How to Make Your Own Floral Centerpiece

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.