Quick and Simple Flower Displays for Summer

Last Updated on April 4, 2025 by Rachel

If you are looking for inexpensive and no-fuss decor, these quick and simple flower displays for Summer are just that!

The air smells fresh, the leaves don a bright green hue, flowers are in full bloom and the days are getting longer. That only means one thing…Summer is just around the corner! For me, Summer is the season where I like everything to feel light and airy. It’s the time of the year where decorating your home is carefree and breezy. I’m sharing some quick and simple flower displays for Summer to help enhance the easy, go with the flow Summer vibe.

Summer Blooms in Minutes: Easy DIY Floral Arrangements for Beginners

I’m all about easy decor this time of year. If something takes me more than an hour to put together or decorate, it’s too fussy. You see, Summer is the most beautiful time of year here in the Midwest with gorgeous lakes and warm temps.

There are many adventures to be had in these four short months and I want to spend every second of it outside, not inside futzing with decor. Let me show you how easy it is to create Summer floral arrangements for free!

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Vintage Vessels for Creating Effortless Summer Floral Displays

The first items you will need are some vessels that are water tight.

I pulled out all kinds of vintage and thrifted jars, vases and tin containers. If you don’t think you have anything to use, I guarantee you do!

Go through closets, cupboard and drawers. You can even use a drinking glass! Summer is wild and carefree so anything goes.

various vintage and thrifted vessels for creating Summer floral displays.

Shop Flower Arrangement Vessels

Quick and Simple Flower Displays for Summer

Here, I will give you a step-by-step guide to creating Summer floral displays.

You guys. These are so easy and perfect for those of us who are beginners in creating flower arrangements, me included.

Let’s get into it!

freshly clipped white Lilacs in a vintage enamel kettle

Choose Flowers for DIY Floral Arrangements

First, you will need to figure out what kinds of flowers you want to use for your displays.

Are there some flowering bushes or trees in your neighborhood that you can walk to and clip some stems? Maybe that isn’t your cup of tea and you want to use store bought flowers. Or, maybe you are not a real flowers person and want to use faux. Any option you choose is totally okay!

For this Summer project, I opted for freshly clipped flowers.

I grabbed a pair of scissors and took a walk to some Lilac bushes and flowering trees in my neighborhood.

freshly picked Lilacs to use in a vintage vase

Tip: If you are going to be gone for a long period of time with your freshly clipped flowers, I would suggest bringing a vase of water with you so that the stems don’t dry out.

After about a half hour and many stems later, I joyfully walked home with my pretty flowers.

freshly picked Lilacs for vases

Fill and Arrange Your Vintage Vessels.

I filled my first vessel with water.

Speaking from experience, you don’t want to fill it too full. Put just enough water in the bottom so that the base of each stem is submerged.

a vintage enamelware kettle filled with water

I read somewhere that, to help fresh stems last longer, you are supposed to cut them at an angle.

So, that’s just what I did!

cut fresh stems at an angle

After cutting each stem on an angle, I started arranging! There is no rhyme or reason for this…just go with what looks pleasing to you. Go as basic or as detailed as you like.

I’ll show you a few variations of each.

Lilacs for Free Summer Flower Displays

I started with this giant bunch of light purple Lilacs, making it the focal point in the first floral display.

Isn’t it so pretty?!

a purple Lilac stem used for Summer floral displays

Using the other white Lilac stems that I cut, I simply layered them into the enamel kettle.

Tip: I removed some of the leaves from the Lilac stems because they were detracting from the flowers. Try that if your floral display is looking too messy or crowded.

fresh cut Lilacs in a vintage enamel kettle

Fern Stems for a Simple Summer Floral Arrangement

For some variety in this arrangement, I wanted to add in some Fern leaves.

To do so, I simply cut a few stems from my Fern plants and pulled off the bottom few rows of leaves.

a fern stem used in Summer floral displays.

I tucked the Fern leaves into areas of the arrangement that needed a little more height.

styling a Summer floral arrangement with Lilacs and Ferns

My advice for creating these summer floral arrangements is to not over-think it.

If you feel like you have enough stems in the vessel, then call it good!

fresh picked Lilacs in a vintage enamel kettle

You could also go super simple and literally just tuck some Lilac stems into a jar.

They look so pretty on their own! I did that with this vintage milk bottle.

a vintage milk jar filled with white Lilacs

Mix Flowers and Ferns for a DIY Floral Arrangement

Another variation you could try is to mix different flowers and stems together.

I did this with Lilacs and pink Crabapple stems. The juxtaposition of heights, colors and textures is just beautiful!

a vintage enamel kettle filled with freshly picked flowers

Or, for a more dramatic effect, try placing tall stems in a vintage tin.

