One of the things I talk about a lot when it comes to styling are plants, florals and branches. Really anything to bring the outside in. There’s a layer of color, texture and dimensions that they bring to a room that will help the space to feel more complete. But sometimes real plants aren’t the best option for our lifestyles.
In our recent project, homeowners Aspyn + Parker, mentioned to us that they really couldn’t keep real plants alive. Considering that they are on the go a lot of the time! So we found them a couple of small indoor plants that required moderate sunlight and only once a month watering. And for the rest of the home? We decided to create some beautiful dried arrangements.
Now I will say this, inspiration for dried arrangements are hard to come by. Maybe they aren’t really trending and we’re ahead of the curve, who knows. But I have six dried arrangements in my small house alone! And not only that, we used dried florals in my wedding, which you can view more of by clicking here. So it’s easy to say they have brought me a lot of joy and purpose over the years.
So let’s talk about dried arrangements. One of the questions I get a lot is: “where do I find them?” And my first response to that is always, “get outside!” You’d be amazed what you can find when you’re actually looking. Beautiful grasses, wildflowers and I’m not even kidding… weeds! I’d like to bet a couple of the arrangements I have at home are just weeds haha. I am constantly clipping away at the bounteous nature around me, bringing them home and seeing what works over time.
Now let’s talk about the drying process. Depending on where you live, nature may be able to do this for you. For example, Utah gets all four seasons. So the best time to go out and gather the pretty dried stuff is fall or winter, after it’s been beaten by the harsh sun or snow. But there is a way of drying on your own too! And it’s easy peasy. Just note that not all flowers dry well, so in the beginning this may be a bit of an experiment for you. But I will say, hydrangeas, peonies, baby’s breath, statice and straw flowers all dry beautifully.
The Drying Process
Once you have your flowers gathered, start by stripping away any leaves or outer petals that are damp, wilted or discolored.
Next, grab some twine and tie a knot near the end of your flower stem. Flowers will need to be hung upside down from a clothing rack, coat rack or hooks. Multiple flowers can be hung from the same spot, but the flowers need to remain three to five inches away from each other, so cut your twine at various lengths as needed.
Lastly, leave them hanging and undisturbed for three weeks to allow proper drying.
The Essentials For Gathering + Drying:
To Protect Your Hands From Thorns + Slivers While Snipping
For Snipping The Smallest To Toughest Of Stems
To Carry Your Florals While You Source + Preserve Your Car From A Big Mess
For Hanging Your Florals To Dry And Properly Preserving
Now it’s time to share our favorite dried floral arrangement inspo! Below you’ll find three different looks + sizes for you to take note from. So whether you’re looking to create an entry console piece, complete your mantle styling, add a centerpiece to your dining table or other, we hope these images can serve your creativity well! And if you need some extra florals to add in with your stash, we’ve rounded up some great similar online buys!
OR Shop These Pretty Stand Alone Options:
Because if you’re anything like me, you may be wondering if you’re really talented enough to craft your own arrangement. Although it is easier (in my opinion) to work with dried florals, it will take quite a bit of effort. Especially if you’re a perfectionist like I am! So if something more simple + minimal sounds more appealing to you instead, try one of the options linked below! These will look great standing alone in any vase for the perfect finishing touch. We promise!