The art of flower arranging can be tricky – just figuring out where to begin can leave your head spinning. But every party host and guest alike knows that the perfect centerpiece can take a table setting to another level. (And any man who has ever been in the "dog house" knows a beautiful bouquet has the power to smooth things over.)
So how can you bring your arrangements to the next level? The florists at California- and New York-based flower shop BloomThat say the key is to avoid these common mistakes.
1. Using too many kinds of flowers. The florists at BloomThat suggest you start by focusing on the flowers that "speak to you." Once you have those showstoppers selected, hone in on just a few additional varieties to complement them. "You'll end up with a much better looking bouquet if you stop and choose just a few types that go well together."
2. Overly mix-and-matching. "The colors don't need to exactly match," the BloomThat florists say, "but bouquets should ALWAYS have a transition color to bring the different shades together." Plus, think about how you're combining flower shapes and textures – the key is to find a balance.
3. Loosely arranging blooms. When making an arrangement, the word to keep in mind is "cluster." And, at BloomThat, the magic number is three. "Pull a few elements together in clusters of three. They will naturally draw your eye and attention." Bonus tip: Try positioning the clusters at the edge of your vase for added wow-factor.
4. Cutting the stems straight. Don't do it! Instead, be sure to always cut on a bias. "Giving your stems an angled cut creates a 'straw-like' hydration system and ensures no bacteria grows on the bottom of your vase."
5. Not changing the water enough. "Change the water every other day and use a little flower food to keep your blooms happy."
