How to Make A Wreath (Asymmetrical Design)

Wanna learn how to make a wreath that looks unique, but is also easy to recreate? This DIY wreath idea, with fresh florals and asymmetrical design is a modern take on a once traditional Christmas decoration.

Unique holiday wreath made of red berries, pink flowers, and greenery.

How to make a wreath in under 30 minutes! It’s easy and the results are so cool, imo.

I’ve been making DIY holiday wreath for years now (ever since this holiday wreath workshop I hosted) and have been seeing them pop up more and more each year since.

Holiday wreaths are probably one of my fave things to make during Christmas time because they look amazing and smell good too.

So, today I’m sharing a tutorial for how to make a wreath with an asymmetrical design, using fresh flowers and greenery. I’ve also included a must-have material for keeping fresh flowers alive longer for your wreaths that you’ve probably never heard of. AND a diagram for hanging that will keep your asymmetrical design in place for the long haul.

Intrigued? Click through for the tutorial.

A white wreath with fresh garden roses, ranunculus, and olive branch greenery.

White and green floral asymmetrical wreath - white anemones and ranunculus.

All of the wreaths in the photos have fresh flowers and greenery from Flower Muse (they sell fresh flowers and greens straight from flower farms around the world… I use ’em all the time for events and DIY projects).

I made the small little wreaths as examples for a wreath workshop I did with Malorie (who is incredibly talented with flowers).

AND the wreath with lots of pepperberries (at the very top of the post) was actually a student wreath – shout out to Ashley for killing it on her wreath design.

Here’s how to make asymmetrical holiday wreaths…

Materials

***Note about the brass geo shapes

I have had a lot of questions about where the thicker brass geometric shapes are from that you see in some of the photos.

I bought them in Austin years ago and I have tried (endlessly) to find a link to them online for everyone, but sadly there isn’t one. The brand is 340 and they’re actually meant to be towel holders – mentioned them in this post.

As an alternative, if you don’t want to use a macrame hoop, you can make your own similar shapes at home too, using a heavy gauge wire.

I shared a similar project right here on Instagram and also shared a video for it in my IG highlights (it’s the highlight labeled Christmas Stuff).

Woman making asymmetrical holiday wreath shaped like a triangle.

How to Make a Wreath

Step 1: Start with greenery.

In the example wreaths, there was a variety of greenery used…variegated pittosporum, olive branch, and green bush ivy in the small geometric wreaths // olive branch, pepperberry, and silver dollar eucalyptus in the larger wreaths.

Step 2: Build up the greenery.

You can do this by starting in the outermost edges that you want to cover and working your way in, adding branches all in the same direction.

Use 3 inch long pieces of floral wire to secure each branch or stem, by wrapping it around the stem and hoop several times. With each branch or stem you add, cover up the wire from the one before it.

Step 3: Move to the other side.

Then, when you’ve reached the middle, start fresh on the other side, again at the outermost edge you want to cover and repeat step 2 with that side.

Adding floral stems to a white flower that needs support in a holiday wreath

Step 4: Add flowers.

Once you’ve added all of the greenery you’d like, it’s time for flowers. For the small wreaths, white anemones, white ranunculus, and cream garden roses – patience were used.

For the large wreaths, dusty pink garden roses – romantic antike and red ranunculus were used. 

For larger blooms with hearty stems, like garden roses, start by trimming off the stem completely and then sticking a corsage stem in through the bottom, as shown in the photo, after you’ve dipped the tip in water for 10 seconds.

For hollow stems, like ranunculus and anemones, you can either give the corsage stems a whirl OR insert floral wire through the stem (first cut the stem down to just a few inches), then twist around the hoop to secure.

Step 5: Attach florals to the wreath.

Wrap the wire end of the corsage stem around the hoop and attached branches.

Step 6: Repeat steps 4 and 5.

Continue step 4 and 5 until you’ve reached the desired look. And it’s ready to hang, over a nail on the wall, your front door, etc.

