Colour Psychology - Vibrant or Pastel Flower Bouquets?

The Language of Colour in Flowers

Before you even smell a bouquet, its colour has already sent a message. This powerful signaling influences mood, emotions, and perception both in decor and gifting. This is why an architect carefully considers what colour to paint a house’s interior, how an artist decides what palette to use on their canvas, and what product designers utilise to grab customers’ attention and make their product stand out.

Colour psychology is just as important to florists and their customers. Florists use it to craft mood-specific arrangements. Similarly, customers choose between vibrant and pastel tones as it is more than just a style choice: it’s about what message and emotion they want to express.

The Power of Colour Psychology in Floristry

As mentioned before, colours trigger emotional responses. Think about the different feelings evoked when you see bright, soft, or muted tones. Bright colours usually signal higher energy or intensity, soft or muted tones tend to be more calming and peaceful, encouraging introspection.

Flowers come in a variety of colours. As such, they become a creative form of non-verbal communication. Colour choice reflects intent and personality, perhaps of the giver or receiver. For example, red roses typically are chosen to communicate passion, yellow tulips for joy, or white lilies for purity.

Of course, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Colour psychology simply helps customers choose bouquets that “speak” the right emotion: love, comfort, gratitude, celebration, and more.

So, the question is: vibrant or pastel, which bouquet should I get?

Vibrant Colours – Energy, Boldness, and Joy

Vibrant colours are usually those bright, saturated hues that immediately capture one’s attention. Think red, fuchsia, orange, yellow, royal blue, or magenta. Palettes like these express excitement, confidence, creativity, passion, and happiness. You could consider including red roses, sunflowers, gerberas, lilies, tulips, or orchids in the flower arrangement. Balancing these bold hues with greenery would create a beautiful contrast and balance.

Depending on the occasion, whether your friend’s birthday, festive celebrations, a colleague’s promotion, or a surprise for your loved one, vibrant bouquets of fresh flowers make the perfect gift. If there isn’t a special occasion and you just want to give someone a pick-me-up, consider these colourways of fresh flower bouquets to energize or uplift someone who loves to stand out, just like the flowers.

Pastel Colours – Calm, Soft, and Romantic

While vibrancy shouts energy, pastel colors are more like a lilting melody, signaling calmness, gentleness, grace, nostalgia, and romance. The muted and lighter tones are seen in colours like blush pink, lavender, peach, baby blue, or cream. Pairing peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, or pastel roses with neutral tones like white, ivory, or beige would create a dreamy look — perfect to soothe or comfort sentimental personalities.

When would be a good time for pastel colours to make an appearance? Perhaps during anniversaries or weddings, Mother’s Day, or sympathy and “thinking of you” gifts. The neutral and more subtle colours would even make beautiful decor for homes, crafting a serene and safe vibe. Find out more here about the health benefits of having fresh flowers in your home.

Choosing the Right Mood

Vibrants and pastels are arguably different in the visual aspect, but also in the emotional and psychological effect they have. So, which to get?

Instead of throwing away fresh flowers after their short life span, customers are also inclined towards preserved flower bouquet options, as they are longer-lasting and result in lower waste. Furthermore, they can make for beautiful decorations and fashion accessories, not just bouquets!

Well, there’s no “better” choice. It simply depends on the occasion, the giver’s intended message, or the receiver’s personality. To sum up:

How Would I Know? – Consideration Tips

Hopefully, this has encouraged you to consider other aspects beyond the aesthetic appeal, but also the practicality and personality that these different flower bouquets bring.

Firstly, consider the occasion. Romantic – an anniversary bouquet for precious years spent together? Or, joyful – a congratulatory bouquet for a classmate’s graduation?

Second, what is the recipient’s personality? Are they a bold, boisterous individual or a more reflective, contemplative introvert?

Lastly, if you’re thinking of getting preserved or fresh flowers for interior decoration, consider the space it’ll sit in and the mood you want to create — vibrant flowers for a bright living room, or pastels for a cozy corner.

The Enchanted Tree’s Approach to Colour

Here at The Enchanted Tree, fresh flower arrangements and preserved flower bouquets are designed with intention and meaning, each curated with colour psychology in mind.

If you already have a clear picture of what bouquet you would like to gift someone, explore our bespoke collection for the elegant (Minimalist), the adventurous (Just Wild), the confident (Sugar Plum), and more!

Conclusion: What Does Your Choice Say About You?

Just as every colour holds emotion, every bouquet tells a story. Whether you’re drawn to vivid energy or soft serenity, there’s a flower that speaks your language. Celebrate your or your loved one’s personality through our colourful flowers because the right bouquets are more than just pretty things to see — they’re powerful emotional storytellers that say the words we sometimes can’t.