How to Style a Pampas Grass Vase in Your Living Room

With its feathery plumes and golden tones, pampas grass has become a staple of boho and minimalist interiors alike. But the difference between a bunch that flops in every direction and a display with real presence comes down to a few details. Here is our step-by-step method for styling pampas grass in a vase.

Step 1: choose the right vase

Pampas is light, but its stems are long, so the vase needs to be both tall and stable.

• Height: at least 30 cm, ideally 40 cm for stems of 90 cm or more.
• Opening: narrow, between 4 and 7 cm, so the stems support each other.
• Base: wide and heavy, so the whole arrangement doesn't topple over at the slightest draught.

Our 40 cm tall ribbed vase was chosen for exactly those three reasons: a 6 cm neck, a thick base and ribs that catch the light beautifully.

Step 2: prep the stems

When it arrives, pampas is often squashed from its journey. Don't worry, that's completely normal.

1. Take the stems out of the packaging and shake them gently outdoors: a few plumes will drop, which means less fluff on your living room floor later.
2. Leave them standing upright for a day or two while the plumes gradually open up.
3. To add volume, use a hairdryer on the cool setting, held 20 cm away, working from the base up to the tip.
4. If you like, mist lightly with hairspray from 30 cm away: it sets the plumes and reduces shedding.

Step 3: cut to the right height

This is the step that makes all the difference. The rule: the visible part of the arrangement should be one and a half to two times the height of the vase. With a 40 cm vase, aim for a total height of 100 to 120 cm.

For a natural look, trim a few stems by 5 to 15 cm with sharp secateurs so they end up at slightly different lengths. Place the longest in the centre and at the back, the shortest at the sides and front.

Step 4: build the arrangement

• Number of stems: allow 5 to 10 stems for a tall vase. Any more and the display quickly looks bushy.
• Mix it up: add two or three finer stems, such as bunny tails or dried eucalyptus, to vary the textures.
• Colours: natural pampas works with off-white, sand and terracotta; white pampas stands out best against a dark vase or a coloured wall.

Step 5: find the perfect spot

• On the floor, next to an armchair or sofa: the arrangement fills the corner and adds height.
• On a console or sideboard: place the vase to one side and balance it with a stack of books or a candle holder on the other.
• Near a window: light shines beautifully through the plumes, but avoid all-day direct sun, which fades the colours.

Do, however, steer clear of narrow walkways, where every brush past sheds a few plumes, and of the bathroom, which is too humid.

Pairings that work

Pampas loves natural materials. For a cosy living room, team your vase with:

• a linen or bouclé throw;
• pale wood, such as an oak coffee table;
• matte ceramics in earthy tones;
• soft light, from a candle in a sculptural candle holder for instance.

Care: make your pampas last

Looked after properly, a pampas display keeps its good looks for a long time. Dust it now and then with a hairdryer on the cool setting, keep it away from damp and never get it wet. If a stem gets damaged, simply replace it: our 8-stem natural pampas bouquet lets you top up or refresh the arrangement without starting from scratch.

The bottom line

A tall, narrow-necked vase, stems prepped and cut to the right length, and a spot away from moisture: with these few steps, your pampas vase will become the centrepiece of your living room.