A floral arrangement is something most people take for granted. So often, floral bouquets are already made up when we buy them. There is a lot of work and effort that goes into making these arrangements to make them look so appealing. Perhaps you are interested in putting together a bouquet on your own. To do so effectively, there are some basic design principles need to be taken into account. Using these guidelines, you, too, can create a thing of beauty.
In this article, we discuss:
* Arrangements by Color
* Arrangements by Shape
* Arrangements by Texture
* Arrangements by Season
* Arrangements by Flower
Arrangements by Color
When arranging flowers, one of the first things to consider is the color scheme. It is essential to include only colors that work together. There are specific colors that look nice when paired up while others look terrible together. For example, purple and yellow look great together. Purple and yellow are deemed to be complementary colors. This means they are very different but bring out the best in each other. Their deep hues compliment the brightest aspects of each color.
Color should also be considered in accordance with the occasion. For example, flowers are very popular decor for a wedding. Most weddings have a specific color scheme. These colors should then be reflected in the wedding bouquets and arrangements. The same is true for other occasions. Perhaps you need to arrange flowers for a sympathy bouquet. Oftentimes white flowers are used here. This color scheme gives off the feeling of sorrow, which may be exactly the message you are trying to deliver. Using bright and happy colors for this occasion may be considered insensitive or inappropriate.
Arrangements by Shape
The shape of an overall bouquet is a vital factor when arranging flowers. Consider what the overall shape is supposed to be. There are many different shapes for bouquets and arrangements. A few popular ones are cascade, wreath, round, and posy. Each type has its own style and characteristics.
Cascade designs can be used as both handheld bouquets or for more extensive floral arrangements. In this style, the flowers are meant to look like a waterfall. The greenery or the flowers themselves spill over the sides of the vase to create a dramatic effect.
Wreaths are a popular choice for funerals. With floral wreaths the flowers are arranged in tight concentric circles to create the look of a wreath. Often, wreaths style arrangements are mounted on a wire base or frame to create the overall shape. Additionally, wreath styles may need some kind of stand or structure to hang on so that they can be displayed.
Round bouquets are all about the shape. As the name suggests, the shape here is very round. Often, this style is made up of only one color and only one type of flower.
Posy arrangements are one of the most classic styles for a bridal bouquet. They are often round in shape, but they are not as tightly arranged as the round bouquet. This type of bouquet is made mostly of flowers with minimal greenery. Posy arrangements tend to be tied at the base with a ribbon to help create a romantic appearance.
Arrangements by Texture
The texture is an important style element to any floral arrangement. Texture refers to the way to components of the bouquet look and feel. For example, some flowers have a very fine texture. This could be a type of flower that has lots of very narrow and thin petals, like a chrysanthemum. The opposite would be a flower with more broad petals, like a lily. Depending on the overall look, it is acceptable to choose only one texture scheme or to use several to balance each other out.
Texture can also be reflected in the greenery or filler of the bouquet. Some fillers, like ferns, have a much finer texture. The same can be said about plants like baby’s breath. These both work well to offset bold or broad textured flowers. Fillers like eucalyptus branches have a broader texture. They can be used to complement broad blooms or to contrast finer flowers.
Arrangement by Season
A huge trend in floral arrangements is season bouquets. In this style, flowers that are naturally in bloom during a specific time are used. For example, tulips and Easter lilies are very popular for springtime bouquets. Peonies and forsythia branches are also popular at this time. Using flowers that are in season can be a great way to cut costs on an arrangement. These flowers are more accessible during their bloom type and therefore tend to cost less.
A considerable element of seasonal arrangements is color. Every season has colors associated with it. Fall colors are oranges, deep reds, and yellows. Winter is red, white, and green. Spring is usually associated with pastels, whereas summer colors are bright and vibrant. The flowers in a seasonal arrangement are typically made up of these color schemes. This helps add the overall effect of a seasonal arrangement.
Arrangements by Flower
It is possible to arrange flowers based on a specific type of bloom. Perhaps you have an abundance of one particular flower, or maybe you just really love a distinct flower. No matter the reason, it is perfectly acceptable to create an arrangement based on that bloom. When this is the case, it is your goal to highlight the flower and make it the focal point of the bouquet. This can be done by repeating the flower many times in the arrangement. It can also be done by using only that bloom and adding just greenery to the bouquet.
Final Thoughts
There are many elements to arranging a lovely bouquet of flowers. If you are new to the game, consider starting with just one style principle. This gives you the time to understand the ins and outs of each element. Once you get more comfortable, consider using two or three aspects as the guiding principles for your design. A well-experienced florist can use multiple design characteristics to create a practical arrangement. With time and patience, you too can arrange a beautiful bouquet of flowers.