If I could, I would have fresh flowers in every room of my house. They add color and texture and scent and life and always make a room feel more lived in and complete.
Gorgeous flower arrangements can be super expensive so I typically just find what I like at my grocery store and use a trick my mother-in-law taught me about making inexpensive bouquets look fancy.
This bunch of fall mums was on sale for $2.99 and just too good of a deal to pass up.
The temptation is to just cut off the ends of the stems and plop them in a vase, like this:
But resist.
With just a few extra minutes you can instead get this:
Cut short and bunched closely together, these mums look elegant and the blooms become the stars of the show (rather than the distracting stems).
Start by choosing your vessel. I used an old silver sugar bowl from the thrift store (my mother-in-law is the thrifter and she passes her finds on to me. I’m one lucky lady). I love using unconventional vases – especially short ones with larger openings for this mounding-of-blooms look. Scavenge through your cabinets to see if you have anything that will work or head to the thrift store and you’ll likely find something clever. And if all else fails, a quick trip to a home store (home goods, target, etc) will likely provide you with a vessel just right.
Fill it with water. Someone once told me lukewarm water was the way to go with flowers. Not sure if that is true, but I always stick to it.
Now trim the stems way down so the blooms hit just to the top of your vase.
It will feel like you’re cutting off half of the bouquet you just spent your money on, but do it anyway.
Gather up a bunch and add them to the vase. Adjust the blooms until they create a mound, adding in extra blooms to fill in.
See?! Super easy. Suddenly a $2.99 grocery bouquet becomes and intentional, delicate arrangement that makes a statement.
I added these to my office and as I sit at my computer, I am cheered by their beauty.
(and how cute is that little drawing Audrey made?!)
Maybe today you can treat yourself to an inexpensive bunch of grocery store flowers and make them look fancy with this cut-and-bunch arranging trick.
Hi! Would you mind telling my who made this sugar bowl? It is almost exactly like my grandmothers that I have been searching for! Thanks so much!
My family is coming to dinner tomorrow for my mom’s birthday. Great idea for adding a little fall to the house. I think I’ll make an extra so she can take one home!!
What an amazing difference that makes. I am definitely trying this! I love flowers but they are soooo expensive when you get the fancy arrangements! It’s amazing what just a choice of vase and bit of arranging can do. Thanks for the tip!
Great post. I am actually a floral designer and love this idea. Funny story….I had a knee replacement and for about two months after my surgery my family and friends were fabulous. They brought meals and flowers and gifts. Of all the beautiful floral arrangements I received, the one that touched my heart the most was a mason jar filled with daisies. So simple but so sweet. I love that you placed your mums at your desk…what a great way to put a smile on your face. Flowers are a girls best friend!
I live in Austria, and quite honestly, some of the most beautiful flower arrangements can be found at the gas station in our little town. I’m always surprised how fresh they look! And I love the look you’re shown here. Will have to remember that next time I buy flowers.
This looks so pretty! A room with flowers in it really looks so much more beautiful than a room without flowers, right? Sadly, flowers are much more expensive where I live. I guess I would still pay 13$ for a bunch like the one you used, so I only buy (or get) flowers for special occasions :-(
Beautiful! I just figured this trick out a month ago by accident and now I’m buying cheap flowers every time I grocery shop! It makes me so happy, who would have ever thought such a small change and a few dollars could change my view of DIY flowers… : )
You sound like you have an amazing mother-in-law!! I’m a thrifter too so I think I’d get along good with her. ?
I really love this before and after. Amazing what a small change can make! I often buy bunches of flowers for decorating cakes, and keep the extras around to make the room pretty.
right?! And I do adore flowers on cakes, too!
Such a great tip!!!!
I love that silver vase! What a gorgeous idea!
Her Heartland Soul
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I use this trick with roses too- makes such a difference!
Thanks for the neat little tip that makes such a big statement. I’m actually looking forward to purchasing some flowers to I can try this out :)
What a fantastically wonderful post. Yes. I share your feelings about flowers and this made me smile. Thank you for the wonderful advice!
It’s like this post was written for me! I am always cutting my flowers the first way and then wondering why they look so pitiful. Thanks for the tip!
You’re welcome! They look so great cut short :)
Flowers were already on my mind this morning but now I’m definitely going to have to stop by the store on my way home to pick some up! Thanks for this amazing tip, Emily!