Easy to Follow Guide to Faux Flower Arranging
How to Arrange Faux Flowers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Faux flowers can be a beautiful and long-lasting way to bring nature into your home. Whether you’re aiming for a natural look or something a little more structured, here’s a simple guide to help you arrange your faux flowers like a pro. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Unbox and Prepare
The first step is to gently take each stem out of the box. Faux flowers can sometimes become a little squashed in transit, so take your time to gently tease the leaves and petals back into their natural shape. This is especially important with larger blooms or leaves, such as eucalyptus or hydrangeas, which often benefit from a little extra attention.
Step 2: Decide on the Height
Next, determine how tall you want your arrangement to be based on the vase you've chosen. You’ll want to ensure your flowers are in proportion to the vase size. Typically, for a balanced look, the height of the flowers should be around one and a half times the height of the vase.
Step 3: Bend the Stems
Unlike real flowers, faux stems often need to be bent to fit into your chosen vase. Begin by bending the stems to match the height you want. Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with height variations, as this will give your arrangement a more natural and less uniform look. Not all the stems need to be exactly the same height!
Step 4: Arrange the Flowers
Once you’ve bent the stems to your desired lengths, it’s time to start arranging. Begin by placing the tallest flowers towards the back or centre of the vase. You can then layer in medium and shorter lengths towards the front and sides to create depth.
Be sure to place the same type of flower at different heights throughout the arrangement to mimic how flowers grow naturally. This trick prevents the arrangement from looking too rigid or artificial.
Step 5: Step Back and Tweak
Once you’ve placed all your stems in the vase, step back and assess your creation. Don’t be afraid to tweak the flowers until you’re happy with the balance and flow of the arrangement.
Tips and Tricks
- Mix textures and colours: When combining different flowers, add variety in textures, shapes, and colours to create a dynamic, eye-catching display.
- Use filler foliage: Adding greenery like faux eucalyptus or fern sprigs can bulk out the arrangement and make it look more natural.
- Odd numbers: Odd numbers of stems often create the most visually appealing arrangements.
FAQs About Faux Flower Arranging
1. How do I clean faux flowers?
Simply dust them with a soft cloth or a hairdryer set to a cool setting. For a deeper clean, wipe each stem gently with a damp cloth.
2. Can I cut faux flower stems?
Yes, most faux flower stems are made from wire and can be cut with wire cutters. This allows you to adjust the height permanently if needed. We would always recommend just bending stems, this way they can be re-used in different vases at a later date if required. Although if you are using a glass vase we would suggest cutting stems, to keep your arrangement looking as realistic as possible.
3. How do I make my faux flowers look real?
Bending the stems, playing with different heights, mixing different types of flowers, and using high-quality faux flowers are key. Also, avoid overly symmetrical arrangements as this can make them look artificial.
4. What type of vase should I use for faux flowers?
A ceramic or glass vase works well for faux flowers. Ensure the vase is in proportion to the height of your stems to create a balanced look.
5. How many flowers should I use in an arrangement?
This depends on the size of your vase and the look you're aiming for. A large vase might need more flowers, while a smaller vase can hold a few well-chosen stems.
Sophie's Top Tip - When purchasing and looking for vases always remember the narrower the neck of the vase the easier it is to create an arrangement. Wider opening vases will require a lot more flowers and can sometimes prove quite tricky when it comes to flower arranging.
Watch our easy to follow faux flower tutorial now
