Dried flowers are back!

Dried flower bouquets have returned in rightful force thanks to interior design trends that have dominated our much slower pace of living over the past couple of years. With reducing and reusing also becoming part of the common mindset, learning to find beauty in the unusual and to appreciate the old has never been more important.

Uncovering new textures and colours to create a completely new type of low maintenance bouquet is reason enough to give dried flowers a go in your home.

We have picked the three best ways to start your drying journey!

Hanging flowers upside down

This Instagram-worthy method is the simplest way to dry out flowers.

Make sure to remove all foliage from the main stems and combine the flowers into small bunches tied with string. While this a great opportunity for a photogenic moment, as long as they are hung upside down for (at least) two weeks in a dry, cool place, you should see reliable results. However, creating a string washing line for your bunches is a money-saving way of enhancing a rustic-inspired clean, modern decor.

Hanging them upside down also strengthens the stems so that they dry rigidly and can support themselves once dried.

Pros: reliable and cost effective

Cons: the process takes a minimum of two weeks

Silica Gel

Silica gel is what is in those little packets that you find in new shoe boxes. They are used to soak up moisture, making them perfect for drying flowers. Bigger bags are available on Amazon.

Fill the base of an airtight container with silica gel. Make sure the container is big enough for your flowers to lie flat in. Keeping them as spaced out as possible, place the flowers on top of the gel. Dust the tops with leftover gel - there's no need to cover them completely. Place the lid on and keep out of direct sunlight.

They should be ready to come out in 3 to 5 days depending on the flower variety.

Pros: quick and good for more delicate flowers

Cons: equipment is required

MAKE SURE NOT TO INHALE THE SILICA GEL AND TO USE GLOVES TO AVOID IRRITATION.

Microwave

If you are really "pressed" for time, you can even use your microwave. The microwave method is great at preserving colour vibrancy.

As with the previous method, you will need silica gel. Fill the base of a microwave-safe dish with silica gel and place the flowers on top. To avoid the risk of burning, only put one species in at one time as each bloom will dry at different speeds. Unlike the previous method, you will need to cover the flowers entirely in more silica gel and then pop the dish into the microwave without covering. Place a cup of water alongside your dish to help balance out the drying.

There isn't a set time for microwave drying so take it slowly; do bursts of 10 to 20 seconds until you are happy with the dryness. Wait 24 hours for the silica to cool and your flowers will be ready.

Pros: super quick

Cons: results can be uneven, equipment is required