Top 5 flower design essentials

Flower arranging really is an art. You cannot simply slap a few random blooms together and expect them to look great. Of course, with the right guidance, you too can assemble a stunning floral display that you can be proud of!

Colours

The first thing that you will need to understand is that there are a number of different types of colour schemes. For example, you could opt for a single colour and a single type of flower. Just think about a bouquet of red roses. Alternatively, you can use a single colour but choose several flowers in the same colour. If you want to combine different colours, there are several options. If you choose two colours, you can use a colour wheel to help you select the right combination. Two colours that are opposite one another on the colour wheel work very well together. Yellow and dark purple or blue are a great example of this. If you want to use three colours, they should be evenly spaced apart on the colour wheel. If you want to create a natural, wild flower style bouquet, then let nature inspire you. Choose all of the colours that you find in a wild field.

Shape

The shape of your arrangement will depend on a few factors. Firstly, if you want to enjoy the blooms yourself, then where do you plan on displaying them? If you want to use them as a centrepiece on your dinner table, then a round or horizontal style flower arrangement is often best. If you want to decorate your entrance hall and you have a small table in a corner, then perhaps a vertical, triangular or oval-shaped floral display is more suitable. If you plan on sending these flowers as a gift, then you can either place them in a vase, wrap them in some decorative paper or tie the stems together with a ribbon. Each of these options will help you determine the style and shape of the bouquet.

Size

The size of your bouquet will depend on your needs, budget and the space you have available for the display. The types of flowers you choose will also help you create the size you need. For example, roses can be used in small or medium arrangements whereas larger blooms like sunflowers, proteas and hydrangeas often make the most impact in larger arrangements. You should also consider the length of their stems. For example, if you want to use gladiolus flowers, then you should add them as a way of giving your display some height and colour.

Textures

Different flowers have different textures. For instance, a rose has a smooth texture while a carnation or chrysanthemum has ruffled or smaller petals which gives them a richer texture. By including both of these elements, you can have a truly rich bouquet. Remember, it’s not only your flowers that add texture, but your foliage too! Using more than one type of greenery can also really spruce up the bouquet. Just remember not to overdo it or your bouquet will end up with more foliage than flowers.

Give each flower a role

Like the parts of a stage performance where everyone has a role to play, so too do the blooms in your bouquet. Obviously, if you are using a single type of flower in your bouquet, then this will not apply. However, if you want to experiment with different flower arrangement designs, you should select bold and larger flowers as your focal flowers. Usually, you should have an uneven number of focal flowers in the middle of the bouquet. For example, you can have a single large lily, three lilies or even five if the bouquet is larger. Next up, your mass flowers. These are flowers that play the supporting roles. They make the focal flowers look good without stealing the limelight. They are usually slightly smaller in size and their colours compliment those of your focal flowers. Finally, filler flowers are the smallest of the lot and fillers can even be sticks, berries and foliage too. They are like the props in the play that bring it all together and help everything make sense.

So, with these 5 tips, you too can design and create your very own impressive flower arrangements! Just remember that the best results come after plenty of practice. You can also look for inspiration by searching for flowers online.