DIY Dried Flower Arrangements: Foraged arrangement for FREE
This step-by-step guide teaches how to create a beautiful dried flower arrangement using free foraged blooms.
On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Get ready for an exciting adventure with today’s Handcrafted Society post! We’re diving into a creative challenge about using foraged treasures in our projects. If you know me, you know I can’t resist the thrill of foraging for flowers, branches, pods, pine cones—anything nature has to offer, and I think you will love the beautiful projects the girls created this month; they are so beautiful. Let’s see what you can make from the beauty that surrounds us!
DIY Dried Flower Arranging
Dried flower arrangements offer a timeless and versatile charm that brings natural beauty to any space. Unlike fresh flowers, dried blooms retain their elegance for months or even years, making them a sustainable and cost-effective option for your home. Their muted color palette and unique textures create a warm, rustic aesthetic that is perfect for the fall season. Plus, dried flowers require minimal maintenance, making them an ideal choice for those who love the look of a unique arrangement without the upkeep.
The trend of using dried flowers for weddings has grown in popularity, offering a unique and eco-friendly alternative for a wedding bouquet or bridal bouquet. Dried arrangements and pre-made dried flower bouquets not only add a rustic, timeless charm to the celebration but also serve as perfect keepsakes that last long after the special day.
Materials You’ll Need to Make a Dried flower Arrangement
Additional Tools You’ll Need
Gathering Free Flowers and Foliage
If you’re wondering how to make a dried flower arrangement, the best way to enhance your creations is by foraging for natural materials that cost nothing. It’s a beautiful way to get outdoors and discover flower stems, bunny tails, pampas grasses, seed heads, and branches that capture the essence of nature and become the perfect addition to your designs. Gathering these elements adds a personal touch to your free flower arrangement ideas, making the creative process even more meaningful. Foraging not only inspires creativity but also brings the changing seasons into your home, offering endless possibilities for DIY dried flower decor—all without spending a dime and burning a few calories while you are at it.
Finding free flowers for a dried floral arrangement can be a delightful adventure if you know where to look. Start by foraging in your own garden—you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to dry flowers like hydrangeas, sunflowers, baby’s breath, and other beautiful blooms. These are some of the best flowers for drying and make stunning additions to your arrangements. Local parks can provide an abundance of wildflowers, and roadside areas may reveal unexpected treasures. Don’t forget to explore walking paths and hiking trails for fallen branches, pinecones, and other natural elements. When searching for where to find free flowers, always be mindful of local regulations and gather responsibly to protect the environment.
How to Dry Flowers at Home
There are several ways to dry flowers, but here are 4 ways that I have found to be successful for drying flowers at home.
- Air Drying
- Step 1: Gather flower options in small bunches and remove any excess leaves.
- Step 2: Tie the stems together with string or a rubber band.
- Step 3: Hang the bunches upside down in a warm, dark, and well-ventilated space.
- Step 4: Leave them for 2-3 weeks or until completely dry.
- Pressing
- Step 1: Choose flat flowers or remove petals from thicker blooms.
- Step 2: Place the flowers between two sheets of parchment or absorbent paper.
- Step 3: Press with a heavy book or a flower press.
- Step 4: Leave for 2-4 weeks, checking occasionally until fully pressed and dry.
- Silica Gel Drying
- Step 1: Fill a container with silica gel and place flowers upright in the gel, covering them gently.
- Step 2: Seal the container and leave it for 1-2 weeks.
- Step 3: Gently remove flowers and shake off excess gel.
- Microwave Drying with Silica Gel
- Step 1: Place flowers in a microwave-safe dish and cover them with silica gel.
- Step 2: Microwave on low heat for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Allow flowers to cool and remove them carefully from the silica gel.
Tips for caring for your dried flowers
Dried flowers will stand the test of time with a few tips and the proper care.
1. Spray them with hairspray after drying. This helps keep them from shedding.
2. Keep your floral arrangements out of direct sunlight to keep the colors deep and vibrant.
3. Store them in a dry and cool location when you are not using them.
Tip from wendy’s craft room:
To maintain the color of preserved dried flowers, lightly mist them with a UV-protectant spray. This helps to shield the flowers from fading caused by light exposure, keeping their colors fresh and vibrant for a longer time.
Arranging your dried flowers
Creating a beautiful flower arrangement involves understanding a few basic principles: color, texture, height, and balance. Start by incorporating a variety of colors to create visual interest and appeal, mixing bold hues with softer shades for a harmonious effect. Using different textures, like combining delicate petals with more rugged foliage, adds depth and dimension. Arrange flowers at different heights to create a dynamic flow, guiding the eye through the display and adding visual movement. Finally, balance is key—distribute the elements evenly to ensure the arrangement feels stable and cohesive, making the most of the different heights and variety of colors.
Choose your flower container
I used an old vase I picked up at a yard sale. but there are plenty of options that you probably have at home you can use, Here are a few creative tips for using household items as vases or bases for your flower arrangements:
- Mason Jars, Ceramic Vase or Bottles: Repurpose glass jars, wine bottles, or vintage containers for a rustic look.
- Teacups and Teapots: Use small teacups or teapots for whimsical, unique arrangements.
- Pitchers and Watering Cans: Old pitchers or metal watering cans add a farmhouse-style charm.
- Tin Cans and Tins: Clean tin cans make great rustic vases for wildflowers.
- Baskets: Line a basket with plastic or use a jar inside for a garden-inspired display.
