Design Elements for Flower Arrangements

Place a bunch of flowers in a vase, and they are almost guaranteed to look lovely. That’s because plants on their own are beautiful to look at. But is it art? If you want to elevate your arrangement to professional status, then it’s essential to follow these design elements.
Line
With floral arrangements, “line” is the visual path your eye follows along the design. They don’t need to be tall and straight — floral lines are often curving or zigzagging and may include a single stem or a variety bunched together. You want the line of the arrangement to link the spaces between two points to guide the eye over the design in pleasing ways. It helps the piece feel cohesive.
Color
Color is one of the most essential elements for setting the mood of your arrangement. It provides life and personality to each piece, and the right colors can make even poorly arranged flowers seem visually pleasing.
As you plan an arrangement, think through colors that work together within the bouquet and in the larger space. This will help the display look grounded and cohesive.
Form
Defined as the shape of the individual components within an arrangement, the forms within it need to combine in interesting ways to have a successful bouquet. You want them to look cohesive without being monotonous.
Flowers should stand out on their own while still appearing to be part of one or more prominent designs. It’s a tricky balance, but getting it right will elevate your arrangements to professional levels.
Space
Florists need to think through both positive and negative space within their designs. Oftentimes, the areas without materials can have just as much of a visual impact as the parts with plant material. Ikebana designs are a classic example of utilizing negative space.
Texture
Memorable floral arrangements will highlight textures that either contrast or complement each other. Think about the surface quality of each element. Rose petals offer a luxurious velvety texture, while zinnia and marigolds give off soft, fuzzy vibes. Adding some greenery will further boost the texture range.
Pattern
Defined as a repeated combination of line, form, color, texture, or other design elements, patterns can add a sense of intentionality to a floral arrangement.
Size
As the measurement of the amount of space an arrangement takes up, size is a design element that’s often an afterthought. However, the wrong scale between elements in a bouquet, or worse yet, the arrangement and the space where it’s displayed, will make it look out of place. You need to think through the size and proportions of each element to ensure everything is visually pleasing at a glance.
Fragrance
Finally, scent is an underrated element in floral design. Choosing blooms with powerful fragrances ensures the arrangement will impact two of the five senses and create a more powerful impression on those who experience it.