Adding live florals to your home can really make a space pop. From inviting bursts of color to lingering scents, a simple arrangement can really elevate your space. Whether you’re drawn to an organic, flowing bundle or simple traditional arrangement, let us show you how to make the most out of a simple bouquet.
Determine Your Style
Before beginning, determine what shape and style you would like for your finished product. Are you looking for wide, short arrangement great for the dining table or a tall slender bouquet for an entryway or hall niche? Are you looking for something wild, with long, loose tendrils training outside the vase or something compact, traditional and monochromatic? Consider the color of the room, the height of the space and the vibe you would like to confer with your florals. Flowers can do a lot to make a space feel more alive but really reach their full potential when they accentuate your home. When selecting materials, think outside the box. Many modern bouquets rely on citrus, berries, leaves, ferns and other unusual greenery to make a statement. Don’t be afraid to get a little creative.
Three Tips for Building the Arrangement You Want
Once you have determined the type of arrangement that will fit your space best, how do you go about executing it? To stay on track, just remember these three ideas: Frame, Focus and Float.
Frame your Florals
Set the tone and give your arrangement good bones. Select twigs, large or sturdy leaves and branches to prop up more delicate flowers. Use sweet almond stems, calla lily, holly, willow, dogwood or cherry blossoms to act as a ladder for the other flowers to rest upon. This will shape your arrangement and give it structure.
Build a Foundation and Focal Point
Select a few key pieces to anchor your piece. Whether these are large faced sunflowers or dahlias, orchids or proteas, choose a few statement makers as your stand-out stunners. These should have firm stems and a bold presence. Look for colorful ranunculus, anemones, aster, roses or fragrant freesia.
Add Floaters
Soften the look and add touch of whimsey with floaty, airy accents. Think delicate ferns, sweet pea tendrils or trailing poppies. Different weights of flower and greenery will give the arrangement a sense of balance. This can apply to any theme. Go tropical with birds or paradise and airy palms or embody farmhouse garden with mini roses and delicate daisies.
Materials:
- Blooms, greens and foliage
- Vase or container
- Scissors or shears
- Fresh, cool water
- Flower food (optional)
- Floral tape (optional)
Get Started
- Choose the flowers that speak to you! In season blooms will likely be the freshest and most affordable. Pick a mix of greenery and flowers in similar or contrasting colors
- Look for plants have great texture in addition to color and keep in min the scale of the blooms.
- Think about the style of the arrangement you’d like to create. Are you looking for something tall and willowy or short and round?
- Trim stems at least 1-inch or at short as you need them for your piece and remove any thorns or leaves that will sit below the water line.
- Add your largest flowers first working in a circular pattern. Fill in the gaps with smaller blooms and fresh greens.
- Keep your arrangement fresh by changing the water daily and removing blooms as they begin to wilt. This will keep the other stems fresh and allow your creation to evolve as different flowers peak at different times. Enjoy your new creation!