A vase sitting empty on a shelf is a missed opportunity. The right ceramic vase, styled well, can carry a whole tabletop or shelf on its own, with or without flowers in it.
Here's how to pick one and actually style it, instead of just buying flowers and jamming them in.
Start With the Shape, Not the Flowers
Every vase has a personality before a single stem goes in it. Buy the shape you love first, then work out what goes inside it.
Minimalist and Curved
Simple, sculptural silhouettes that look intentional even empty.
Sculptural and Face Vases
Abstract, art-piece vases that double as a conversation starter on a shelf.
Tall Statement Vases
Taller pieces built to anchor a console table, dining table centrepiece, or empty corner.
Nyis Vases We're Loving Right Now
Orion Ceramic Vase
The Orion Ceramic Vase ($29 AUD) has a ring shape that looks like a sculpture on its own. Leave it empty, or drop in one or two stems through the centre for an effortless look.
Neso and Rhea
The Neso Textured Ceramic Vase ($24.50 AUD) and Rhea Ceramic Vase ($23.40 AUD) both have gentle organic curves and a matte finish. They suit loose, garden-style arrangements and look great grouped together on a shelf, since their silhouettes complement rather than compete.
Gemini Abstract Face Vessel
The Gemini Abstract Face Vessel ($35.40 AUD) has two abstract faces meeting in one stone-grey vessel. It works as a miniature art piece on its own, or holds a small, restrained arrangement so the sculptural shape stays the focal point.
Cleo Ceramic Vase
The Cleo Ceramic Vase ($53.40 AUD) is built from cylindrical and spherical shapes for a bold, contemporary look. It suits fresh blooms or dried florals alike and holds its own as a dining table centrepiece.
Fresh Floral Styling 101
You don't need a $100 bouquet to make a vase look good.
- One-stem styling. A single tulip, ranunculus or protea in a small vase like Orion or Neso looks more considered than a crowded bunch.
- Odd numbers. Groups of three or five stems tend to look more natural than even numbers.
- Vary the height. Let some stems sit taller than the vase rim and others rest lower, rather than trimming everything level.
- Rehome your grocery store flowers. Split one bunch across two or three small vases instead of one big vase. It stretches the flowers further and gives you more surfaces to style.
The Rise of Dried and Preserved Florals
Dried and preserved florals are having a real moment, and for good reason: no water changes, no wilting, and they suit the textured, sculptural vases in our range especially well.
- Pampas grass and bunny tails work beautifully in taller pieces like the Cleo vase.
- Dried eucalyptus and lunaria (money plant) pair well with smaller minimalist vases, adding texture without overwhelming the shape.
- Mix textures, not just colours. Combine something fluffy (pampas), something structural (dried banksia or protea pods), and something delicate (dried baby's breath) for a fuller, more layered look.
How Long Do Dried Florals Actually Last?
Well-preserved dried stems can last anywhere from one to three years indoors, as long as they're kept out of direct sunlight and away from humidity. Fading is normal over time; a light dusting every few weeks with a soft brush or hairdryer on a cool, low setting keeps them looking fresher for longer.
Pairing Vase Shape With Stem Type
- Narrow-necked vases (like Orion) suit single stems or thin, structural dried grasses.
- Wide-mouthed vases (like Neso and Rhea) can handle fuller, looser bunches without stems flopping over the edge.
- Sculptural face vases (like Gemini) work best with something restrained: one or two stems, or nothing at all.
Styling a Shelf or Console With Multiple Vases
Group two or three vases of different heights and shapes together rather than spacing them out evenly. Leave one empty, put a single stem in another, and let the third hold a fuller dried arrangement. This mix of full, half, and empty is what makes a styled shelf look intentional instead of matchy.
Seasonal Vase Styling
Swapping what's inside a vase is one of the cheapest ways to refresh a room between seasons. Pair warmer, richer stems (dried banksia, dark eucalyptus) with your ceramics for a cosy winter look, browse our Winter Edit for seasonal pieces, or brighten things up with pastel fresh blooms in spring.
Vases as Gifts: Bridal Showers, Housewarmings, Hens Parties
A ceramic vase is one of the easiest gifts to get right: it's useful, it's decorative, and it doesn't require knowing someone's exact taste in colour or furniture. For bridal-adjacent events, take a look at our engagement party and bridal shower decor guide or our hens party gift ideas under $50. If you're shopping for a new homeowner, our housewarming gift guide has more ideas that pair naturally with a vase.
Vase Care and Cleaning
Hand wash ceramic vases with warm, soapy water rather than a dishwasher, which can dull the glaze or matte finish over time. For water rings or mineral buildup from fresh flowers, a mix of warm water and a splash of white vinegar left to soak for a few minutes usually lifts it. Dry fully before storing empty vases to avoid trapped moisture.
FAQs
Can I put fresh flowers with water in these vases? Yes, all of our ceramic vases are designed to hold water for fresh stems. If you're using a piece from our candle holder or vessel range for flowers instead, double check the listing, as a few of our sculptural pieces are designed primarily as candle holders.
How do I stop water from staining the inside of a matte ceramic vase? Change the water every two to three days and give the inside a quick rinse. Mineral buildup is normal with tap water over time and cleans up easily with a warm water and vinegar soak.
Are these vases dishwasher safe? We recommend hand washing to protect the glaze and matte finishes. This isn't dishwasher-tested on our end, so treat them as hand-wash-only until we confirm otherwise.
What's the best vase for a first apartment or small space? Start with one or two smaller pieces, like Orion or Neso, rather than a large statement vase. They're versatile enough to move between shelf, side table and dining table as your space evolves.
Do dried flowers work in every vase, or only certain shapes? Dried stems work in almost any vase, but taller, sturdier pieces like Cleo support larger dried arrangements (like pampas grass) better than small, narrow-necked vases.
What's your shipping policy? Standard shipping is free across Australia on orders over $99 AUD. Orders under $99 ship for a flat $10, and express shipping is a flat $15. All orders dispatch from Sydney.
What's your returns policy? We offer a 30-day return window from the date you receive your item. Items need to be unused, in original packaging, with proof of purchase. Customers cover return shipping unless the item arrived faulty or damaged. Reach out to returns@nyisstudio.com to start a return.
Download: Floral Styling Checklist
Grab our free Fresh & Dried Floral Styling Checklist (printable PDF, available on request while we finish wiring up the download link) covering vase shape pairing, stem count, and seasonal swap ideas.