The 5 Flower Arrangement Mistakes You’re Making (But Shouldn’t)

To properly put together a beautiful flower arrangement is by no means an easy feat. It requires more than pure passion — though that in itself is as good a start as any, and half the battle won. 

The other half comes from continual learning,  whichis key to mastering the complex art of flower arrangement. The to-learn list is endless: traditional handcrafting techniques; colour harmonization; artful shaping; adapting light and balance; artistic coordination…the list goes on and on.

However, before delving in-depth into expert matter, an important step you’ll need to take in your flower-arranging learning journey is to stop making mistakes that can thwart all your efforts! After all, the easiest way to growth-hack and speed up your progress is to first root out all impediments. 

So, here are five flower arrangement mistakes you’re likely making but absolutely shouldn’t. 

1. Incorrectly Mixing & Matching… 

Colours

Yes, we get it — it’s easy to fall into the trap of using too many different types of flowers, especially when they’re all so beautiful! But you need to focus and pick out the few you want to work with for each of your specific flower arrangement ideas. 

First pick out a ‘flower of focus’ that speaks to you, then hone in on a few additional complementing varieties. There’s no hard rule per se on the number of colours you should use, but three is a good and easy number to stick to.

Keep in mind that your flower arrangement should always have transitioning colours to help bring different hues together. 

The final product then would be three main colours, with a few variations of each (think white, pink, and purple of different shades that blend together). Voilà! 

Flowers that Don’t Get Along

Aside from colour, there’s also the shape and texture of your flowers that you’ll need to consider for your flower arrangement. Be sure to work out a good balance in this regard.

And lastly, certain flowers simply can’t get along — physiologically. For example, putting daffodils and tulips together results in the latter quickly dying off, as a substance secreted by the daffodil is toxic to the tulip. Check on compatibility before finalizing your choices! 

2. Cutting the Stems…

Too Straight

If you’re not using preserved flowers, don’t ever cut your stems straightly horizontal! 

Always give your stems an angled cut such that you maximize its surface area; this will better facilitate your flower arrangement’s hydration system and helps you make sure that there’s no bacterial growth at the bottom of your vase.

Without Varying Lengths

The best flower arrangements consist of flowers with varying heights, with some barely peeking over the vase’s edge and others sticking further out in the forefront. 

Asymmetry also gives off a more natural and wild aesthetic, as opposed to what may end up looking plastic or uncomfortably unnatural. 

3. Arranging Your Blooms Too Loosely

This is an exceptionally important mistake to avoid when it comes to table flower arrangements specifically, though it does generally apply to all forms of flower arrangements.

Instead of loosely arranging your blooms, be sure to have ‘clusters’ of them to make your arrangement more aesthetic and interesting. Special attention should be paid to the elements that lie on the edge of your vase; creating clusters there is bound to give your flower arrangement the wow-factor! 

4. Not Enough Greens

Having natural hues will really bring out the colour in your flowers. Including green in your flower arrangement can easily take it to the next level and allow your floral colours to pop. 

5. Poor Maintenance

And lastly, when using fresh flowers, arrangement maintenance is just as important as the act of arranging itself. In this regard, be sure to:

• remove any foliage that falls below the water level of your vase;

• pluck your stems clean at the base; 

• change the water in your vase every other day;

• use a little flower food to keep your blooms happy; and

• use the right water temperatures for your flower arrangement (though most flowers do well with lukewarm water, flowers such as tulips may like cold water).

Get Started Today!

And there you have it — five common, grave mistakes you can now easily avoid! 

Whether you’re looking for fresh or preserved flowers (or even other floral gifts), The Interior Collections has them all, with same-day flower bouquet delivery available all throughout Singapore. Get yours today!