DIY Flower Paper Lanterns Tutorial

Sometimes you get an idea you’re so excited about and it turns out even better than you imagined in your mind.  That’s exactly what happened with these gorgeous DIY flower paper lanterns I dreamed up.

I wanted to create dreamy, feminine, and colorful paper lanterns that looked natural.  These beauties can be used for party decorations, spring celebrations, bridal and baby showers, wedding and reception decorations, birthday parties, or even as nursery or girls’ room decor!

These gorgeous DIY flower paper lanterns are just that.  Bonus points for being super simple to make with only a few supplies that you’ll need!

Oh, and did I mention that these will last forever?  These flowers are artificial, so you don’t have to worry about wilting droopy leaves or how far in advance you can make these.  They will last for a very long time!

My friends at Oriental Trading sent me some pretty white paper lanterns for this project.  They’ve got a large selection of paper lanterns in all different colors and sizes, and for great prices too.

Before you start, think about the color scheme of your party or room decor and choose high quality flowers and leaves that match those colors.  You’ll want to choose the most realistic flowers that you can so that your finished floral paper lanterns look real.  You won’t need very many flowers for each lantern, so it’s worth it to invest in realistic flowers.

DIY Flower Paper Lanterns Tutorial

Supplies:

• Paper lanterns (I used white 12″ paper lanterns but feel free to get creative and experiment with different colors and sizes)
• High quality silk flowers and leaves
• Glue gun

STEP 1.  Remove the flower heads you’ll be using from their stems by pulling on the whole flower to remove it.  Cut off the leaves in clusters, and then cut some individual leaves off as well. Add the wire to the inside of your paper lantern to open it.

STEP 2.  At the top of your paper lantern (the end with the wire hook), glue on a cluster of leaves with your glue gun so that they are hanging down.

Right next to that cluster add a large flower by putting hot glue onto the back of the flower, then carefully holding it in place for a minute while the glue cools.

STEP 3.  Repeat this process by adding more and more flowers and leaves that cascade down and around the front of the paper lantern.

I only wanted flowers around the front of my paper lanterns because I hung mine so that they stayed in place.

Just keep in mind that depending on how you hang your lanterns, they might move, so you may want flowers around the entire paper lantern.  It’s up to you!

If you hang them from a tree like I did, you can do it in a way that they won’t turn so you can save on flowers and make more lanterns, which is definitely a good thing.

Be sure to have some variety in your lanterns.  Add both large and small blooms, dark green and bright green leaves, bright flowers with white flowers, and more to create visual interest.

I’m absolutely in love with these DIY flower paper lanterns and am so excited to use them again soon!

You can remove the wire from the inside and close these up slightly to store.  Just be careful not to scrunch the top up too much where the flowers are.

Learn how to make a floral hoop wreath with some of these same flowers.  Mine is hanging in my living room, but these are also perfect party decor!

Here are more of my favorite spring projects-

Spring Boho Party 

DIY Rustic Wood Planter Box 

How to Make a Beautiful Charcuterie Board

Backyard Camping Party + FREE Printables

Glamping Tips and Tricks