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If you’re looking to save money on your fall decor, check out these affordable options for DIY fall flower arrangements with thrifted vessels!  Some of my favorite flower arrangements are the ones I create myself with pretty vintage containers, found at thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets!  Keep reading for all the thrifted treasures from the “Thrifting with the Gals” bloggers today, too!

I love flowers.  No matter the season, floral and greenery arrangements are always one of my favorite ways to add a little refresh in our home.  Even if it is a busy day and there is not time for a lot of fluffing around home, some pretty flowers can always make things feel cheerful and welcoming.

Is it cheaper to make your own floral arrangements?

Yes!  In the fall season, I love to find ways to add affordable DIY fall flower arrangements throughout our home.  However, I really don’t love spending a lot of money on them.  Actually, I’d much rather splurge on a great container that I can use year-round than the flowers themselves!

I have figured out a few tricks and ideas to use some of my favorite thrifted finds as pretty DIY fall flower arrangement containers too.  It’s amazing what a difference a pretty vessel can make to elevate a fall floral arrangement!

For Thrifting with the Gals today, I’m going to share some ideas for containers that you can look for on your fall thrifting and flea market adventures. Then, you can use your own thrifted finds to create some beautiful and affordable DIY fall flower arrangements!  And speaking of VIntage, I know you loved hopping over from Ann with Dabbiling and Decorating Vintage Fall Decor Ideas.  She is amazing!

The Best Thrifted Vessels for Affordable DIY Fall Flower Arrangements

How do I make a cheap bunch of flowers look expensive?

The vessel, container, or vase you choose for your DIY fall flower arrangement will make all the difference!  To me, a pretty bunch of grocery store flowers in a vintage French zinc pitcher looks just as wonderful and makes as much of a statement as an expensive floral arrangement from a professional florist.

You can easily elevate the style of your fall florals by arranging them in a great container.  At the same time,  you can use your favorite vessels and vases year round so you have less decor pieces to store away.  I love to invest in great pieces that I can enjoy all year long!

DIY Fall Flower Arrangement Idea #1: Use a pretty pitcher!

How do you make cheap flower arrangements?

Most likely, you probably already own a pretty pitcher.  Some of you may already own two or three or even ten!  Especially if you want to save some money on your DIY fall flower arrangements, pull out a pretty pitcher, add some water, and quickly arrange a bunch of grocery store flowers.

Even though you can style a pitcher of flowers anywhere in your home, I especially love it as a table centerpiece or even sitting by the sink for a cheerful touch.

Pitchers are always on my thrifting list!  I especially keep an eye out for pretty ironstone pitchers, like this one, at flea markets and antique stores.  They can tend to be pricey, but as I said before, I love investing in pieces that I can enjoy all year long.  Pitchers are especially helpful since you can use them for serving beverages OR displaying a bouquet of inexpensive flowers!

Here are some favorite finds:

I always recommend checking out yard sales, thrift shops, local antique stores, and flea markets for home decor.  However, there are also some great pieces online and I’ve rounded up a few that are similar to my own favorite pitchers!  If you’re in the market for a great pitcher to make your DIY fall flower arrangements more affordable…and use year round…check these out!

• I love the style of THIS large ironstone pitcher!
• This pair of ironstone pitchers make the perfect vignette!
• My French zinc pitcher is my favorite to use.  This one is exactly like it!
• This vintage-inspired milk pitcher is perfect for fall flowers!
• Create an  instant collection with this beautiful trio!

DIY Fall Flower Arrangements Idea #2: Use a pretty dish!

One of my favorite ways to make a pretty flower arrangement is to use a beautiful dish!  Recently, I picked up this gorgeous ironstone dish at a yard sale.  I especially love it because it belonged to a dear lady from our church.  She was always so kind and gracious!

You probably also have a pretty dish tucked away in your cabinets too!  This is a great opportunity to use a sentimental piece or perhaps a dish that you don’t use on a daily basis.

How do you make a fall flower arrangement?

Here are a few easy steps to creating pretty DIY fall flower arrangements in a dish:

1. If you’re using a dish with a wide opening, consider creating a grid at the top with scotch tape to hold the flowers.  This also helps you to not need quite as many flowers for the arrangement too.
2. Start by adding a layer of greenery around the perimeter of the dish.  This should ideally lay a little bit horizontal to the surface, hanging over the sides of the dish.
3. Next, begin adding the center blooms and work your way out.  The flowers in the middle should be a little bit taller than the flowers around the edges.
4. Lastly, tuck in a few more pieces of greenery or accent stems to create some texture and whimsy to your arrangement.

Here are a few pretty dishes I found online that would be amazing for DIY fall flower arrangements:

• A tureen makes a great vessel for flowers.  I love this vintage ironstone tureen!
• This soup tureen is shaped like a pumpkin!  What a fun container for fall flowers!
• What can be prettier than a vintage French ironstone bowl?  This one is amazing!
• Try a pretty footed pedestal bowl!  A metal one, like this, will hold water for flowers and make quite a statement!
• Copper makes a gorgeous accent for the fall season.  Create an amazing centerpiece with  this copper bowl!

DIY Fall Flower Arrangement Idea #3: Try a pretty thrifted pot!

One of my favorite kinds of vessels to use for plants and flowers are ironstone pots.  Even though their original use was not as lovely (think chamber pot!), they can be cleaned, bleached, and turned into gorgeous centerpieces!

