20 Picture-Perfect Centerpiece Ideas You Can Do in 5 Minutes

Here is an interactive and heartfelt way to celebrate someone—Mom, a recent graduate, or an expectant parent. Pass around strips of paper about 6 inches long and ask guests to write a message (like a wish, a memory, or a piece of advice) for the honoree. Twist the papers around a pen to curl them, then toss them into a large bowl. Have the guest of honor read the messages aloud during dessert.

Big blossoms, such as hydrangeas, roses, and peonies, look gorgeous displayed in an unused serving piece, like a soup tureen.

Float bright Granny Smiths in large, clear-glass vases (filled to different levels) for a whimsical still life.

A bouquet of colorful pinwheel lollipops stands steadily and cheerfully in a bucket packed with dry sand.

The rich tones of sweet peas and cabbages (yes, cabbages) work together beautifully in a creative combination.

Add jewel-toned fruit to a white bowl with sensuous lines for an easy arrangement. Look for fruits of differing sizes and shapes but with similar coloring, as with these plums and pomegranates.

What could be more delicious than a large-footed vase sparkling with foil-wrapped treats?

Pair smooth objects (lemons) with smaller, textured ones (nuts) for a compelling composition. Show it off in a glass bowl with a pedestal for drama.

An array of brightly colored sodas or juices add a fun note to a dinner.

On a steamy night, set a casual table with a bouquet of hot-colored paper flowers, guaranteed not to wilt.

Bring a splash of sunshine to your meal with a vibrant partnering of daisies and oranges.

This tone-on-tone assemblage starts with miniature citrus fruits (key limes, kumquats) and Peruvian lilies bursting with color.

Flip containers (here, acrylic boxes and lids) upside down and arrange fruit on top to create a multitiered design.

A field of gerbera daisies and wheatgrass "grow" charmingly in a rustic table runner.

Line floral arrangements down your table―if you don't have enough vases, cake tins, jelly molds, and small ice buckets make surprisingly pretty containers.

Two humble elements—a wooden salad bowl and carnations—add up to something special. Cut the stems to 3 or 4 inches, arrange them in a glass dish, and place them in the bowl.

Trim off the top of a pumpkin and hollow out the seeds. Arrange fresh flowers in a water-filled jar and place inside, or use dried leaves and twigs.

A galvanized tub becomes the base for a gathering of oversize leaves, like these from a magnolia.

For holiday decor, arrange pinecones—spray-painted gold or silver, if you wish—in vases and compotes of staggered sizes, and add festive ribbon.

Branches, whether artificial or the real deal, look striking in an arrangement. In a well-ventilated outdoor space, spray them with white paint, let dry, then display them in glass bottles or vases.