Vases are some of the easiest pieces to add to a home and some of the hardest to style well. One lonely vase in the middle of a shelf can look like an afterthought, while too many look like a shop display. The difference comes down to a few simple rules that designers use every day.

1. Group in odd numbers

Three or five vases grouped together almost always look more natural than two or four. Odd numbers stop the eye from pairing things off, so the group reads as a single composition. Start with three and add more only if the surface is large, such as a long sideboard or a deep windowsill.

2. Vary the height and shape

Within a group, aim for one tall piece, one medium and one low. Mix silhouettes too: a slim bottle shape next to a rounded belly and a wide, low bowl. This creates a gentle rise and fall that feels balanced without being symmetrical.

The Chalk and Rust Vase collection (pictured above) is designed to be grouped this way, with different forms in a shared finish. The Echo Vase Tall and Echo Vase Short make an easy pair to build around.

3. Keep one thing in common

A group of vases needs one shared thread to hold it together. That might be colour (all earthy neutrals), material (all ceramic, all glass) or finish (all matt, all textured). Once you have that thread, you can vary everything else freely.

The Flint Vase Collection shows how well this works: soft, aged tones in several shapes that sit together as a family.

4. Add a pop of colour or pattern

Once you have a calm, neutral base, one stronger piece brings the group to life. Amber glass catches the light beautifully on a windowsill; try the Amber Coconut Vase or the Molten Amber Vase Collection. For pattern, hand-painted pieces like the Tribal Hand Painted Vase or the Kuba Hand-Painted Vase add graphic character and a sense of craft.

5. What to put in them

South Africa is spoilt for choice when it comes to stems. Some ideas that last:

• Fynbos and proteas: long-lasting and they dry beautifully, so one arrangement can last for weeks.
• Branches: a single branch of olive, eucalyptus or spring blossom in a tall vase makes a strong architectural statement.
• Dried grasses and pampas: soft, textural and completely low-maintenance.
• Garden cuttings: agapanthus, plumbago or a few sprigs of rosemary in a small jug on the kitchen counter.

Proportion tip: Stems should be roughly one and a half to two times the height of the vase. Anything shorter looks stubby; much taller and it can look unbalanced.

6. Or leave them empty

A sculptural vase doesn't always need flowers. Pieces with strong shapes or beautiful glazes work as objects in their own right, especially on shelves where stems would get in the way. Mix filled and empty vases in the same group for a relaxed, collected look.

7. Give them a base

On a large surface such as a coffee table or sideboard, anchor your group with a stack of books, a tray or a wooden board. It lifts the arrangement and stops it looking like it's floating.

The short version

• Group vases in threes or fives.
• Mix one tall, one medium and one low.
• Keep one element in common: colour, material or finish.
• Add one piece of colour or pattern to bring it to life.
• Stems should be one and a half to two times the vase height.
• Sculptural vases can stand alone, empty.

Browse the full vase collection. Decor orders of R1,000 or more ship free in South Africa. For help pulling a look together, chat to one of our designers on WhatsApp.