Fresh or fake, knowing how to arrange flowers is a skill that can come in handy at a moments notice. From displaying freshly picked flowers from your garden or farmer’s market to decorating for parties or gifting to a loved one, flowers brighten a room and a mood.
But did you know that there is an art to flower arranging? There have been times I’ve quickly thrown some flowers in a vase and called it a day. After all, they are pretty to look at no matter what, right? Well… not when they’re flopping to one side or look funny because they’re too tall for their vase. You don’t have to be a florist to know how to arrange flowers… It’s actually quite simple if you follow these 10 easy steps.
10 Steps to make professional-like flower arrangements
1. Consider your space and occasion
Are you decorating for a party? To freshen up your bedroom? Perhaps you’re looking to invest in fake flowers to create a tablescape for your formal dining room. If you have a reason to arrange flowers – other than to just brighten your mood – you will want to consider where your arrangement will be displayed and what they will be, or who they will be, for.
For this formal dining room, I knew the round room combined with the large 8-person round table needed something dramatic and lasting, which is why I decided to create an arrangement with fake flowers. It’s a room only used for special occasions so the arrangement would be displayed almost year-round.
2. Make your colors count
Mix unexpected colors, textures and even patterns to create something unique. For fake floral arrangements, consider the room’s main colors and overall feel and create a color palette of your own. Don’t be afraid to not match things perfectly! Selecting colors with fresh flowers is much easier to do, as you will be able to switch them out more often.
3. Pick a base or vase that fits both the space and the colors – or don’t!
Matching a style is wonderful (think a rustic-styled room with a rustic tin vase), but it’s also nice to think outside the box when it comes to bases and vases. A clear vase is lovely and definitely a staple piece for flower arrangements, but metal watering jugs, tinted glass mason jars, colorful kitchen mugs or bowls and other home décor pieces often make the best bases for your floral masterpieces.
4. Picking your perfect flowers
There are many options when it comes to arrangements. I like to consider flowers that fit the base (if I have one I simply must use), colors (if it’s a room that requires a specific color palette) and personality or theme (like a baby shower with a specific color scheme). Once you have that narrowed down, it’s not as overwhelming as it would be if you stepped into a flower shop unprepared. Do a little homework before hand – take pictures with your phone of the space or quickly jot down any ideas you have ahead of time.
5. Choosing a filler or stabilizer
For clear vases, you have the option to leave the flower stems exposed or fill the vase with something to create a more dramatic look. Twigs, pebbles, moss or rocks can be dropped into the vase for esthetics or to help stabilize the flowers. Just make sure you arrange the flowers in the vase as best you can and then add the fillers. If you need to add the fillers before arranging your flowers, only add a handful at a time while tipping and rotating the vase as you add the flowers.
If there aren’t enough flowers and stems to fill the entire circumference of a vase, you will end up with flowers that flop to one side or another.
Tip: If you’re creating a fake floral arrangement, keep Styrofoam pieces and a hot glue gun readily available as these can help you visually see your arrangement before adding the finishing touches.
6. Determine your high point and low point
How high do you want your arrangement depends on where it will be located. Is it for a dinner party and will it be displayed at the table for the duration of the party? Then you probably don’t want something higher than six inches so you will be able to make eye contact with the rest of your guests at the table. As far as a low point, I like to taper down the sides or even overflow and have some of the leaves or stems hang over the sides.
Tip: For fake arrangements, get a good pair of wire cutters. Your hands will thank you later!
7. Start in the middle and the top then work down
It’s much easier to start at the top and work your way down. You’ll be able to spot any holes that need filled and visually see the arrangement as it comes to life. If you’re having a hard time working with a larger arrangement, use tape to create a grid across the top of your vase to hold your stems in place then carefully remove the tape once finished.
8. Add varieties
Try to shy away from using the same flowers or colors for your arrangements. Add in sprigs, thin or twisted branches, berries and other fillers to create texture and to mix things up a bit.
9. Don’t forget the finishing touches
A simple piece of burlap wrapped around a vase can change the entire look of your arrangement. A simplistic look with all of the same flowers in your arrangement can stand out with the addition of large leaves around the sides.
10. Make your arrangement the focal point
Placement is also a big part of your arrangement. Make sure it’s well seen, well lit and has a space of it’s own – or styled neatly within your home’s décor. Don’t be afraid to show off your masterpiece!
Written by:
Christina Holt, Writer/Teacher- Mommy Loves Coffee
