Step-by-Step Simple Flower Arranging for Beginners

An easy guide to learning the basics for flower arranging for beginners.

Have you ever wanted to create beautiful flower arrangements for your dining table? Or what about a stunning flower arrangement for a special event? Floral design is a fun skill for those looking to develop some creative talents and make their own lovely display.

In this article we will dive into basic flower arranging and provide you with a simple beginner's guide for this task. Whether you want to create elaborate displays for your home or master the art of gift-giving, this article will give you all the tips and tricks you need to become a flower arranging pro. So, let's roll up our sleeves, put on our gardening gloves, and get ready to learn how to put together a simple arrangement.

Know-How Basics for Flower Arranging

Before you get started on flower arranging, there are a few tips to know that will make this process go smoother.

Flower arranging doesn't need any special skills, it really just takes a good eye - you need to see what combinations of flowers work, and what doesn't, particularly with color palette.
Get your fresh flowers from a good quality grocery store, flower market or farm. I like to buy flowers from Costco because I know they are fresh and last for a long time. They are also reasonably priced for what you get. Be mindful of where you get inexpensive flowers. They might not have longevity for more than a couple of days if they are poor quality.
Purchase more than one type of flower - I will usually buy two, one with my main focus flowers and another with filler flowers and foliage. You can also get more than one bouquet if you do smaller flower arrangements.
When arranging flowers, make sure to use a variety of colors and play upon whatever flowers or colors are in season for decorating. This will make it more festive and beautiful.

What You'll Need for Floral Arrangements

For fresh flower arrangements:

Focal flowers - the main flower you want as focal point
Small flowers or foliage to fill in: wispy grasses, smaller blooms, woody stems, etc.
Flower food
Sharp knife or scissors
Mason jar or vase
Room temperature water

For artificial arrangements:

Feature flowers - main flower
Filler flowers or stems - just like above
Optional - floral foam, chicken wire, rubber band, floral tape. Whatever you need to keep your flowers in place in the desired positioning
Scissors or wire cutter strong enough to cut faux flower stems
Vase - clear vase is not recommended

Step-by-Step Flower Arranging for Beginners

For a visual demonstration on making my own flower arrangement, you can watch my video tutorial below. But for detailed instructions, keep reading! For this specific design, I am using fresh flowers. However, for a step-by-step artificial flower arranging for beginners, you will do something similar.

Prep Vase or Jar for Flowers

The first thing you want to do after acquiring your flowers is to prep them for the flower container or vase. Add fresh water and plant nutrients to your vase.

If you are using faux floral arrangements, you can skip this step. Instead, you may want to insert floral foam into the bottom of your vase or jar to keep your flowers in place.

Separate Flowers

Next, separate your flowers so you can individually place them more easily. Hopefully you have picked up a variety of different textures because this will add to the design. In this case I separated my main flowers, the roses, from my smaller flowers and foliage. If you can place flowers in separate groups, this will make arrangements easier.

Cut Stems

Before placing the flowers into a container, give a fresh cut to the bottom of the stems. This can help to extend the life of your flowers by helping the nutrients to soak up in the freshly cut stem. Cut at a 45-degree angle and down to the size you want them. I usually only try to trim them by a couple inches or so. But it may depend on the height of your vase.

You will most likely need to trim down your artificial flowers as well. Use wire snips or sturdy scissors that can do this.

Begin Arranging Starting with Main Flower

Begin arranging by starting with the main flower that you want as the middle centerpiece. Fill those in, in the middle. I also leave out a few of these flowers, just in case I want to add more later.

Incorporate Filler Foliage Throughout

The next step is to start filling in your arrangement with other types of flowers and foliage. It is always a great idea to mix some foliage in with the smaller flowers for a more natural look. It adds variety and dimension to your arrangement. Also be mindful of balancing the different flowers evenly throughout.

Fill in any empty spots. You will want to make sure that your small bouquet looks full, but not so jam-packed that you are crushing flowers together. I arrange these filler pieces until I can get it just right!

Create the perfect floral arrangement for any special occasion, including baby showers, parties, weddings, or just for your every day table decor. You can even use flowers from your own garden to cut down on cost.

Looking for more flower tips in your home or yard? Take a peek at any of these posts to help you with your planting endeavors!

Make your own custom flower arrangements

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Basic Flower Arrangements for Beginners

Flower arranging may seem like a daunting task for beginners, but with the right tools and techniques anyone can create beautiful and meaningful floral displays. From selecting the right flowers to mastering the art of balance and symmetry, you have all you need with the essential principles to get started in this creative and fulfilling hobby. So go ahead, grab some flowers and let your imagination bloom.

Happy Decorating!

Brooke