Gold triangle wreath with white anemones and greenery.

One thing to note about fresh Christmas wreaths like this one is that the flowers will eventually wilt. Usually within 2 to 5 days – sometimes longer.

But you can switch them out for new ones or leave your wreath as just greenery for the rest of the season (which lasts much longer than fresh flowers).

How do you hang an asymmetrical wreath?

Now that this tutorial is several years old (originally created in 2016), I’ve been asked many times how to keep an asymmetrical wreath like this hanging properly, so that the heavy side doesn’t swing down to the bottom. Here’s how I did it…

I hang the wreath from a small nail and then situate the design asymmetrically how I would like it to be and then I add two more small nails too the right and left sides so that the bottom of the wreath basically sits on those nails and doesn’t move.

If you use small ones like I do you won’t see them at all. And it works really well. But if you have something super heavy, you may need a third nail to keep everything from shifting.

Additionally, nail placement might depend on how symmetrical your wreath is. Here’s a quick diagram of different wreaths and where I would typically put the nails when hanging…

Diagram image of where to hang nails for asymmetrical wreath.

More Holiday Projects to Try

I almost can’t even count the number of other holiday projects I’ve shared here over the years. So many Christmas DIYs to try. Here are a handful of my favorites that you might like, if you enjoyed this wreath project.

  • Like wreaths? Check out the giant wreath I made last year (it’s over 3 ft tall).
  • DIY tree skirt ideas – two different was to turn a canvas drop cloth, of all things, into something really cool for the holidays. Super affordable and I love how they both turned out.
  • These mason jar lanterns are much cuter (and less cottage-y) than you might think. I love the polka dots and frosted glass with the twinkle lights and greenery mixed in. Very Christmasy vibes.
  • And last but not least, this quilted Christmas stocking DIY is a modern twist on a classic crafting technique. Do you like the quilted trend in fashion and home popping up again this year?

Closeup of holiday wreath with red berries and pink flowers in asymmetrical design

DIY holiday wreath being held up with olive branches, white flowers, and red berries

Geometric shaped wreaths in gold with fresh florals and greenery

Various holiday wreaths in different asymmetrical designs, with fresh florals

Closeup of unique Christmas wreath with red berries and pink and red flowers

DIY Wreath (An Asymmetrical Christmas Wreath Idea)

I've been making asymmetrical DIY wreaths for the holidays for the last few years (ever since this holiday wreath workshop I hosted) and have been seeing them pop up more and more each year since. So, today I'm sharing a tutorial for how to make asymmetrical holiday wreaths using fresh flowers and greenry. Including a must-have material for keeping fresh flowers alive longer for your wreaths that you've probably never heard of.
Total Time30 mins
Keyword: christmas wreath, christmas wreath ideas, diy wreath, wreath making
Cost: $15

Ingredients

  • 12 inch gold macrame hoops  or 18 inch if you want something larger***
  • thin gauge floral wire
  • wire cutters or sharp scissors
  • shears
  • corsage stems this is that secret material that will keep flowers fresh longer
  • greenery and fresh flowers specific types mentioned below

Instructions

  • Start with greenery. In the example wreaths, there was a variety of greenery used...variegated pittosporum, olive branch, and green bush ivy in the small geometric wreaths // olive branch, pepperberry, and silver dollar eucalyptus in the larger wreaths.
  • Build up the greenery, starting in the outermost edges that you want to cover and working your way in, adding branches all in the same direction.
  • Use 3 inch long pieces of floral wire to secure each branch or stem, by wrapping it around the stem and hoop several times. With each branch or stem you add, cover up the wire from the one before it.
  • Then, when you've reached the middle, start fresh on the other side, again at the outermost edge you want to cover and repeat step 2 with that side.
  • Once you've added all of the greenery you'd like, it's time for flowers. For the small wreaths, white anemones, white ranunculus, and cream garden roses - patience were used.
  • For the large wreaths, dusty pink garden roses - romantic antike and red ranunculus were used.
  • For larger blooms with hearty stems, like garden roses, start by trimming off the stem completely and then sticking a corsage stem in through the bottom, as shown in the photo, after you've dipped the tip in water for 10 seconds.
  • For hollow stems, like ranunculus and anemones, you can either give the corsage stems a whirl OR insert floral wire through the stem (first cut the stem down to just a few inches), then twist around the hoop to secure.
  • Wrap the wire end of the corsage stem around the hoop and attached branches.
  • Continue step 4 and 5 until you've reached the desired look. And it's ready to hang, over a nail on the wall, your front door, etc.

