DIY Flower Centerpieces

You can make centerpieces with fresh or silk flowers.

Flower centerpieces can beautify every room in your home from the foyer to the dining room. You can give a centerpiece as a housewarming gift, or use them to decorate the tables at wedding receptions, parties and corporate functions. Use your creative side to design the exact floral centerpiece that you want. Develop the skill of blending and contrasting colors. It is easy to learn, and your hobby may blossom into an extra income during wedding season and the holidays.

Things You'll Need

• Floral container
• Floral foam
• Scissors
• Glue
• Flowers
• Greenery
• Tapered or pillar candles
• Silk ribbon

Instructions

1. Choose whether you will make your flower centerpieces with fresh or silk flowers. Fresh flowers will last up to 10 days and, if you use aromatic varieties, will add a fragrance to your home. Silk flowers last for years but need weekly dusting, occasional washing and have no fragrance. Both are lovely in flower centerpieces.

2. Select colors for your flower arrangement that will complement the decor of the room. Use a color wheel if you are not certain. The colors within the floral centerpiece should also either complement or contrast with each other. For example, you could contrast deep red roses with white ones.

3. Find a container for your centerpiece. The size should be relative to the surroundings. For example, a small table in the foyer should have a smaller flower arrangement than a dining room table that seats 12 people. Keep in mind that fresh flowers require a waterproof container, such as ceramic or brass, for daily watering.

4. Cut the floral foam to the size of the container. Glue it to the bottom and let dry completely.

5. Soak the floral foam with water if you are working with fresh flowers. Otherwise, skip this step.

6. Cut the lower leaves (whatever would be in the water) and any thorns from the stems of fresh flowers. Trim the stems by cutting them at a diagonal. This allows the stems to absorb more water.

7. Arrange the taller flowers in the back of the vase if the centerpiece will be against the wall, such as on a foyer table. Arrange the taller flowers in the center of the container if the centerpiece will be on a table in the middle of the room, such as a coffee or dining room table.

8. Blend the flowers so there are no isolated patches of color. For example, you should avoid having a group of yellow mums without anything interspersing them.

9. Insert greenery among the flowers. Use taller greenery with the taller flowers and smaller leaves and ivy among the shorter flowers.

10. Finish the flower part of the centerpiece by adding baby's breath throughout the arrangement. It is a small and delicate flower and gives a pretty finishing touch.

11. Add plain or scented candles, if desired. Choose a tapered or pillar candle that is taller than the surrounding flowers. Trim greenery, if necessary, to remove any fire hazard.

12. Add silk ribbon for a festive touch if you are using a basket as the centerpiece.

References

• Save On Crafts: Eight Basic Flower Centerpieces