classic contrast that always works. A white ceramic vase on a white shelf adds tonal depth without any unnecessary clutter.
Cushions, textiles, and other decorative objects from our collection pair well with vases, making it easy to create a cohesive look.
Choosing a Vase by Interior Style
Finally, how does all this work in the specific styles we most often see in Dubai homes:
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Boho and natural style. Woven vases made of natural fibers, terracotta, and rough, textured ceramics. Arrange them in odd-numbered groups, fill them with pampas grass or eucalyptus. More textures, more layers - this is a style that loves depth.
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Scandinavian and minimalist. A single tall vase in matte white or sage green, a single stem, a clean surface all around. No fuss, just clean lines and space. The flower vase serves as a sculpture here.
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Coastal style. White ceramic or glass, bleached dry stems, with seashells or nautical elements nearby. Light, fresh, simple. Exactly what’s needed for Dubai’s climate and seaside lifestyle.
Every vase we select for Home and Soul Dubai passes through a single filter: will it fit well in a UAE interior? In terms of scale, material, and style. That’s exactly why it’s easy to find something in our collection vase Dubai that will find its place right away - without a long search or unnecessary experimentation. We deliver throughout Dubai and the UAE. Stop by - we’d love to help you find exactly what your space needs.