I placed a few Crabapple branches into this vintage marshmallow tin and am obsessed with how pretty it looks on my table!

pink Crabapple stems in a vintage marshmallow tin

Displaying Summer Floral Arrangements

Now that you have made a floral arrangement or two, let’s chat quickly about some ways you can display them.

Create a Small Vignette.

I used a vintage chair for a base, draped a vintage lace tablecloth over the back and set my pink stems on the chair.

This is such an easy way to make a statement.

The best part? It took me under five minutes to put together!

a vintage marshmallow tin filled with pink crabapple stems

Here is another easy vignette idea.

I stuck a few white Lilac stems into this thrifted transferware vase. Then, I simply placed a vintage book and a small linen underneath it on the bathroom counter.

If this isn’t no fuss decor then I don’t know what is!

white Lilacs in a vintage transferware vase

Make a Centerpiece.

I suggest using a neutral table runner or linen as a base.

Then, place your floral arrangement in the middle of the table.

a floral arrangement with lilacs in a vintage enamel kettle

Play around with which flowers you would like facing which direction.

For example, I wanted that large bunch of purple Lilacs to be seen from the living room, so I turned the kettle facing more towards that part of the room.

a floral centerpiece for Summer with Lilacs

I tried both of my flower displays to see which one I liked on the table better.

I loved both types of flowers so that’s when I mixed them together into one large floral display!

pink crabapple stems in a vintage marshmallow tin as a centerpiece

Also, I want to mention here that you can use many different types of flowers, stems or greenery for this decor project.

I so wish I had a cutting garden so I could clip fresh stems each day. Until then, I’ll rely on wildflowers or neighborhood bushes!

fresh picked flowers in a vintage enamel kettle

Beat the Heat with Vibrant Flowers: Quick Summer Flower Display Ideas

You can do this all Summer long, rotating out the types of flowers or greens you are using depending on what’s blooming.

Here are some other varieties you could try:

  • Zinnias
  • Cosmos
  • Hydrangeas
  • Daisies
  • Sunflowers
  • Ivy
  • Black Eyed Susans
  • Poppys

Closing Tidbits for Quick and Simple Flower Displays for Summer

I truly hope these ideas for quick and simple Summer floral displays are helpful for you!

Flowers are the epitome of Summer. They are colorful, carefree and casual, just the way Summer intends. Take a cue from the flowers, using them to create an easygoing and relaxed home for this season.

Be encouraged to live lightheartedly, stopping to smell the flowers along the way.

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Leave me a comment! Do you enjoy cutting fresh flowers for your home? Which are your favorites? I love hearing from you!

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vintage tins with flowers for Summer

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!

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Other Summer Posts to Enjoy

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26 Comments

  • Oh my Rachel, your flowers are just stunning! Each arrangement looks gorgeous! Thanks for all the tips on what type of containers to use and how to display vignettes! Makes me wish I had flowering trees in my yard! Blessings, Donna

    Reply
  • Debra@CommonGround
    June 3, 2023 7:08 pm

    so pretty, Rachel. I love that rustic wild look and your cream and green coffeepot is so wonderful. Also love that you added fern fronds to your arrangements. Lucky you with a neighborhood that you can find lilacs to snip. Happy weekend!

    Reply
  • MaryJo Materazo
    June 5, 2023 11:56 am

    I love these Rachel! The blooms are beautiful and the containers are amaZing. Thanks for all the great ideas. XO- MaryJo

    Reply
  • Hello Rachel! We’re excited to let you know we’ll be featuring this post tomorrow on the Fabulous Friday Link Party! Hope to see you there!

    Reply
  • […] Want an inexpensive and easy way to decorate your house? Rachel from The Antiqued Journey shares tips on how to make quick and simple Summer floral displays! […]

    Reply
  • These are all so gorgeous, Rachel, and I know they must smell amazing too! I love small containers and arrangements like these because you can enjoy them in so many different places. You definitely have me ready for crepe myrtle season now! Hugs, CoCo

    Reply
  • Hi Rachel – This was such a good post. I love lilacs!! They are some of my favorite flowers. Oh – and – yes – my family refers to me as a flower stealer. I am known for going into abandoned lots, in areas behind warehouses, or empty parking lots where there are blooming shrubs and trees.

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      June 12, 2023 7:42 pm

      Hi!
      thank you!! Well, if there is no one there to enjoy the blooms, then I sure will is what I always say 🙂

      Reply
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  • HI Rachel,
    Love the floral arrangement in the old Borden tin.!
    Pinned to my repurpose board! xo laura in Colorado

    Reply
  • Julie Briones
    July 11, 2023 12:26 pm

    Love these ideas for arranging summer flowers, Rachel! So happy to be featuring your post at Tuesday Turn About this week! Pinned!

    Reply
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