Today I’m sharing the final DIY flower project from the Meet/Make/Do event, and this one is especially fun because it uses a pool. There was a beautiful pool at the Palm Springs house where we stayed, so I decided to incorporate it into a floral design. It’s not every day you have a pool available, so why not make something that floats?
I devised a plan to build a floating wreath. After a quick search to confirm whether foam core would float (it was one of the few supplies on hand that seemed promising), I got to work. The foam core’s tiny air pockets allow it to stay buoyant, which makes it ideal for this project.
This idea works great for customizing special events like pool parties or backyard weddings. You could create a floating monogram, a phrase, or a meaningful symbol for the occasion. For this project I made a triangle and a hexagon (which filled out into a circular shape once the flowers were attached). The triangle remained more defined, and it ended up being my favorite.
Here’s how to make your own floating flower wreath.
Materials: Foam core, X-Acto knife, hot glue gun
Flowers used: I used a variety of blooms from Flower Muse—truly beautiful and dependable flowers. The photo above shows the selection used for the smaller hexagon wreath, and the two wreaths together included:
Light Peach Juliet Garden Roses, Ivory Peach Garden Roses, Keira Pink Garden Roses, Pink Piano Garden Spray Roses, Pink Mayra Garden Roses, White Anemones, Double Bloom Tulips, Ranunculus
How to make a floating wreath:
1. To form a hexagon, cut six pieces of foam core that are 2 inches wide and 5 inches long. For a triangle, cut three pieces that are 3 inches wide and 16 inches long.
2. Use hot glue to join the foam core pieces, assembling them one at a time into the desired shape.
3. Trim the stems off each bloom and glue the flowers directly onto the foam core. Alternate between large, medium, and small flowers as you work to build a full, balanced appearance.
4. Gently place the finished wreath into the pool and let it float.
As you’ll notice, the hexagon shape quickly softened into a circle once the flowers were added, while the triangle retained its distinct form. Keep that in mind when choosing shapes—some will read differently once covered in blooms.
I admit I felt nervous about releasing the wreaths into the water at first; I didn’t want to have to retrieve them from the pool while in a swimsuit. But they float reliably. The foam core traps air, which helps the wreaths stay afloat even when covered with heavier flowers—the triangle wreath was particularly weighty but still buoyant.
If you don’t have access to a pool, these wreaths work beautifully as door decor as well. Simply attach a hook and hang on your front door for a stunning floral statement.
Concept, styling, and step-by-step photos by Brittni Mehlhoff. Other photos by Mary Costa Photography.
P.S. If you’re curious about behind-the-scenes moments from this shoot, a friend captured a candid poolside photo of the setup. After that snapshot I decided it was easier to lie down and get a little dirty—anything for a DIY project!
Would you make one of these floating flower wreaths, or would you prefer the door-hanging version?
This post was sponsored by Bing. All opinions and ideas are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.