I’d seen them all over Pinterest — flower-filled resin tables that looked like something out of a dream. But none of them felt personal. They looked staged. Pretty? Sure. But not like mine. Then I found this faux bouquet tucked in a drawer — soft pastels, delicate textures — and suddenly I couldn’t let the idea go. What if I could preserve it in a table? Not as decoration, but as the heart of the piece?
The Idea That Wouldn’t Leave Me Alone
I’d seen flower tables before, but none felt personal
I didn’t want something that looked like it came from a wedding centerpiece. I wanted a floral epoxy table design that felt handmade, moody, almost like a pressed flower journal — just in table form.
One faux bouquet changed everything — I had to try preserving it in resin
I knew real dried flowers could brown, mold, or lose their color over time. So I picked realistic faux dried flowers instead. They gave me the softness and organic shapes I wanted — without the rot, the color fade, or the heartbreak mid-cure.
Picking the Right Flowers (And What Didn't Work)
Some flowers looked stunning — others turned brown overnight
Before I committed to faux, I tested a few real petals. Even with silica gel and perfect drying, they turned dull fast. Some went translucent. Some cracked. That’s when I realized faux was the safer route for anything meant to last. I explain more about material prep in my wood and resin prep guide.
What I learned about drying methods the hard way
Even fake flowers need prep. I trimmed stems, flattened bulky petals, and sealed anything that looked like it might float. Laying them out dry, under weight, helped keep the form flat for pouring.
Finding the Right Resin Setup for This Kind of Pour
Why I didn’t go with my usual deep pour mix
Deep pour resin works great for river tables — not so much for delicate layouts. I needed a slow cure but not too deep, or my flowers would float. I used a layering approach with a clearer tabletop resin to keep everything in place. If you’re new to resin types, my blog on epoxy differences breaks it all down.
The balance between clarity and cure time (and how I nearly messed that up)
I got greedy on one pour — mixed too much in one go, and it overheated. Some petals curled from the heat. From that point on, I poured in thinner layers and took my time. Resin doesn’t forgive impatience.
Laying Out the Flowers Felt More Like Art Than Craft
I thought symmetry would be key — it wasn’t
I tried sketching out a balanced layout, but it looked stiff. The best results came when I let the flowers fall naturally and just responded to the shapes.
How I built the layout to feel organic and layered
I started with the largest blooms, then worked in filler like faux baby’s breath and leafy elements. A few angled stems gave the piece movement. Less Pinterest grid, more pressed garden.
The Pour Was Tense — Here’s What I Got Right (and Wrong)
What surprised me when resin hit the petals
Some flowers looked flat until the resin hit — then they glowed. Others shifted slightly, and I had to nudge them back with a toothpick before the resin started to thicken.
How I dealt with trapped air and floating stems mid-pour
I poured slow, used a heat gun sparingly, and let each layer sit before topping it. Faux florals don’t trap moisture like real ones, but air still hides in crevices. A few quick taps on the mold helped too. For more pour-specific techniques, check out my mold-building guide.
What I’d do differently if I did it again
Seal everything better. Even faux flowers can release microbubbles. Next time, I’d pre-seal the whole layout with a thin resin coat before doing the full pour.
Seeing the Flowers Sealed in Resin Was... Emotional
The way light passed through the petals shocked me
There’s something powerful about seeing flowers suspended in a clear river of resin. It almost felt like time had stopped. Like the table remembered something. If this style speaks to you, I break down more ideas in my blog on epoxy table ideas I’ve tried.
Suddenly, it felt more like a memory than a table
I hadn’t expected the emotional punch. But when I stepped back and saw it cured and polished? That mix of faux dried flowers and clear resin turned into something way more meaningful than a DIY project.
FAQs I Had Before Starting (That You Might Be Asking Too)
Do all dried flowers work in resin?
Not really. Real dried flowers often discolor. Faux dried flowers are more reliable for long-term clarity and color.
How do you stop flowers from turning yellow or brown?
Use faux. If you go real, you’ll need to fully dry and seal them — and even then, it’s a gamble. I talk more about durability in this blog on epoxy durability.
Can you do this without a vacuum chamber or fancy tools?
Yes. I made this table with patience, a good mold, and slow-pour epoxy. No chambers, no pressure pots. Just attention to detail and thin layers.
Would I Make Another One? Honestly, Yes — But With Tweaks
The biggest change I’d make next time
Pre-seal all the florals with a light resin coat before pouring. That alone would’ve saved me a few air bubbles.
What flower types I’d try for a more sculptural look
Faux daisies, dried thistle, eucalyptus — anything with structure and contrast. The right mix of texture makes the table pop. And if you’re looking for the perfect shape, here’s what happened when I tried an oval epoxy build.
Why this might become my go-to for keepsake tables
There’s something timeless about a flower resin table — especially one made with meaning. Whether it's wedding colors, memory-inspired palettes, or just your favorite blooms, this style tells a story.
Faux flower epoxy tables have become some of my favorite builds to date. If you want a custom piece or hit a wall building your own, feel free to drop a comment or reach out—happy to help. Have a blessed day!
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