How to Make a Flower Arrangement for a Small Table

Purchase a glass tube vase to place a single flower or a wider vase to place bunches. A do-it-yourself option is to remove the label from a metal soup or coffee can to create a container for a small floral bunch. Spray-paint the can to match your color scheme, or choose a neutral color such as white, silver, gray or gold. Allow the spray paint to dry, based on the manufacturer’s directions.

Measure the diameter of the vase or can with a tape measure. Cut a solid-colored or patterned ribbon that matches the decor in a length that's about 1/2 inch longer than the diameter. Glue the ribbon strip around the center of the vase or can, and add embellishments such as buttons, bows or a dried flower bud where the ribbon ends meet to enhance the design of the container. Dangle glass beads attached to hooks from the top of the glass vase for an elegant look, or fill a glass vase with stones for an earthy look.

Fill the vase or can halfway with water, and cut the stem of a single flower or a plant such as a rose, lily, sunflower or bamboo shoot so the stem extends about 2 to 3 inches above the vase opening. Or, cut the stems of different bunches of small-budded flowers such as daises, mums, carnations, hydrangeas and miniature roses so the buds extend right above the can or wide vase opening.

Put a small place mat in the center of the table, if desired. The table mat assists in keeping the centerpiece to scale. You can use a table mat in the same shape of the table. Arrange one can or vase or multiple cans and vases on the place mat in the center of the table, depending on the table size.