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How to Arrange Flowers

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

Have you all ever looked on Instagram or Pinterest and wondered how people got their floral arrangements so perfect? Obviously part of it is skill and talent, but there are a lot of tricks and tips I didn’t know, and some supplies I didn’t now I needed. Ready to learn how to arrange flowers? Let’s do it!

I went to a little gathering at West Elm awhile back. I made so many great connections that night, but one in particular was my new friend Kris. She is crazy-talented in so many ways—interior design, calligraphy, styling and floral arranging. I have been dying to learn how to arrange flowers (and just wanted to hang out with this fun lady!) so I was super excited when she invited me over to her AMAZING house for a brunch and floral arranging session.

She picked up these flowers at various grocery stores and after enjoying some yummy muffins and mimosas we got to work. Kris is so gifted and so patient—even with floral newbies like myself. Here are her tips for creating fabulous arrangements of your own!

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

1) Before purchasing your flowers take time to think about your arrangement. What’s the purpose? Who is the audience? Is there a certain flower you want to make sure is included—if so use that to build your other flower selections off of. If there isn’t a particular flower, what color palette? I got to choose our palette and went with a cream and blush selection.

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

2) Choose your containers and decide if you will be using floral foam or not. We used white vases that were opaque so we could use floral foam. When working with foam you want to soak it for at least 10 minutes, and then use a knife to cut it down to fit into the container. You want it to be a tight fit. It feels like slicing watermelon!

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

3) Add your greenery. Fun fact—we picked these all from her back yard! Create a “nest” for your flowers by placing greenery into the foam. Make sure you take all the leaves below water level off and follow the natural curve of each leaf to see which way it should angle. Here is also where you will decide if you will create a flat (viewed from the front only) or a 360 arrangement. We went with flat for my first. If you want to make it 360—make sure you are constantly turning the arrangement as you build it.

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

4) Add your focal point flower. This bloom will be the star of the show! It’s usually the largest bloom, so ours was a hydrangea. Again, make sure you angle the flower into the foam carefully and remove all the leaves below water level. Hydrangea happens to be a “thirsty flower”, so use floral sheers to carefully expose the white inside the stem and use another hardier stem to create a pilot hole for the stem since it’s a bit weaker.

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

5) Layer in all your other flowers, again making sure you pay attention to the way the flowers naturally angle and bend. Work with nature and gravity, not against it!

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

6) Finish your arrangement with additional greenery and admire. : )

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

We had flowers left over so we created a second arrangement in mason jars. Since we didn’t use floral foam Kris suggested using the stems of the greenery to create an anchor for the florals to rest in.

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

We had a mini photoshoot for our flowers. I can’t show you too much of her house, but I can tell you it is GORGEOUS. One of my favorite houses I’ve ever seen. I am excited to share it soon in an upcoming house tour! 🙂

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here. I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

I am already excited to try floral arranging again. My flowers found a new home in our newly redecorated living room. Aren’t they lovely? Thank you Kris!

I always wondered how people got those perfect flower arrangements but this post is super helpful. The trick is floral foam and the placement of greenery. Really helpful tips from a floral designer here.

To check out more amazing floral arrangements from Kris check her out on instagram here.

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Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.

Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.

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15 Comments

  1. Gorgeous! I am terrible at flower arranging, but there are definitely some pointers in here that I can use. I may have to pick up some flowers on my way home tonight and practice!

  2. So pretty! I love how wild and free the arrangements are. I just found you today from a link roundup, and this is super fun.

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