Flowers in the Home

Freshly Cut Arrangements

• Create a beautiful arrangement of flowers to set on dining room tables, on a window sill and/or on a nightstand. You can purchase single flowers or bouquets at most grocery stores and farmers markets, or pick your own from your home garden. To arrange the flowers, make slightly diagonal cuts on the bottom of each stem to prolong freshness. Fill a vase three-quarters full of water, then place the bouquet within. Change the water every couple of days to keep the flowers looking fresh.

Potted Plants

• Many flowers will thrive indoors for years if properly cared for. You can purchase potted flowers from gardening stores and some grocery stores. Find flowers that are labeled for indoors that do well in the type of lighting your house provides. Once you get the plant home, carefully transfer it to a bigger pot, add fertilizer and water regularly. These potted flowers will add brightness and beauty to your home while also providing beneficial oxygen for you to breathe.

Fabric Designs

• Floral prints are a useful way to incorporate the natural beauty of flowers in your home without the maintenance of watering or arranging real flowers. You can purchase couches, chairs and wallpaper with the theme of flowers. You also can create your own by making floral curtains, drawing flowers as art or using dried flowers as decoration. When using floral prints within a room, make sure that multiple prints have a similar color scheme. Try to avoid using too many flower designs in one room. Instead, pick one piece of furniture or artwork to accent with a flower design.

Edibles

• Another way to use of flowers in the home is through cooking. Many varieties of flowers can be picked or purchased from the store to use in your favorite recipes. To add a sweet flavor to desserts and salads, add violets, roses or lavender. Calendulas are a cheap alternative to saffron, and chamomile makes a wonderful tea. Any edible flower, such as basil or dill, can be used to sprinkle over a green salad, adding extra color and taste.