7 Floral Arrangement Principles

These principles are guidelines to help you, not strict rules. The most important thing is to have fun and let your creativity shine. Each arrangement is a unique expression of your style and personality, so embrace the process and enjoy the beauty of your creation!

Colour Harmony

Start by choosing a color palette that pleases your eye. Here are some simple ways to think about colour combinations.

  • Monochromatic: Stick to one color but use different shades. Imagine a bouquet of all pink flowers ranging from pale blush to deep magenta. This creates a calming and elegant look.
  • Analogous Colours: These are neighbours on the colour wheel, like yellow, orange, and red. They create a harmonious and pleasing look.
  • Complementary Colours: These are opposites on the colour wheel, like blue and orange or purple and yellow. They create vibrant and eye-catching contrasts.
  • Triadic Colours: Use three colors that are evenly spaced on the colour wheel, like red, yellow, and blue. This creates a balanced yet colorful arrangement.

Height Variation

Mixing up the heights of your flowers adds depth and interest:

  • Tall Flowers: These are your focal points. Let them stand proud and tall in the center or slightly off-center.
  • Medium Flowers: These should be slightly shorter and fill in around your tall flowers. They add volume and support.
  • Short Flowers: These go around the edges and help blend the whole arrangement together. They create a soft, cascading effect.

Texture and Shape

  • Smooth and Rough: Mix smooth petals (like roses) with rough or spiky textures (like thistles or eucalyptus) for contrast.
  • Round and Linear: Use round flowers (like peonies or carnations) alongside linear elements (like snapdragons or grasses) to create visual interest.

Focal Point

  • Highlight One Area: Choose a flower or cluster of flowers that stand out as the main attraction. Place them in the center or slightly off-center.
  • Contrast: Use a flower with a contrasting colour or unique shape as your focal point to make it pop.

Balance

Aim for a balanced look without perfect symmetry:

  • Visual Weight: Distribute the visual weight evenly. If you have a heavy cluster of flowers on one side, balance it with lighter, airy flowers on the other.
  • Asymmetry: Arrangements don’t need to be perfectly symmetrical. Asymmetry can create a more natural and interesting design.

Rhythm and Movement

Create a sense of movement that guides the viewer’s eye through the arrangement:

  • Flowing Lines: Use the natural curves of stems and leaves to create flowing lines.
  • Repetition: Repeat certain flowers or colors throughout the arrangement to create rhythm and lead the eye around the bouquet.

Unity and Cohesion

  • Consistency: Stick to your chosen colour scheme and style.
  • Harmony: Make sure all flowers complement each other and create a harmonious overall effect.

Group Exercise

Let's examine this floral arrangement and discuss which principles can be used to improve.

What principles can be improved in this floral arrangement?

This is the exact same flowers but arranged differently!