How to Make Your Own Floral Centerpiece

By
Nicole Steriovski
Nicole Steriovski
Nicole Steriovski is a lifestyle expert and writer offering a decade of professional experience on planning special occasions, events, and parties. She is a Brooklyn-based art director and creative consultant who co-hosts and produces experiential events. Nicole worked on public relations events for major brands including Bon Appétit, One Kings Lane, Condé Nast Traveler, and Ralph Lauren. Nicole also writes for Martha Stewart online.
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Updated on 02/18/20
Flower Arrangement
The final product! Local Creative
Project Overview
  • Total Time: 2 hrs
  • Skill Level: Intermediate
  • Estimated Cost: $30

Whether it's for a Valentine's Day gift or a general pick-me-up, an arrangement of beautiful blooms puts a smile on everyone's face. Sometimes a single stem in a sweet vase will do the trick, but if you want to flex your florist muscle, give this DIY centerpiece a shot. If purchasing your flowers from a flower shop or local farmer's market, inquire about seasonal varieties that last the longest in a vase.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • 1 Flower clippers
  • 1 Low and wide-shaped vessel

Materials

  • 1 bunch Varied greenery
  • 1 bunch Textured flowers and blossom flowers

Instructions

  1. Choose a Vessel

    The shape of your vessel is key in determining the look of your centerpiece. For example, if you choose a long, low-to-the-table bowl, your arrangement might appear to be wild and spilling over. A vase with a long neck will create a more upward-focused arrangement. Choose a design that appeals to you—this example uses a simple low, wide, and round vessel.

    Gathering materials for flower arranging
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  2. Create a Base

    Instead of flower foam (which is not environmentally friendly), try to use the stems to create a structure that will hold up the arrangement. Loosely insert your selected wild greens (like umbrella ferns, olive branches, and bay leaves) in a circular pattern to create an interlocked base for your centerpiece. To make a second layer, place more stems on top, angling them in the opposite direction.

    Inspect the first layers and fill in any negative space with additional greens. If you want to keep your arrangement loose and natural, aim to create an asymmetrical shape with the branches. Also, using greenery of different lengths will create a look that's romantic and wild.

    Flower Arranging in a vase
    Local Creative

  3. Add Textured Flowers

    Now that you've made a base, you can begin to add the textured flowers that will act as a "middle-ground." Proceed to cut your selected blooms (like veronicas, fritillaria, and ranunculus) at different lengths, and then playfully experiment with their placement in varying positions within your vessel.

    adding textured flowers
    Local Creative

  4. Time for Blooms

    Statement flowers like roses, poppies, and peonies can make striking additions to your centerpiece. Begin with placing the blossoms low and close to your chosen vessel, and then proceed to make a spiral by adding longer stems. The tallest stems can create an enchanting silhouette. To get a feel for your work, step back from your arrangement frequently to observe the overall shape.

    Blooms in a vessel
    Local Creative

  5. Edit Your Arrangement

    You can polish and balance your centerpiece by adding greens or change the position of flowers. Push necessary stems back and bring some forward, decisively tweaking the angles that they are positioned.

    Editing your flower arranging
    Local Creative

  6. Presentation

    Now all you need to do is admire your gorgeous centerpiece. If you enjoyed the process of making an arrangement, you can begin to play with more advanced floral design elements like focal point, rhythm, and repetition. You can also try different color palettes and vessels until you find your signature style.

    Final flower arrangement
    Local Creative