Dried flowers have become increasingly popular over the recent years. They are a fantastic way to preserve the beauty of flowers and use them for decorative purposes long after the fresh flowers would have wilted. Dried flowers can last for years if properly dried and stored. Their muted, natural colors and delicate textures make them perfect for all kinds of crafts, decor projects, and gifting ideas. Here are some great ways to use dried flowers around your home and for gifting:
Crafting
Dried flowers are extremely versatile when it comes to crafting. Their lightweight, delicate nature makes them perfect for embellishing all sorts of projects. Here are some fun crafts you can create with dried flowers:
Wreaths – Dried flowers like lavender, baby’s breath, statice, strawflowers, etc. can be made into beautiful wreaths for front doors, walls, and table centers. Simply arrange on a wreath form or foam base. Spray with hairspray to preserve.
Potpourri – Mix your favorite dried flower petals like roses, peonies, carnations with dried citrus slices, herbs, and essential oils in a glass jar for fragrant potpourri.
Sachets – Place dried flower petals and potpourri ingredients into cloth sachets. Tie with a ribbon and place in drawers for lovely aromas.
Decorative candles – Adorn pillar candles or tea lights with dried flowers by attaching stems with hot glue. Try wrapping flowers around the candle or clustering them on top.
Paperweights – Dried flowers like roses and lavender paired with decorative stones or crystals make beautiful paperweights. Use clear drying silica sand in a glass container.
Cards – Glue pressed dried flowers onto greeting cards or make your own notecards. Ferns, leaves, and wildflowers work great.
Dried flower pictures – Create flower pictures by arranging dried petals and flowers on cardstock or canvas in shadowbox frames. Spray with sealant.
Potpourri jars – Layer dried flowers, herbs, spices, and essential oils in glass jars to make fragrant potpourri jars. Tie with raffia or ribbon.
Decorative boxes – Glue pressed flowers onto jewelry, trinket, or keepsake boxes. Try using ferns or wildflowers.
Bookmarks – Adorn bookmarks with dried flower clusters or pressed flowers. Laminate or seal with clear contact paper.
Jewelry – Make dried flower jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, and earrings using flowers with stiff stems/heads. Mini roses, statice, and baby’s breath work beautifully.
Home Décor
In addition to crafts, dried flowers can be used in many different home decorating applications to add natural beauty, fragrance, and interest to any space. Ideas include:
Table centerpieces – Cluster dried hydrangeas, garden roses, peonies, and grasses in vases or containers to create elegant table decor.
Wreaths – Hang decorative wreaths made from dried plants on walls and doors.
Wall art – Create interesting wall art like dried flower screens and pressed flower pictures in shadowbox frames.
Potpourri – Place potpourri bowls or jars filled with dried petals and spices around the home for fragrance.
Fireplace mantels – Adorn mantels around fireplaces with garlands and arrangements with dried flowers and herbs.
Shelves – Display vases and containers with dried flowers and curated objects on bookshelves, console tables, credenzas, etc.
Wedding décor – Use dried flowers for wedding aisle arrangements, boutonnieres, bouquets, ceremonial displays, and reception centerpieces.
Party decor – Incorporate dried flowers into holiday decorations, gift displays, tablescapes, and more for parties.
Wreaths – Hang ornamental wreaths made from dried flowers and foliage on walls and doors.
Gifting
Dried flowers also make fantastic gifts, especially when homemade. Here are some creative gift ideas using dried flowers:
Potpourri sachets – Make little drawstring potpourri bags filled with dried petals to tuck into suitcases, closets, or lingerie drawers.
Lavender wands – Bundle dried lavender stalks together and tie with ribbon to make aromatic closets sachets.
Custom bookmarks – Create bookmarks edged with delicate dried blossoms.
Dried flower pictures – Frame pressed flower artwork or bouquets in ornamental shadowboxes to give as wall art gifts.
Decorative candles – Give away fragrant candles embellished with dried flower trimmings.
Potpourri jars – Fill glass jars with customized potpourri mixes using dried flowers and pretty packaging.
Wreaths – Handmade wreaths created using dried foliage and flowers make impressive gifts for any season.
Dried flower jewelry – Make necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings using dried flowers and give them as gifts.
Pressed flower notecards – Craft notecards using pressed flowers on blank cards made special for loved ones.
Decorative boxes – Adorn trinket and jewelry boxes with glued-on dried blossoms and herbs for fragrant gifts.
Dried flower sachets – Sew little drawstring sachets filled with dried flowers and spices to include in gifts or gift baskets.
Wedding favors – Craft individual wedding favors for guests using dried flowers like mini bouquets, floral bookmarks, sachets, etc.
Preserving Flowers
If you’re eager to get started using dried flowers for crafting and decorating, you’ll need to dry them properly first. Here are some effective techniques for drying and preserving different types of flowers:
1. Air Drying
Many flowers with sturdy petals and heads can be air dried by hanging upside down in a dark, dry indoor area with good air circulation. Use floral wire or string to make hangers. Ideal flowers for air drying include:
1. Lavender
2. Statice
3. Strawflowers
4. Marigolds
5. Hydrangeas
6. Baby’s breath
7. Larkspur
8. Cockscomb
9. Bells of Ireland
10. Flowering kale
11. Silica Sand
Delicate flowers like roses, peonies, tulips, and carnations drying well when buried in silica sand. Silica crystals pull moisture from the flowers to dry them beautifully. Layer flowers in an airtight container filled with silica sand.
2. Pressed Flowers
To completely flatten and dry fragile flowers, place them between sheets of wax paper topped with heavy books or a flower press. Change paper every few days until completely dry. Great for pressing wildflowers, ferns, leaves, and flower heads.
3. Embedded Flowers
To preserve flower shape, brush dry soft-petaled flowers lightly with undiluted hairspray and dust with borax. Place on a bed of borax in an airtight container to support flower. Use roses, orchids, larkspur, etc.
4. Glycerin Drying
Soak freshly picked flowers for a week in a glycerin solution to maintain color vibrancy and supple textures. Works well for roses, carnations, lilacs, mums, and more. Prevent wilting by recutting stems and changing the solution.
5. Instant Dry Flowers
For quick dried flowers, use a blow dryer or floral drying spray on freshly picked blossoms. Works best on sturdy flowers that dry flat without losing shape. Try yarrow, statice, strawflowers, and marigolds.
Conclusion
With the fantastic array of dried flower varieties and incredible preserving options available, you can enjoy crafting, decorating, and gifting with dried flowers for years to come. Get creative with dried flower wreaths, wall art, potpourri, sachets, holiday decorations, gift favors, and more. The possibilities are virtually endless!