Having fresh flowers in my home is my favorite form of self-care. If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I often share stories of bright floral arrangements that complement my home-grown greenery. They make me feel happy.
So, every two weeks or so, I head to Trader Joe’s to grab some staples and pick out a few blooms to brighten both my space and my mood.
Though you can grab flowers from any grocery store or your local florist, I prefer to go to Trader Joe’s. They sell pre-arranged bouquets alongside bundles of loose flowers in various colors. Though the bouquets are beautiful, I prefer to grab the loosies. It allows me to be artsy and creative, making the vase my canvas. I also like Trader Joe’s because their flowers are usually already de-thorned and they come with a preservation solution.
I can usually make a good size arrangement that sits on my counter for about $16-$20.
If you’re into flowers as self-care or just want to know how to make a DIY flower arrangement, use this guide to help you get started!
How to make DIY flower arrangements
Gather your materials
- Flowers of choice
- Filler/greenery
- Vase
- Water
- Hand pruner
- Preserving solution
Pick a Vase
Choosing the vessel that will give your flowers a professional look is half the battle. I like to buy clear vases from Michael’s when I’m going for a sleek look. I tend to think that understated clear vases work well when you want your arrangements to serve as a chorus, allowing other design elements to take center stage.
When I want something more unique that stands out, my first stop is usually Home Goods. But of course, it’s all about your preferences and what impact you want your arrangement to have on the space.
Here are some other vase options that may help you decide:
- Clear vases – $(price) at Michael’s
- Ceramic vases
- Mason jars
Experimenting with different types of vases is a good way to upcycle things around the house.
When choosing a vase, you’ll also want to consider size. Some experts suggest making your bouquet about one and half times taller than the vase or container.
Pro tip: Save a little money by holding on to vases from flower arrangements you have received – or will receive – over the years!
Grab Your Blooms
The complexity or simplicity of a flower arrangement depends on a few things, like how creative you’re willing to get, the impression you’re trying to make/experience you’re looking to create, whether you’re on a time crunch or not, and – of course – how much you’re willing to spend.
For this guide, we’ll break it down into one-flower arrangements (simple) and mixed-flower arrangements (slightly more complex).
One-flower arrangements
In my opinion, simple arrangements of only one type of flower are pretty and classic. Grabbing three bunches of one type of flower can give a full, abundant look that costs less than $20.
My favorite blooms for one-flower arrangements:
- Hydrangeas
- Sunflowers
- Peonies
- Roses
Mixed-flower arrangements
Mixed-flower arrangements require a bit more vision. But this isn’t a reality show or some floral fight to the death. When it comes to creating DIY flower arrangements as part of your self-care routine, the only person you need to impress is you!
Here’s a list of my favorite florals for mixed arrangements to pick up at Trader Joe’s:
- Hydrangeas
- Roses
- Spray Roses
- Ranunculus
- Stock
- Mums
- Craspedia – Billy Balls
Get some good greenery (H3)
The point of adding greenery to your DIY flower arrangements is to fill in any gaps, add texture, and make the colors pop. They also help hold your arrangements in place, which is why some experts suggest adding more greenery than you think you need to.
There are many fun options to mix and match with when it comes to greenery. The types vary, but Trader Joe’s usually has at least five or six options at one time. They usually price out around $3.99 and add a nice, finished look to an arrangement.
Types of popular greenery include:
- Ruscus
- Ivy
- Leatherleaf fern
- Dusty miller
- Silver dollar or spiral eucalyptus
- Banana Leaf
- Honey bracelet
- Grevillea
Arranging
The key to a beautiful homemade arrangement is taking the time to move things around until you love it. Turn the vase, looking at it from every angle when placing. Some experts suggest starting with the greenery and adding the flowers from there, but really, just go with what feels right and looks beautiful to you. Also consider things like balance, making sure your blooms and greens are symmetrical on each side. But asymmetrical looks are cool too!
PRO TIP: Changing the water every two days will extend the life of your flowers. My arrangements usually last around 10-12 days.
Arranging
The key to a beautiful homemade arrangement is taking the time to move things around until you love it. Turn the vase, look at it from every angle when placing. Also, remember to cut carefully. You can always make a stem shorter but never longer!
TIP: Changing the water every two days will extend the life of your flowers. My arrangements usually last around 10-12 days.
You really don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for pretty florals, and it’s easy to You really don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for pretty florals, and it’s easy to get in the habit of picking up blooms while grocery shopping. Hopefully this guide was helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or tips to add in the comments below!
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