Try This Pool Noodle DIY To Make Beautiful Floral Decor For Outdoor Entertaining

Looking for a way to add some whimsy to your table this summer? By inserting faux flowers into a pool noodle and placing that inside a clear glass vase, then placing some more flowers in the hollow center, you can do just that. Best of all, because this DIY decor hack uses fake blooms and greenery, you can use it to elevate your outdoor entertaining, all summer long.  

Start by grabbing a pool noodle that fits inside your vase. The color doesn't matter, but if you are concerned that the noodle may end up sticking out, try match it to your favorite foliage. Dark green is ideal if you're looking for something leafy, while pink or white would look great with something more floral. As for the foliage itself, both Walmart and Amazon have a massive range of faux blooms, perfect for being stuck into the foam while looking super realistic. Make sure whatever you pick has relatively long stems, so you can stick them into the noodle easily and without anything falling out of your arrangement. 

Once you have all your items, place your pool noodle inside the vase so you can get an accurate measurement. It should come to the top of your vase. Then, take the noodle right back out, and it's time to start decorating. 

There's a good chance that at some point, you've come across a floral arrangement that uses floral foam to keep a bouquet standing up straight. For this decor hack, a pool noodle works in the same way, and will keep those faux blooms and leaves in place. Start by plotting out how you'd like the arrangement to look. Having all the flowers and foliage pointing upwards towards the top of the vase will make it look like a gorgeous creeper, but you could also have shorter faux leaves sticking straight out if that's what you prefer (and if your vase's size allows).

Keep inserting flowers until your noodle is completely covered. One or two bare spots won't be the end of the world, but for the most polished finish, try to fill any little spots with smaller leaves or flowers. Done right, no one will ever know that the secret to your chic outdoor centerpiece is a pool toy!

Once you're happy with your floral noodle, slip it back into your vase and pop a few faux blooms in the hollow section. Depending on how far in the stems of the flowers on your noodle have been pushed in, you may need to wiggle them around before you find the right spot. However, once it's done, you'll be left with a truly stunning piece of decor. 

One of the biggest perks of this centerpiece is that you can leave it outside without worrying about the flowers being exposed to the elements. Faux blooms means no water, and as long as you're not expecting kids or pets to bump into your table and potentially knock it off, or anticipating major storms, you can really leave this in your outdoor entertainment area all summer. 

That said, there are some things to keep in mind. Like we said, if you have seen stormy weather predicted, bring it inside to avoid any damage. However, another element to take care with is the sun. To avoid your arrangement getting cracked and sun-bleached, spray it with a UV protecting mist, available on Amazon for around $11. It's also not a bad idea to ensure your vase (whether glass or plastic) is out of direct sun, to reduce the risk of fire. 

Risks of damage aside, another must is regular dusting. Forgetting to dust is one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to fake plants and floral arrangements, and just cheapens the entire look — the last thing you want, since this decor idea is meant to turn your backyard into an entertainment paradise. With the right care and maintenance, this DIY decor project is sure to brighten up your al fresco hangs throughout the season.