How to Create Focal Points in Floral Arrangements

Create Focal Points in Floral Arrangements

The area of an arrangement that draws the eye and focuses attention is known as its focal point. This can be accomplished in many ways, from the use of flowers with unique form and intense color to the inclusion of interesting foliage or accessories such as stones or sticks. Focal points are also often created by creating contrast in size between the focal point and surrounding blooms. The use of contrasting textures is another way to draw the eye to focal points, with blooms like fuzzy celosias and ruffled ranunculus providing an obvious example.

Often the use of a focal point is accompanied by the inclusion of other elements that contribute to the overall design. Some of these may be referred to as supporting flowers or foliage and can include flowers and/or branches that are similar in color, shape or texture. Other supporting flowers may be arranged in clusters of three or more to add texture, color and depth to the composition. Finally, the addition of unique accessories such as rocks, fruit, a piece of wood or even a candle can serve to attract attention.

A floral designer may also employ a technique referred to as framing, which is the placement of flowers or lines of foliage that encircle an entire composition and provide emphasis. In general, a floral designer will aim to create a pattern of movement throughout the arrangement. Incorporating this rhythm will compel the viewer to move their eyes from the focal point out to the edges of the design and then back again. This is the essence of the concept of visual balance, which essentially refers to how evenly balanced an arrangement appears at first glance.

How to Create Focal Points in Floral Arrangements

To help create a sense of balance, it is important for the florist to understand both physical and visual balance. Physical balance refers to how evenly distributed the weight of materials within an arrangement is. This can be tricky, as heavy blossoms and branches can place additional stress on the structure of the arrangement. When a floral arrangements near me is too heavy, it will quickly lose its shape and begin to fall over.

Using the appropriate type of floral foam or another sturdy base will ensure that an arrangement has sufficient support. The choice of a vase or other container should also be made carefully. The container will need to be large enough to hold the flowers and have adequate drainage to prevent water retention issues.

It should also be clear so that the floral arrangements can be easily seen by the viewer. Finally, the use of a mirror can be helpful in determining how well an arrangement is positioned and balanced before it is assembled. Using the mirror may also allow the florist to catch any erroneous positioning of an element before it is permanently placed in the arrangement. This step is important to make sure that the final composition looks natural, well proportioned and attractive. A florist should always strive for this level of balance in every arrangement they create.