Flower Arranging Trends

Single-Color Arrangements

• Create a soothing, simple look by choosing flowers of the same color for your flower arrangement. Pair bright pink tulips with pale pink roses and integrate more than one shade of the same color to give the arrangement depth. Flowers that look vastly different from each other -- carnations and lilies, for example -- but grow in the same colors create a look of texture when placed in the same floral arrangement.

The Natural Look

• It's always a popular floral trend to create natural-looking arrangements that aren't too overdone. Choose flowers with more muted colors, earth tones, such as cream, gray and coral. Less is more when you're trying to achieve a natural look; arrangements are uncluttered, made up of only a few flowers. Cut flowers to different heights and point them in different directions to give the arrangement a loose, natural look. Roses, peonies, dahlias and gardenias are all suited to this trendy style. Add sand, pebbles and branches to include more natural elements into the arrangement.

Parisian

• Follow Parisian floral trends to make arrangements look both romantic and rustic. French arrangements often include fruits and vegetables with flowers. Choose garden veggies and fruits with interesting shapes and colors, such as squash, plums and berries. The style, known as "bouquet vegetal," may incorporate garden flowers, like lilies, with garden veggies likes carrots and beans.

Big and Bold

• Make a statement by creating an extreme arrangement. Choose flowers that grow in bright hues to create a dazzling contrast against the surrounding decor, or mix extremely different flowers to get contrast within the arrangement. Bright yellows, deep reds and vivid oranges may all be put in one vase to create a big, bold bouquet that highlights color and contrast. The point is to mix colors that normally wouldn't be seen together to create one eye-catching floral showpiece.

Vases and Vessels

• Where you put your arrangement is important, too. The vase or vessel you use to hold the flowers becomes a part of the arrangement. Choose a dark vase to draw attention to the blooms themselves, or a clear one to show off the entire arrangement from top to bottom. Place flowers in vessels that usually aren't made for the task, such as big cans, mason jars or even a trophy, to create a unique, arresting look.