The best place to begin is to decide where the flowers will be placed. A flower arrangement that is for the centerpiece of a dining table will definitely look different than a flower arrangement that is going to be on a shelf or in a corner.

Next, pick a vase. The size and shape of the vase will determine the size of the flower arrangement. A general rule is to use a vase that is half the height of the arrangement. This will give it a nice balance. Also, if you want a very full arrangement, you will want to choose a vase that is larger and has a wider opening. If you are going for something simple and sophisticated, you can choose a tall vase with a narrow opening. Another good choice for the beginning florist is to use a vase that has a crosshatch pattern over the top. This allows you to arrange the flowers more easily and evenly. Otherwise, you will need to cut a piece of Styrofoam or florist foam to fit inside the vase in order to anchor the flowers.

The only limit when choosing the flowers to arrange is your imagination. You can select a bunch of flowers that are the same color but in varying hues of that color. For instance choose several flowers that are different shades of yellow, from palest lemon to deep gold. Or you can work with all warm shades like yellow, orange and red, or all cool shades like blue, purple and green. It is best to choose three or more colors with one of them being more dominant than the others. It helps to have a color wheel that shows complementary colors, secondary colors and other pleasing color combinations.

To choose your design, you can go with a horizontal design or a vertical design, depending on what it is going to be used for. A vertical design that is spare and simple will look stunning on a corner table, and a horizontal design would look great on a buffet table or dining table. Use odd numbers of flowers to get the best effect.

Some people like to start with the greenery and fillers, and others like to start with the flowers. Experiment with both ways to find out which is more comfortable for you. Remember not to overload your vase. When you are done, take a step back and view your design. You want it to look symmetrical.

If you still feel like your flower arranging skills are not the best, you can always take a class at your local craft store or college. Making your own silk floral arrangements can be fun and fulfilling.