The DIY That Floods Your Space With Colorful Flowers (But You May Regret It)

If you grew up loving "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," you might've envisioned one day visiting a world with giant flowers. Amazingly, people have made this dream come true by combining glue and wire for a stunning DIY floral décor accent on the ceiling. Just imagine having beautiful artificial flowers dancing above your head while you're reading a book or enjoying dinner. Sounds lovely, right? That is, until dust starts falling on your plate. Using fake flowers allows the decoration to last longer. But it also means you're going to have to add a new chore to your cleaning list. And that may make you regret bringing the fantasy to life.

While there are different variations of this DIY project, using plastic or metal chicken wire, screw-in hooks, and flowers is common. You attach a large section of chicken wire to the ceiling using ceiling hooks. Then, hang the flowers by bending the stems and threading them through the holes in the wire mesh. Another method involves skipping the chicken wire and instead hanging the flowers from the hooks themselves using fishing line. What's very important is that the hooks are able to support the weight of the mounting material and flowers. You can choose any artificial flowers you like but lighter ones hang more securely. Select faux blooms that go with your home's exisiting style and color palette. Or create a gorgeous wild bouquet replete with string lighting. There's no question it's a fun idea. Although cleaning it isn't quite as much fun.

Unfortunately, this nature-themed décor takes almost as much effort to clean as starting an indoor garden. The flowers naturally accumulate dust, and since they hang above your head, the whole thing can get a little messy. Dust is a mixture of dead skin cells, dust mites, soil, pollen, and microsplastics, among other microscopic debris. These are all things no one wants in their home, making dusting a chore we need to do fairly often. Generally, you should dust artificial flowers every week or two using a soft microfiber cloth or a fabric duster. Avoid using chemical cleaners or water, which could damage the materials of the blooms.

Dusting is only one concern with this hanging flower display. Be careful that it's not exposed to direct sunlight, as this can lead to fading. Also, inspect your artificial flowers from time to time. You want to make sure none of them are loose, broken, or showing other signs of damage. The quality of flowers you choose could also make a difference when it comes to appearance and how long they hold up. Typically, high-end retailers and craft stores have the highest quality faux blooms. However, those on a budget can also find options at discount stores like Dollar Tree. You could also use real flowers, although the resulting arrangement will be temporary. It's definitely a way to add a bit of whimsy to your home — just as long as it doesn't make you feel like Cinderella before the ball.