Since I was a young girl, I’ve always admired the beauty and timelessness of flower bouquets. From the simple bundles found at Trader Joe’s to the lush, extravagant arrangements found in a local florist shop, florals have always stood out to me as a beautiful way to brighten a space and invite a piece of a garden indoors.
I vividly remember visiting the south of France and wandering by an outdoor market that was very aesthetically set on a brick lane. Lining the walkway were bundles of fresh, dreamy flower arrangements and blooms, wrapped delicately in brown paper and tied with ribbon. This very certain occasion, as well as other events, has truly cemented an admiration for the art of floral design within me, and I now wish to constantly have a bouquet on my bedside every week.
After realizing there is a floral design course on my college campus, I decided to enroll. Though the class has unfortunately come to an end, I have learned much about arranging flowers, including the tools utilized, the care of florals and greenery, the elements of creating a proper arrangement, as well as careers within the floriculture field. Inspired by both the course and growing adoration of this art form, I felt compelled to share why flower arranging is a lovely hobby to pursue, along with beginner-friendly tips to create the most lovely design. Especially since it is the midst of springtime!
Five reasons why floral arranging is a valuable hobby
Starting off, I personally found that my floral design course was a very therapeutic and calming way to start my Wednesday mornings — even though I was often in a time crunch. Having done floral arranging in my personal time as well, I think putting on some relaxing music and creating an elegant design is a very meditative, creative outlet to partake in. It truly offers time to produce a beautiful, natural piece of decor, while providing the opportunity to clear your head and reflect.
Next, similarly to pastimes such as painting or sewing, floral design provides an opportunity to create something tangible with your own hands. I have always found it satisfying to be able to step back and admire a piece that you completely designed yourself and feel proud of the beautiful item that you have created.
Along with that, I feel that one of the loveliest parts of floral arranging is the ability to create a natural piece that can be completely customized for someone you truly care about. I truly look forward to making designs for my loved ones for celebrations and events because it feels very personal. For example, the thought of creating a decorative bouquet completely by hand with a partner’s favorite flowers and greenery is so dreamy and romantic, versus just a traditional arrangement found at the store.
Moving on, designing floral arrangements definitely provides the opportunity to appreciate and connect oneself to nature in such a unique and intentional manner. I believe taking the time to work with various blooms and greenery will demonstrate the beauty of colors, textures and forms that can be found in nature. As I stated previously, I love the feeling of bringing a piece of a garden indoors and that is what floral arranging truly embodies.
Lastly, I cannot express through words how strongly I feel that a floral design can bring such life and personality to a space. My bedroom now holds quite a few customized bouquets, as well as a corsage and pressed blooms on my pinboard. These pieces, which serve as lovely decor additions, truly put a smile on my face every time I see them and bring warmth to the space overall.
Though I believe a generic arrangement brings much excitement to a space as well, I personally think nothing compares to a handmade arrangement that is tailored perfectly to your personality. I am quite a fan of lilies and hydrangeas, so those fill a lot of the vases in my bedroom.
Beginner-friendly floral arranging tips
There are a plethora of tidbits and tips that I could share that I have both personally learned and researched regarding the subject of floral design. I highly recommend taking a course either in school or out, or finding a video online to follow along when creating an arrangement. It is truly so helpful to obtain a hands-on opportunity when it comes to creating any form of art to gather as much knowledge on the subject as possible. In addition to this, there are ten practical and unique tips that I have learned regarding the art of floral design and effectively caring for the blooms that I thought I would share.
- Utilize clean and sharp shears, ensuring a 45-degree cut on each floral stem to keep blooms alive longer and healthier.
- Remove all foliage on stems that will be in the vase; this will keep the water clean and extend the plant’s lifespan.
- Begin the arrangement with a strong greenery base, for it will support florals and create the overall structure and shape of the design.
- Consider the height and width when creating the arrangement; this will guarantee visual and actual balance of the whole creation.
- Create a color scheme, such as implementing monochromatic or complementary colors, as it will lead to a cohesive and intentional design.
- Make a vase with your hand, utilize floral foam, or implement chicken wire when designing a floral arrangement to create a balanced and secure design. This technique allows for all angles of the arrangement to be seen and perfected before cutting the stems and placing them in the vase.
- Consistently change the floral water (at least every two days) and check that it is room temperature, increasing the lifespan of the blooms and various greenery elements.
- Utilize a large variety of textures to enhance the floral design, such as rose blooms mixed with thistle and eucalyptus.
- A filler flower, such as limonium or baby’s breath (my personal favorite), will add volume and perfectly finish up a floral arrangement with a “natural garden-look.”
- Any form of pretty ribbon tied around the vase will tie the whole floral arrangement together, especially with the right chosen color.
Overall, I personally feel that floral arranging is truly such a fulfilling and therapeutic hobby to partake in. The art of picking out the ideal vase, blooms and greenery, and the act of creating a beautiful, dreamy design from them, feels like such a lovely addition to any day. With these helpful tips, as well as the implementation of unique artistic spins, anyone can create a floral arrangement that feels personal and perfectly suited for themselves or a loved one. In the end, it is a romantic and timeless way to bring a touch of a garden indoors, while offering calming and mindful benefits along the way.