'It's Amazing How a Simple Vase of Flowers Can Change My Mood' – Ina Garten Proves That Even the Simplest of Ideas Can Make a Big Impact

It may seem small, but this one key addition can transform your room and your mindset, especially in the depths of winter

ina garten on a white background
(Image credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)

The long winter months can feel endless, but one of the simplest and most effective ways to lift both our mood and our interiors is to take a leaf out of Ina Garten’s book and display a vase of early spring-flowering plants. Not only do they add a bright, cheerful splash of color, but fresh flowers also bring a touch of the outdoors inside, offering a hopeful hint that warmer days are on the way.

Ina Garten recently shared a photo of a bouquet of soft, lilac-hued tulips, noting, 'It’s amazing how a simple vase of flowers can change my mood.' We couldn’t agree more – on a cold, grey day, it’s hard to imagine these cheerful blooms not putting a smile on your face.

Shop Vases For Mood-Lifting Floral Displays Like Ina Garten's

The best vases should show off your beautiful blooms in all their glory, rather than detract from them, so we've rounded up a selection of minimal designs that do just that. Plus, we've picked out some gorgeously realistic faux flowers to display if you're still waiting for your own to bloom in the garden.


It's not the first time we've seen Ina Garten display tulips on her kitchen countertop, but with spring on its way, the Barefoot Contessa has once again inspired us to look to nature and our gardens to bring a little joy to our interior spaces.

Head of Gardens, Rachel Bull, says, 'Tulips are a wonderful choice for this time of year as they come in a variety of bold, beautiful varieties, which can pick out the colors in your interior scheme or create a beautiful contrast that will stand out and make a statement. If you see tulips at a flower market or in a local store, now is the perfect time to really enjoy them, while the days are still short and the weather gloomy – they're a perfect and inexpensive way to inject a little spring cheer.'

If you're wondering how to arrange flowers, there's no better time to learn, and it really couldn't be simpler. Rachel also shared some really useful advice about how to care for tulips in a vase to ensure they stay fresh and looking their best for as long as possible.


Fresh flowers are an instant way to bring a sense of renewal, brightness, and unexpected color into your interior scheme, and Ina Garten's beautiful tulips are just the inspiration we need.


Katrina Harper-Lewis
Head of Living

Katrina is Head of Living at Homes & Gardens, covering hosting and entertaining, seasonal styling ideas, sleep and wellbeing, along with a highly experienced team of writers and reviewers. With more than 15 years' experience in lifestyle content, Katrina was previously an editor at luxury lifestyle platform, Muddy Stilettos, has been a features writer at Sainsbury's magazine and has also written for a wealth of other food and lifestyle titles including Ideal Home, Waitrose Food, John Lewis' Edition and The Home Page. Katrina is passionate about heritage style and lives in a 100-year old cottage in rural Hertfordshire, where she enjoys finding creative ways to live and host stylishly.