How to Make Flower Arrangements

Flower arrangements are a classic and versatile decoration tool - they can be simple, extravagant, small or large, and can liven up an otherwise ordinary room with their beauty and scent. Flowers have long since been used for all sorts of decorative purposes - table decoration centerpieces, headdresses, wreaths, and bouquets, and they remain to this day, timeless décor options, with undimmed appeal. Learning how to make flower arrangements may seem complicated, especially if you look at some of the more luxurious pieces that often grace hotel lobbies and foyers, but it really isn't as difficult as it seems. Once you get some basics sorted, there are myriad ways to build an arrangement and ample opportunity for you to use your individual style. Take a look at some tips that should help you get started.

Basics

Like any other element of décor, flower arrangements traditionally will incorporate the basic design principles of balance, proportion, contrast and harmony. Arrangements that are pleasing to the eye, may not seem balanced or proportionate in terms of symmetry, especially the more contemporary pieces that are now popular, but even asymmetry can be balanced with skill. When starting out with your arrangement, visualize what you want as the end result. You can even start out with a picture as a guide if you're not quite sure.

Very often, the occasion will dictate the décor - for instance, when you're making flower arrangements for weddings, the factors that dictate your choices will be completely different from those for funerals, where wreaths may replace centerpieces, and floral arrangements must be somber and reflective of the mood. Even the flowers that you select can be a point of contention - flower meanings though not set in stone, should be used as a guideline to steer clear of making avoidable faux pas. Arrangements of artificial and dried flowers offer the advantage of longevity and low maintenance, great options for pieces that you don't want to have to keep changing. The following are some pointers that will help you make flower arrangements for all occasions.

Selecting a Receptacle
Vases and containers for floral arrangements come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Pick a vase or a container that you're comfortable working with, start out with smaller bowls and simple vases that don't pose too much of a task - very large vases for instance are sometimes difficult to handle. Depending on where you'd like to place your arrangement, select a vase that fits in - of course what holds your arrangement need not be restricted to vases - glass bowls, fish bowls, cookie jars, small planters, large planters, brass planters - you get the idea, basically anything works. Next is the floral foam. These foam blocks, often called 'oasis' are available at your local florist, can be cut to the size of your container and provide support for stems that can be pushed into the block. Soak the foam block in water, so that your flowers stay fresh, pick out your favorite blooms, a sharp pair of scissors and get started.

Flower Selection
You can either let the flowers dictate the arrangement or pick an arrangement and then select the flowers. For example, if you're making a triangular arrangement - heavy at the base and light at the top, it will mean shorter flowers in more profusion at the bottom and long stemmed flowers at the top, so the lengths of the stalks need to let you work with them in this manner. Similarly, round shaped arrangements in a shallow bowl will need small stems and can use soft stemmed flowers that don't hold up very well in tall arrangements.

Foliage and Fillers
Adding a touch of foliage can not only add an element of contrast in terms of color, it can also help to fill gaps that are left behind. Fillers can be used to spruce up the arrangement and add volume and width; baby's breath centerpieces is one such example.

Once you work out the shape of the arrangement, start out with the flowers that make up the base, and work your way to the top, this helps you maintain the visual and physical balance. You can add fillers once you're done with the flowers and even use accessories like candles, ribbon, or fruit to add an unusual touch. If you're home decorating, colors of the season can reflect in your arrangement, pick fresh spring flowers and fall foliage to mirror nature's bounty. Knowing how to make flower arrangements will bring beauty and fragrance to your home - soon you'll be wishing you started out earlier!