How to Create Real and Faux Fall Flower Arrangements

I made a fall flower arrangement for our dining room table using a blend of fresh and faux flowers, and I’m excited to share how you can create a similar look in your home.

This is the perfect time to bring fall into your home with stunning fall floral arrangements. Combining real and faux flowers allows you to create an arrangement that feels full of life and lasts longer than an all-fresh design. With a few simple tips and some creative touches, you’ll have a fall arrangement that’s both timeless and seasonal.

How to Create Real and Faux Fall Flower Arrangements: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you look at the photo above, can you guess which florals are real and which are faux?

Step 1: Preparing Your Vase

For this project, I used one of my treasured copper vases. Copper is the perfect material for fall—it has that warm, glowing tone that complements autumn’s rich colors. But over time, copper can lose its shine and develop tarnish. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution: Bar Keepers Friend.

This cleaner worked wonders on my copper vase, making it look as good as new. If you’re working with an older or tarnished vase, here’s a quick cleaning guide:

1. Squirt Bar Keepers Friend onto a cloth or directly onto the copper vessel
2. Let sit for 5 – 10 minutes.
3. Gently rub the surface, paying attention to any tarnished areas.
4. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
5. Dry immediately with a soft towel to prevent water spots.

Once your vase is sparkling and clean, you can start building your arrangement.

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Step 2: Building the Foundation with Floral Foam and Faux Leaves

The next step in creating your arrangement is preparing the base. Floral foam is a great way to anchor fresh and faux flowers in place. Here’s what I did:

1. Cut a block of floral foam to fit snugly inside your vase. Trim it to size to stay in place without moving around if necessary.
2. Soak the foam in water if you’re using fresh flowers. This will hydrate the real blooms, helping them stay fresh longer.
3. Cover the top with faux leaves once the foam is inside the vase. I used faux leaves in a fall palette to hide the foam and add a layer of texture and color.

This step helps create a seamless base, making the final arrangement look lush and full.

Step 3: Layering in Fresh and Faux Eucalyptus

One of my favorite elements of fall floral arrangements is using eucalyptus. For this design, I chose two types of fresh green eucalyptus and paired them with a light yellow faux eucalyptus to give the arrangement depth and variety.

• Fresh Eucalyptus: I love using fresh Eucalyptus for its beautiful color and texture. Its long stems and delicate leaves create height and movement in the arrangement. The scent is another bonus—it adds a subtle, natural fragrance that enhances the overall experience.
• Faux Yellow Eucalyptus: To complement the green hues of the fresh eucalyptus, I added faux light yellow eucalyptus. The contrast in color creates a beautiful autumn palette and gives the arrangement a pop of warmth.

I inserted the fresh stems into the floral foam when arranging the eucalyptus. I alternated between the two types to create a balanced yet dynamic look, positioning the eucalyptus evenly around the vase.

Step 4: Adding Fresh Carnations and Faux Safflowers

Next, I added fresh carnations to the arrangement. Carnations are a wonderful choice for fall because they come in a wide range of colors and are long-lasting. I chose a soft, neutral hue that blended beautifully with the other elements of the arrangement.

• Fresh Carnations: I trimmed the stems of the carnations and inserted them throughout the arrangement. The key here is to vary the height of the flowers. Some should be lower, close to the base, while others should sit higher to create a natural, layered effect.
• Faux Safflowers: I added faux-dried safflowers for texture and an autumnal feel. These thistle-like flowers have a rustic, earthy appearance that pairs well with the softness of the carnations and the eucalyptus.

Using faux elements like safflowers combined with fresh flowers allows you to add unique textures that might not always be fresh.

Step 5: Finishing Touches with Alstroemeria

To finish the arrangement, I added Alstroemeria, a fresh flower I love for its delicate, intricate petals and longevity. Alstroemeria has a unique way of softening the overall arrangement and tying all the elements together. The addition of this flower brought a bright and lively touch to the design.

I placed the Alstroemeria in clusters throughout the arrangement, balancing the placement of these fresh blooms with the other flowers. These final touches helped fill gaps and added depth and visual interest to the arrangement.

Step 6: Bringing It All Together with Table Décor

Once my arrangement was complete, it was time to decorate the rest of the dining table. To tie everything together, I made new napkins in colors that matched the flowers in the arrangement. Sewing custom napkins is a great way to add a personal touch and bring cohesiveness to your table setting.

I placed copper chargers at each place setting to add fall charm. The warm tones of the copper chargers echoed the copper vase, creating a beautiful, coordinated look. The glow of the copper paired perfectly with the earthy tones of the flowers, making the dining room feel warm, inviting, and ready for fall entertaining.

I also used two different salad plates, which gave the table a whimsical charm.

Tips for Creating Your Own Fall Flower Arrangements

Now that you’ve seen how I created this arrangement, here are a few tips to help you make your own:

1. Choose a Focal Point: Whether it’s a special vase, a particular flower, or a unique color palette, start with one element that will guide the rest of your design.
2. Mix Fresh and Faux Flowers: Don’t be afraid to combine real and artificial flowers. Faux flowers add longevity and texture, while fresh flowers bring life and fragrance.
3. Play with Texture and Color: Fall is all about layering textures and embracing rich, warm colors. Mix soft petals with rustic elements like dried flowers or branches.
4. Use Floral Foam for Structure: Floral foam is your best friend when keeping everything in place. It allows you to create height and structure without worrying about stems shifting.
5. Coordinate with Table Décor: Think beyond the arrangement itself. Coordinate your napkins, placemats, or chargers with the colors and materials in your arrangement to create a cohesive look.

Creating a real and faux fall flower arrangement is a beautiful way to welcome the season into your home. You can craft a seasonal and long-lasting design by blending fresh flowers with faux elements. My arrangement, with its copper vase, eucalyptus, carnations, and safflowers, brought the perfect touch of autumn to our dining room.

With these tips and steps, you can create a similar arrangement that’s uniquely your own, perfect for fall gatherings or adding seasonal beauty to your space.

Happy fall arranging!

Blogger’s Best Fall Centerpieces

Here are more fall flower arrangements from some of my favorite bloggers. Enjoy!

DIY Spray-Painted Ferns: Elegant Fall Centerpieces | My Sweet Savannah

Create a stunning fall centerpiece by foraging ferns or greenery from your yard and transforming them with a splash of spray paint in warm autumn hues. Arrange your painted foliage in a beautiful vessel for an instant seasonal display that adds a touch of nature and creativity to your home. Perfect for celebrating the beauty of fall!

How to Make a Simple Autumn Centerpiece for Your Table | Most Lovely Things

Make a simple autumn centerpiece using everything from the produce department of your local grocery store.

Flower Pumpkin Centerpiece DIY | Happy Happy Nester

Looking to create a stunning Flower Pumpkin Centerpiece for your fall decor? Whether you’re planning a festive dinner party or want to elevate your home’s autumn ambiance, a pumpkin centerpiece filled with fresh seasonal flowers is the perfect way to celebrate the season’s beauty. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to craft a DIY flower pumpkin centerpiece that’s both elegant and easy to make, ensuring your table looks picture-perfect for any fall gathering.

Dahlia & Sweet Autumn Clematis Fall Arrangement | Finding Lovely

Fall Flowers in Copper Canister | Craftberry Bush

Gorgeous Outdoor Fall Decor

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