• Flower arrangements add color and style to an interior space.Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
  
  Flower arrangements are colorful additions to interior spaces, outdoor parties or formal events. Creating your own flower arrangements gives you the power to design bouquets that perfectly match your color scheme or complement your decor. Knowing the best way to arrange flowers saves you the frustration of dealing with wilting blooms, color clashes or lopsided arrangements.
  
  

Preparing the Flowers

• Preparing flowers is critical to a successful arranging, especially if you are using fresh flowers. If fresh flowers are improperly cut, they will wilt and lose their color more quickly. If you are cutting flowers directly from your garden, harvest them during the coolest part of the day, in either the early morning or after sunset. Cut the flowers with sharp shears, as dull shears may cause additional damage and impair the plant's ability to uptake water in a vase. Cut the flowers as low as possible; you can always trim excess away if the stems are too long. Add an angular cut to the end of the stems right before you are ready to transfer them to a vase. Any leaves below the water line should be discarded as they will only rot in the water and make it cloudy.
  
  

Vessels

• Glass vases are a classic choice for tabletop flower arrangements, but a variety of vessels are suitable options for flower arrangements. If your flowers are particularly tall, or if the stems are soft and flimsy, look for taller vessels that will support the stems and reduce drooping. Smaller, wider bowls are suitable for creating floating arrangements, while colored wine bottles are elegant options for a few small stems. If you are using an antique or porous container, line the inside to both protect your vessel from the water and protect your plants in case the material of the container begins to break down. Plastic wrap is a suitable material for lining the inside of terra cotta planters, vintage ceramic bowls or copper watering cans.
  
  

Supporting Stems

• Fresh flowers and artificial flowers require support to keep the stems upright. Traditional options for supporting stems include flower frogs or floral foam. Though each option is suitable for your arrangements, consider alternatives as well. Water gel packets are crystals that mix with the water in a vase to form a viscous gel that not only stiffens to support the stems, but also delivers water consistently and adds unexpected color to your arrangement.
  
  

The Right Flowers

• Consider the color and texture of your flowers when you are choosing a vessel or companion flowers. A few large flowers like hydrangea or zinnia paired with more delicate baby's breath or yellow oxalis add visual interest by varying both sizes and flower textures. For cohesive bouquets, draw inspiration from the natural environment of your flowers; choose greenery that naturally grows around your central flower to use as filler. Branches, ferns and sprigs of berries are uncommon options for filler flowers that pair well with rustic arrangements.