Anyone can place a handful of flowers in a vase, but arranging them beautifully requires a little more thought and technique. A well-designed floral arrangement not only creates a stunning centerpiece but also ensures that the flowers stay fresh and vibrant for longer.

With some basic tips and careful preparation, you can arrange flowers like a pro. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create gorgeous floral bouquets.

Step 1: Choose a Flower Arrangement Design

Begin by selecting a color scheme for your arrangement. This will guide your flower choices and help them complement each other. You can go for a monochromatic look, which highlights various shades of the same color, or opt for complementary colors to create a striking contrast. There’s no right or wrong here—just go with what appeals to you. Moss suggests selecting flowers based on what’s blooming in your garden or what’s available at your local market. Keep an open mind and pick flowers with different growth patterns, shapes, and sizes to create a harmonious blend.

Step 2: Cut and Prepare Flowers

Once you’ve picked your flowers, resist the urge to start arranging immediately. First, remove any extra leaves and damaged petals from the stems. If there are any smaller buds on the same stem as a full flower, cut those off as well. After cleaning the stems, make a fresh diagonal cut at the bottom to allow for better water absorption. Place the freshly trimmed stems into a vase or bucket with water and flower food. This will keep them hydrated while you prepare for the arrangement.

Step 3: Choose a Vessel

The vessel you choose is just as important as the flowers themselves. Some flowers, like tulips, benefit from the support of a straight-sided vase, while taller or top-heavy flowers may require a more weighted container. In addition to traditional vases, you can use woven baskets for a natural touch. If you go this route, line the basket with a plastic container to hold water and keep the flowers in place.

Step 4: Prepare Your Flower Vase

Before adding flowers, it’s important to prepare the vase. To create a stable foundation, use floral tape to make a grid over the top of the vase. This will help hold the stems in place. Alternatively, you can use a floral frog, which has pins to secure the stems. If you don’t have one, you can easily make a DIY floral frog with a small ball of chicken wire.

Step 5: Create a Base with Greenery

Start your arrangement by adding greenery, such as eucalyptus, ivy, or fern fronds. Use these to create an inverted triangular shape, which will provide both horizontal and vertical presence to your bouquet. Be sure to recut the stems before adding them to the vase for better water absorption.

Step 6: Add Focal Flowers

Focal flowers are typically the largest or most eye-catching blooms in your arrangement. Add them in odd numbers for a more natural, less symmetrical look. Be sure to position the focal flowers in a way that avoids having them stick out too far to the sides—this will help keep them looking strong and perky.

Step 7: Add Filler Flowers

Now, it’s time to add smaller flowers and textural elements around the focal blooms. Place these filler flowers in a way that fills all angles of the arrangement, helping to create a rounded, dome-like shape. Cluster smaller flowers in groups of three or five, as this mirrors natural groupings found in nature.

Step 8: Finish the Arrangement

To finish, add delicate flowers such as baby’s breath, sedum, or yarrow as the final touches. These lighter blooms should go in last to avoid being crushed by the heavier flowers. To enhance the freshness of the arrangement, lightly spritz the flowers with water to mimic morning dew. Don’t forget to regularly check the water level in the vase to keep your flowers hydrated and looking their best.

With these simple steps, anyone can create a beautiful and long-lasting floral arrangement. Once you’ve mastered the basics, flower arranging becomes a fun and rewarding activity.