How beautiful is all the spring growth right now? There are so many shapes, scents and vivid colours on display thanks to Mother Nature working her magic. It’s amazing how much difference a large-scale seasonal arrangement can make in your home and they are surprisingly quick and easy to make, so get creative and prepare to forage!

This week I styled a photo shoot for a recently completed house I was lucky enough to do the interior design for. I like to think of styling as adding that lifestyle layer – little moments that make a house seem more welcoming and lived in. One of the easiest ways to do this is by bringing in nature. While florals are stunning, I’ve been inspired to use branches instead thanks to the abundance of new spring growth.

I like using branches because they’re imperfectly shaped so they add a certain natural charm to your interior. Because they’re from trees it’s easier to create a large-scale arrangement that can become a real focal point in your home. There are so many varieties that you can select shapes and colours that work with the style of your home - some favourites of mine are oak, blossoms, berries, magnolia, dried willow, maple and hydrangea. And most importantly they’re free!

Branch Arrangement Inspiration

Image credits from left-right: Kelly Wearstler, NgLp Designs, NgLP Designs, Athena Calderone, Shelley Ferguson Studio, Vogue Australia, all via Pinterest.

Tips for styling with Spring branches

Look for branches in colours that suit the aesthetic you are trying to create. Rustic red suits moody interiors and contrasts beautifully with dark colours. Coastal interiors look great with arrangements in more sandy tones like you’d find on the beach. Bright spring greens look gorgeous in a light, bright, white interior.
Look at the shapes of different branches and their leaves. I like branches that are spread out rather than tightly packed, as the leaf shapes stand out more and you can see through the arrangement rather than it being a solid shape. Big, structural leaves look best as they have scale and shape, rather than a branch with lots of tiny leaves that can look a bit cluttered.
Once you’ve got your branches, spread them out on the ground to assess where they need shaping or clipping. In areas that are too dense I’ll often strip out the smaller, finer branches so the overall arrangement has more movement and negative space around the leaves, making the shapes stand out more. Also clip the lower branches off so placing pieces in a vase is easier.
You’ll need a large vessel that’s heavy enough to prevent toppling over, and with an opening that can accommodate several branches. When you place the branches keep the arrangement asymetrical rather than trying to achieve a perfect shape – branches have naturally organic, random shapes so roll with it!