Flower Arranging Tips for DIY Dreamers

Planning to dive into a bucket of blooms and create your own magic? First of all — we’re so here for it. There’s nothing better than rolling up your sleeves, grabbing some flowers, and making something wildly beautiful with your own two hands.

Whether you’re designing for a wedding, a shower, or just your kitchen table, here are a few of our best tips for making your DIY flowers shine:

1. Start With Clean Vases and Tools

Before you touch a single flower, wash your vases (or buckets, mason jars, wine glasses — you get the idea). Use hot, soapy water or a splash of bleach. Clean tools = happy, long-lasting flowers. (And trust me, nothing says "oops" like a bacteria party in a pretty vase.)

2. Give Stems a Fresh Cut

When you bring your flowers home, snip about an inch off the bottom of every stem at a sharp angle. Fresh cuts help them drink better — which keeps your flowers looking lively and less like they just pulled an all-nighter.

3. Strip Those Leaves

Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline in your vase. Leaves in water = bacteria = sad, wilted flowers.

4. Build a Base First

Start with your greenery and filler flowers. These guys are your scaffolding — they create the shape and movement of your arrangement and make it way easier to tuck in your showstopper blooms later.

5. Cluster for Impact

Instead of scattering one of everything everywhere, cluster similar flowers together. Group 2–3 of the same flower or color side-by-side for a lush, natural look. Think "nature, but on purpose."

6. Play With Height

Don’t cut everything the same length! Mix tall, medium, and short stems to add depth and drama. If you want that effortless garden feel, uneven = awesome.

7. Turn the Vase As You Work

Every few stems, turn your vase to make sure your arrangement looks good from all angles. (Or at least the angles your guests are going to see while they ooh and aah.)

8. Don't Overthink It

Flowers are naturally beautiful — you honestly can't mess this up. Lean into the imperfections, have fun, and trust your instincts. The best arrangements feel wild, joyful, and a little bit like they just wandered in from a meadow.

9. Keep Them Cool

Once you're finished arranging, keep your flowers out of direct sunlight, away from heaters, and in a cool-ish spot until party time. (A good rule of thumb: If your cat is sunbathing there, it’s too hot.)

Final Thought:

Flowers aren’t supposed to be perfect — they’re supposed to be alive. So sip your coffee (or champagne?), turn on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the process. You’re creating something uniquely yours, and that’s pretty amazing.