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!
![Basic Floral Design Supplies](/images/cms/design-articles/basic-floral-design-supplies.jpg)
Whether you work weddings and events or you simply have a passion for creative decor, floral design is a great niche skill to add to your resume set. If you’re interested in becoming a professional floral designer, here are some tools you should stock your workplace with before you get started:
- Band-Aids: When working with fine gauge wire or plants that have thorns, you run the risk of pricking your fingers from time to time.
- Clippers: Most floral designers use ARS clippers, but it’s important for you to pick a style that you feel comfortable with, and one made to accommodate whether you are left or right-handed.
- Coated Chicken Wire: This helps provide the proper structural support for branches and stems.
- Fine Gauge Wire: You’ll use this if you are ever wiring flowers to a headpiece for someone to wear, or to piece together a decorative floral garland.
- Floral Putty: This is used when you need to adhere things to the vase your florals are being displayed in.
- Floral Tape: This can be used to gently wrap a handful of stems together.
- Paper-Covered Bindwire: This wire can either be used to hang a decorative floral garland, or to bind a group of stems together.
- Pin frogs: If you’re using a shallow vessel to hold your floral bouquet, this is a foam base you can use to secure the flowers inside.
- Ramie Covered Rustic Wire: This is used for creating frames for floral headpieces and small wreaths.
- Rubber bands: These are another tool you could easily use to bind stems.
- Scissors: These actually shouldn’t be used to cut the flowers themselves. You can use them for cutting other display supplies however, like ribbon or cardstock. .
- Straight Pins: You’ll use these if you’re making boutonnieres for your clients.
- Swiss Army Knife: This will be used to remove thorns, open packaging or to give your flower stems a clean cut.
- Water Tubes: You’ll need these in order to keep short stems hydrated.
- Wired Picks: You’ll use these as a way to extend and secure floral (or decorative non-floral) elements in your arrangement.
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!