Stoneware or pottery pots also make beautiful vases.  Since they are especially on trend right now, you can even take a thrifted find and turn it into a fun DIY by painting it!

Tip: To create a flower arrangement in an ironstone pot, use either a tape grid or cut branches from your yard to stabilize the flowers.  The branches are thicker and create a grid of their own.

How do you arrange fake fall flowers?

One way to create really affordable DIY fall flower arrangements is to invest in beautiful fall stems that you can use year after year.  I am pretty picky about my faux florals.  While high-quality ones aren’t always a savings up front, they pay off by using them all season and especially getting use out of them in future years too.

Tip: To create an even more amazing arrangement with faux flowers, add some freshly cut branches from your yard or inexpensive greenery, such as eucalyptus, from the grocery store.

Here are some beautiful recommendations for quality faux florals:

• Pears are a wonderful accent for fall and I love these huge stems!
• These accent stems are extremely affordable and have a really great look!
• As I said, sometimes faux stems cost more up front but you can use them for a long time.  This eucalyptus is stunning; I love the soft fall color!
• This stem is a lot more affordable and is also very lovely!
• Even in the fall, you can incorporate beautiful greenery.  This is one of my favorites!

No matter if you’re using fresh or faux florals, these vintage pots will all elevate the style of your arrangement!

Here are a few suggestions for vintage style:

• My ironstone pot is very similar to this and it’s my favorite to create a large fall arrangement!
• Use the tape grid method and create an amazing fall arrangement in an ironstone pot like this!
• This vessel would give you a similar look for a vintage-inspired price!
• Try a big arrangement in a stoneware crock like this!
• Create a cute arrangement to tuck into a fall vignette with this vintage favorite!

DIY Fall Flower Arrangements Idea #4: Try using an old bucket!

Sometimes the most simple idea really is the best.  However, they can easily get overlooked.  I know that I tend to overthink things sometimes (or often, depending on who you ask 😂) and forget to use the most simple of items.  For the fall season, one of my very favorite looks is a simple bucket or container with the most popular fall flowers!

What is the most popular flower in the fall?

I am not the flower expert, but I’d have to say mums!  They add such pretty touches of fall color, both indoors and out, and I especially love that you can create an amazing display of mums or enjoy a simple plant as a centerpiece.

Currently, I have my mum in a pretty vintage zinc bucket.  However, you could also add a rustic touch with a wooden bucket or a farmhouse vibe with a galvanized pail.  I wouldn’t consider my decor stash to be complete without a couple of great buckets for flowers and plants!

Here are a few favorites:

• My zinc double handle bucket is my favorite!  They aren’t cheap, but they will last forever and go with any style!  THIS one has free shipping!  I use it year round and even put a Christmas tree in it for the winter!
• This old firkin bucket is absolutely PERFECT!  Even though it has that rustic touch, it would also blend beautifully with European farmhouse or cottage style decor too.  At the same time, the lighter wood makes it great to blend with more modern decor.
• THESE are a great deal for the set of 3 and I absolutely love the scallop edges!
• Baby mum plants are cute too and this set would be perfect for centerpieces.  However, they would be even more adorable at individual place settings with little mum plants for guest favors!
• I love using planters with a little different shape.  This set of oval buckets would be beautiful with fall flowers!

DIY Fall Flower Arrangement Idea #5: Bottles and jars are simple and easy!

If you’re looking for a really inexpensive and super easy way to display fall flowers, whether fresh or faux, bottles and jars work every time!  I always watch for vintage flip-top cap bottles at thrift stores and flea markets.  Even though they can be a little more pricey in antique shops, you can find beautiful ones there too.  I love the ones that have hints of blue or green in the glass.

At the same time, you can purchase a new set and still get a wonderful centerpiece or table display for your DIY fall flower arrangements!

How do you make a cheap flower arrangement?

Purchase one bouquet and spread it out!  You can create quite a statement by adding one or two stems to each bottle and lining them down the middle of a centerpiece.

For a thoughtful effect, you can place a bottle at each place setting on your fall tablescape.  Even though a big, fancy arrangement in the middle of a table is always wonderful, you can create a unique, simple look with a single bouquet and a bunch of thrifted bottles!

Here are some ideas for bottles:

• Purchase this set of 6 or 12 vintage-inspired bottles and use year round for seasonal flowers!  A great buy!
• This set of amber bottles would be perfect for fall!  Tip: they also work great for taper candle holders!
• Vintage French canning jars can be pricey.  However, these have free shipping and they are just gorgeous!  When our home was photographed for a summer magazine, the photographers redid the flowers in THESE amazing jars!
• For vintage amber bottles that are a little larger, this set of 4 would be amazing with DIY fall flower arrangements!
• This large bottle would make an amazing centerpiece with fall floral stems or even a branch cut from your yard!

Are you ready to add some flowers to your cart at the grocery store?

I hope so!  Treat yourself this week with an inexpensive bouquet and have fun being creative as you add your DIY fall flower arrangement ideas all around your home!  While you’re out and about, make sure to stop by your local thrift stores and see what fun vessels you can use for your flowers too!

Speaking of thrifting, head over and visit all of the other “Thrifting with the Gals” friends today, including our guest host, Simply 2 Moms.  I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with Anne and AnnMarie and they are just wonderful.  I know you’ll love their thrifting post today too!

• Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse
• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating
• Kristin from White Arrows Home
• Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms

Now, head over to the next stop in our blog and visit Kristin with White Arrows Home!

Happy fall decorating and happy thrifting!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!  

Blessings,

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)