These everyday items add character and creativity to any floral arrangement!
Adding support for your flowers
If your container allows for the use of a flower frog, feel free to use one. Since my container had a narrow neck, I started by placing a piece of styrofoam on top of it to support the arrangement.
Cut the styrofoam to fit your container.
Using floral pins or hot glue cover the styrofoam with moss.
Create a base structure
Begin by adding dried curly willow and eucalyptus to your container to create height and structure for your arrangement. These elements provide a sturdy base and a natural framework, giving you a shape to build around. The curly willow adds interesting texture and movement with its twisting branches, while the eucalyptus adds a fresh, earthy scent. Together, they create a balanced foundation, allowing you to layer in other dried flowers and foliage to complete your arrangement with depth and dimension.
Add other tall foliage
I selected a bunch of dried red eucalyptus leaves and incorporated them into the arrangement to add a striking contrast of color.
You can see how the arrangement is beginning to take shape, coming to life with layers of texture and bursts of color.
Filler flowers
Cudweed is a beautiful dried flower native to California that resembles baby’s breath. It’s easy to find along the roadside and simple to cut. With its soft, delicate texture and small size, Cudweed makes an excellent arrangement filler. I like to start with a base, then add my large flowers, and come back and add more.
Adding the large flowers
Next, I incorporated a few dried sunflowers to create a striking contrast of texture and color. Then, I added several large, dried hydrangeas, their muted tones beautifully capturing the essence of the fall season.
Final details
Finally, I added a bit more Cudweed and some California buckwheat, which gives the arrangement a beautiful rusty red color and delicate texture, perfect for the fall season.
How to Make a Dried Flower Arrangement
How to Make A Dried Flower Arrangement with Foraged Flowers
Learn how to create a beautiful dried flower arrangement using free foraged blooms with this step-by-step guide.
Materials
- One flower vase of your choice
- A flower frog or some styrofoam to hold the flowers in place
- Dried flowers of your choice
- Dried branches or curly willow
- Dried leaves
- Moss
Tools
- Clippers
- Floral pins
- Glue gun
Instructions
- Choose your flower container—I used an old vase I picked up at a yard sale, but there are plenty of options you can use that you probably have at home.
- Create a base to hold your flowers -If your container allows for the use of a flower frog, feel free to use one. Since my container had a narrow neck, I started by placing a piece of styrofoam on top of it to support the arrangement.
- Create a base structure- Add dried curly willow and eucalyptus to your container to create height and structure for your arrangement. These elements provide a sturdy base and a natural framework, giving you a shape to build around. The curly willow adds interesting texture and movement with its twisting branches, while the eucalyptus adds a fresh, earthy scent. Together, they create a balanced foundation, allowing you to layer in other dried flowers and foliage to complete your arrangement with depth and dimension.
- Add other tall foliage- I selected a bunch of dried red eucalyptus leaves and incorporated them into the arrangement. Their vibrant hue added a striking contrast of color, bringing a pop of excitement to the arrangement.
- Filler flowers—Cudweed is a beautiful dried flower native to California that resembles baby's breath. It's easy to find along the roadside and simple to cut. With its soft, delicate texture and small size, Cudweed makes an excellent arrangement filler. I like to start with a base, add my large flowers, and return to add more.
- Add large flowers- I incorporated a few dried sunflowers to create a striking contrast of texture and color. Then, I added several large, dried hydrangeas, their muted tones beautifully capturing the essence of the fall season.
- Final details- I added a bit more Cudweed and some California buckwheat, which gives the arrangement a beautiful rusty red color and delicate texture, perfect for the fall season.
Other Fall Projects from WM Design House
If you love this dried flower arrangement, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite fall ideas:
Fall Outdoor Tablescape DIY : Simple and Beautiful Ideas
How to Make a DIY Rope Wreath For the Fall Season
Fall Vignette with Old Books and Vintage finds
I hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into my latest creation with the Hand Crafted Society, where we celebrate creativity and the art of handmade design. Working alongside a talented group of bloggers is always inspiring, and I always look forward to sharing these project with you. Be sure to check out the incredible posts from my fellow bloggers below for more unique ideas, DIY tips, and beautiful inspiration. There’s so much creativity to discover, so don’t miss out!
Did you make this craft?
We would love to see what you have created, so mention us @wmdesignhouse or tag us using #wmdesignhouse so we can see your creations!
More about me!
Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.
All of your arrangements are gorgeous, Wendy! I loved learning all of the different ways to dry flowers. I’m looking outdoors with new eyes for free decor!
Gorgeous dried flowers Wendy! I like the idea of using styrofoam as a base to create the arrangement. Such a helpful tip, and one I will put to good use. Thank you for the lovely inspiration my friend!
Oh Wendy! I absolutely love this. I love using died flowers and naturally dry some around the house but it was great learning all the other techniques you shared here. Hope all is well. XO- MaryJo
Wendy, this is such a gorgeous flower arrangement and the fact it was free makes it even better! The dried flowers are perfect for fall. Thanks for sharing all your great tips!
Stunning, Wendy!! Love all of the different colors and textures…so perfect for the season!
All these layers of texture are gorgeous, Wendy! I’ve never tried to dry my own flowers but I’ve always wanted to so I really appreciate the simple directions. It feels like the perfect way to transition from summer to fall. Big hugs and thanks for all you do to put these fabulous hops together, CoCo
Wendy, your flower arrangement is pretty, and love that it was made with items from the yard. You have to love free!