How to Decorate With Blooming Orchids

Asymmetry draws the eye for a bold decorative effect.

Orchids have long been considered a highly desirable decorative flower, whether cultivated in gardens or potted indoors. Take advantage of your orchids by putting them in a setting that will vividly highlight their delicacy, color and the natural arrangement of the stems and flowers. By applying a few basic design principles regarding form, color, contrast and balance, you can draw attention to your orchids by creating a visual composition that incorporates room, pot, stems and blossoms.

Things You'll Need

• Decorative pot
• Ribbon (optional)

Instructions

1. Choose a backdrop that allows the color and shape of your orchids to stand out. A patterned or textured backdrop will make it hard to see the details of the orchid clearly, so choose a backdrop decorated with a solid color. A white or pale background will flatter brightly colored orchids, while a colored curtain or accent wall will help white flowers stand out.

2. 

   A color wheel or paint swatches can help you visualize the effect of different color combinations.

   Select a pot with a color that ties together the color of the orchids with the color of the room. For a harmonious effect, choose colors that are near each other on the color wheel, such as a purple pot to tie together violet-colored blossoms with a scarlet accent wall. For a bold effect, use contrasting colors that are nearly opposite each other on the color wheel, such as red orchids in a blue pot that matches the blue curtains.

3. 

   A pot that is too large for your orchids can "bury" them, making them look like an afterthought.

   Select a pot whose size is equal to or slightly smaller than the orchid plant to create a balanced effect that emphasizes the blossoms. Arrange the flowers so that the shape of the pot, stems and blossoms creates a coherent whole, with no unnecessary protrusions or abrupt shifts in size or shape.

4. Tie a soft satin ribbon around the pot to add a complementary highlight, if desired. The ribbon can be an intermediate color between the colors of the pot and the blossoms or, if you chose a high-contrast look, may complement the color of the backdrop while contrasting with the pot.

References

• Digital Photography School: Using Focal Points in Photography
• Cornell University: Principles of Design

Resources

• The Orchid Whisperer: Photo Gallery and Investment