Rules for Arranging Flowers

Use the Proper Tools and Materials

• The type of tools and materials you use are important to the outcome of your arrangement. Using professional-grade floral materials from craft and floral supply stores will help you design a lasting arrangement. For example, if you are working with foam, choose the wet foam that you can soak in water for fresh flowers and choose dry foam for silk or dried blossoms. Choose containers that have a good weight or add marbles or pebbles to weigh it down. Floral scissors, wire cutters, picks and tape will help you properly cut and strengthen stems.

Balancing Your Arrangement

• Balance is an important aspect of flower arranging because it gives the design interest with varied textures and colors. Well-balanced floral arrangements include focal flowers, line materials that are both greenery and floral, and filler flowers that are smaller greenery and blossoms. This variety allows you to use the line materials to help you define the shape of your arrangement and the focal flowers as the main items of interest. As you place the focal flowers in the arrangement, position the largest blossoms at the bottom of the arrangement and the small blossoms and buds on the sides and top so that the arrangement does not appear top-heavy. Rotate the direction of the flowers in the arrangement so that the design has depth.

Choose Complementary Colors

• Use coordinating hues to add color balance to the design. The colors of the line materials and the focal and filler flowers should be different hues of similar colors or colors that harmonize. By choosing a variety of colors, you can add drama with bold colors or subtly with pastels. Spread stems of similar colors over the entire arrangement to allow all of the colors in the arrangement to stand out.

Keep Proper Scale and Proportion

• As you design your floral arrangement, consider the proper scale for the area. In general, the height of your stems should reach twice the height of your container. Arrangements on small tables and mantels should be smaller compared to arrangements on large foyer tables. Also, consider the function of the arrangement as you plan the design. For example, formal dining centerpieces should be low so they do not obstruct the view of people sitting around the table, while mantel arrangements could have significant height to provide drama to the area.