Notes

How do you hang an asymmetrical wreath?

Now that this tutorial is several years old (originally created in 2016), I've been asked many times how to keep an asymmetrical wreath like this hanging properly, so that the heavy side doesn't swing down to the bottom. Here's how I did it...
I hang the wreath from a small nail and then situate the design asymmetrically how I would like it to be and then I add two more small nails too the right and left sides so that the bottom of the wreath basically sits on those nails and doesn't move.
If you use small ones like I do you won't see them at all. And it works really well. But if you have something super heavy, you may need a third nail to keep everything from shifting.
Additionally, nail placement might depend on how symmetrical your wreath is. I included a quick photo diagram of different wreaths I made and where I would typically put the nails when hanging (scroll up a few images from the bottom to view).
Tried this recipe?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Photography Amelia Tatnall Lawrence
Styling Brittni Mehlhoff

Are you making any wreaths for the holidays this year? Any fresh flowers in the mix?

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58 comments | Click here to reply

Love these and have desperately been trying to find the macrame shapes other than the circle linked in your instructions. Did you order a triangle and square or make them some how from the circle?

Amanda

Hi Bee, Amanda, Kristine, and Lacie. I bought the geometric shape pieces a while back in Austin. More info on this post: http://www.papernstitchblog.com/2016/11/29/prop-shop-7-things-bought-austin/

Brittni

These are beautiful! I’m looking to do something similar in my daughter’s nursery. Where did you buy the square and triangle bases? I have been unsuccessful in my search for them.

Lacie

Hi! These wreaths are the cutest! I’ve never made one before, and would love to try your tutorial. Where can I find the square and triangle shapes you used? Thank you!

Kristine

So Beautiful! Can you tell me where you found the triangle and square ‘hoops’?

Amanda

My friend and I were admiring (and hoping to make) your smaller wreaths – we were wondering where you got the wired shapes?!

Bee

[…] Not down to use mere shrubbery and citrus fruit for your holiday decor? These minimalistic wreaths call for fresh flowers and herbs like rosemary and pepper for a fragrant and stunning wall decoration. Get the tutorial at Paper & Stitch. […]

6 Natural Ways to Make Your Home Smell Like Christmas - Holidays | A Matter of Style

Wow! What beautiful and creative wreaths!

Linda

These are so so pretty!

Beka Johnson

m a g n i f i q u e…
I l i k e !

Yiza

Yiza

m a g n i f i q u e…
I l i k e !

Yiza

This looks so cute!

x Annabelle
travelsandtea.com

Annabelle

Aw, thanks Rachael. I’m sure you’re look great too.

Brittni

These wreaths look AMAZING!! I recently made a festive wreath but yours look so much better 😉 I better keep practicing!

Rachael xx.
theteacozykitchen.blogspot.co.uk

Rachael

Thanks so much Greta, Michelle, and Gemma. 🙂

Brittni

These are just divine!! Such a gorgeous touch of festive beauty : )

Gemma
www.fadedwindmills.com

Gemma

Wow, they are absolutely beautiful!
https://www.makeandmess.com/

Michelle

I’ve never even thought to do this! These are gorgeous- thanks for the DIY! x

Greta

Thanks Jessica. 🙂 I like the triangle one too…it’s nice to have a couple of shapes outside of a circle for wreaths this year.

Brittni

All these are so pretty! I love the triangle shape x

Jessica — NinetyCo

Jessica
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