The New York Institute of Art and Design offers online floral design classes and because we do, we like to provide free tips for image consultants. Enjoy!
If you want to become a professional floral designer, it’s important for you to establish a dedicated space in which you can practice and eventually work on real projects for your clients. Getting started, here are some tips for putting together the perfect area for you to work in:
- Pick a space that has floors that will not be damaged by water.
- Make sure you’ll be working near a large sink (large enough so you can comfortably put a bucket inside and fill it up) with running water.
- If possible, pick somewhere with a little extra room for storage of large items such as the aforementioned buckets. If this isn’t possible with your current space situation, get plastic buckets that can be stacked.
- If you have that extra room, consider investing in some clear glass cylinders- these are easier to use than buckets because they’re transparent, allowing you to better keep an eye on your water levels.
- Definitely invest in a bottle brush- you’ll need this to clean bud vases pretty frequently.
- You’ll be doing a ton of flower cleaning during your prep work, so definitely buy yourself a large trash can, or install a hook on which you can hang a large waste bag to use while you’re working.
- If you’re interested in composting, it might be worth a local search to see if any other florists or farmers are supporting that effort.
- Buy a basket or two to keep all your smaller supplies in- like scissors, pin frogs and rubber bands.
- Make sure the lighting is good and strong- you will need to clearly see color and texture and any imperfections in the flowers you’re working with.
- Finally, if your work area is going to double as the place where prepped flowers will be stored, be sure the space is air conditioned! This will help keep your arrangements looking fresh and healthy before the clients pick them up.
Want to learn more? The New York Institute of Art and Design offers an online floral design course that can teach you how to become a floral designer. Request your free course catalog today!
