No Need For The Thrift Store: The Collage Wall Essential You Can Make Yourself

Collage walls, also referred to as gallery walls, are such a creative way to show off your personality with your home decor. You can combine personal photographs with your favorite artist prints and even souvenirs from your most-loved adventures. If you've ever tried to put together a collage wall, you know it can seem like an endless hunt for just the right things to go in just the right places. When it finally seems almost complete, you're not sure what, but something seems to be missing. When you don't want to spend tons more money or, really, any money, even at the thrift store, try adding dried flower bundles.

Adding dried flowers to your collage wall gives it a final inspired touch that brings it all together. While there might not be any one way to create the perfect gallery wall, this simple addition will add a bit of romance and warmth, for a fuller, more vibrant feel. Plus, you can make a bundle of dried flowers yourself at no (or at least minimal) cost.

Simply pick your favorite flowers from the garden, maybe the ones you planted because they remind you of your great-aunt Barbara and make for a great conversation piece. Or, go for a walk in nature and pick some pretty wildflowers to represent your colorful, free-spiritedness. It's worth noting, though, that certain flowers keep their shape better than others when dried. In particular, blooms that have sepals, green leaf-looking parts that hug the petals, are helpful because they hold the bloom together. Flowers like lavender and roses are great choices. Once you have your flowers, all you'll need is some string, a rubber band, and scissors.

Let's get started on these gorgeous dried flower bundles and watch them become the floral-inspired home design that you'll want for your house. Select about five flowers to combine into a single bundle, as grouping too many together will prevent airflow and keep them from drying completely. 

Some people use twine or string to tie them together, but the stems can shrink as they begin to dry and then slip out of the bundle. To account for this, you can use a rubber band to tie them together instead. Simply loop one end of the rubber band around one stem, then wrap the whole rubber band around the entire stem bundle a couple of times, making sure it's nice and snug. Then, loop the other end of it around another stem to hold it in place. 

Using a piece of string, tie one end to the stems and one end to something sturdy enough to hold the flowers, allowing them to hang upside down. Choosing a dark, dry place will help preserve them the best. Allow up to six weeks for the bundles to dry. Once your dried flower bundles are ready, untie them from where they were hanging and take them to your gallery wall. Find the perfect space and use a small nail or hook to hang them. Dried flowers can last up to two years, depending on the type of flower. You can extend their lifespan by hanging them away from direct light and heat, and handling them as little as possible once they are placed on display.