How to Design a Floral Arrangement

A floral arrangement is a nice way to add the perfect finishing touch to any decorating scheme. Flowers can help freshen a tired look, create a sense of movement in a space and bring color and light indoors. Best of all, creating an arrangement with a few inexpensive tools and widely available materials is very easy.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl or vase Flowers Florist's foam Scissors Moss

Instructions

Floral Arrangements

1. Begin by thinking about the effect you would like to achieve. Look closely at the space where you plan to use the finished product. Is this space clean and airy? Or is it a more cozy room? Is there a sense of drama when you walk in? Or does the room have more plain lines?
   A dramatic room may call out for a spare floral arrangement, one that complements the room's clean lines rather than drawing attention to itself. A small, cozy room may benefit from a vase full of flowers that brings out the room's innate homey charm.

2. Start choosing flowers.
   Long, thin flowers such as lilies will draw the eye upward. Shorter flowers such as delphiniums and violets will pull it down. Color is also important. A monochromatic room can be brightened up by a dash of contrasting color. Strikingly deep red roses will draw the viewer's eye in when placed against a black and white background.
   You can also combine heights and colors. A bouquet of sunflowers works well with smaller flowers such as hydrangeas. The closed, thick clusters of the hydrangeas contrast well with the open sunflowers.

3. Consider the receptacle you'll be using. You can find stylish vases in many craft stores. If you would like to showcase the vase, choose a simple arrangement that won't overwhelm the vase's lines. A group of flowers in a different color is an excellent idea. Flowers that are the same color may lead to the vase's details getting lost.
   You can also use other materials to hold your arrangement. A simple wine glass can be filled with low lying flowers for a pretty effect. Even a recycled soda or juice glass with elegant lines can serve well. Just be sure to thoroughly rise the glass and carefully strip off any paper or labels.

4. Begin crafting your arrangement once you've decided on the colors, flowers and vase. Place the florist's foam in the chosen container. The foam will anchor the flowers. The foam should fill the bottom of the vase but not spill out over it.
   Look over the flowers you are planning to use. Strip away any thorns. This can be done with scissors. Remove leaves on the bottom of taller flowers. Think about leaving the leaves on the smaller flowers. Leaves can serve as a nice color counterpoint to the rest of the arrangement.
   You can lay the flowers on a clean surface first to see what they look like together. Think about the eventual three-dimensional result of the arrangement. See how it looks from the back as well as the sides.

5. Start placing the flowers in the foam when you've decided on the precise combination of colors and height. Place the larger flowers in the foam first. The flower should go in the foam gently. There is no need to push or jab it. Taller flowers can go in the middle or back of the display.
   Smaller flowers can be placed in next. You may wish to angle these against the sides of the vase. Other plants can come last. This can include additional leaves and filler material such as moss or baby's breath.
   A ribbon or candle makes a fine finishing touch. Ribbons and lace around the side of the container will bring the eye to the vase.