I used to be a florist - 2 things I do to make supermarket flowers look expensive

Before I was a journalist, I spent a year or so working as a florist for one of the top boutiques in Auckland. This short-lived jaunt came to an end when I realised it was unrealistic for me personally to work two part time jobs and study full time - there's only so many hours in a day.

However, before I left, I learned a lot about flowers and particularly how to style them. I have always loved pretty things and flowers come close to the top of that list. Few things add joy to a room like fresh flowers do, and if you want them to look their best there are some expert tips I have learned.

It's knowledge that I have used year in, year out ever since and if you want to make your supermarket flowers look better, this is how to do it.

The first thing you need to do is prep all your stems. Usually supermarket flowers come pre-arranged but I prefer to ditch that. Strip the leaves that remain and trim the stems down at an angle to allow them to take in more water.

I then separate all the blooms out by their different types so I can see how many I have of each.

Fill a vase with water and set it to the side. From here, you can start arranging.

I was taught to 'spiral' all my flowers - this creates a really gorgeous, spacious bouquet and your freshly stripped and prepped stems will look organised in a vase too.

To do this, choose your first flower. I love big, dramatic bases for my bouquets - things like peonies when they're in season, or proteas look stunning but anything will work.

Lay it in your non-dominant hand and then place your second flower with the stem across it at a slight angle. Using your dominant hand, spiral the flowers 180 degrees and then continue adding to your bouquet in this manner, spiralling after every new bloom is added.

As you progress, the bouquet will fill out and it's important to keep a loose grip - don't strangle them as it becomes harder to twist. The flower stems will likely sit at different angles below your hands but don't worry - we can trim those later.

The second tip I always use is to keep a close eye on how your bouquet is shaping up. Flowers in a vase, and bouquets as gifts should look beautiful from every angle. Frequently check your bouquet and turn it round so you can make sure it's well rounded with no weird gaps or misshapen sides.

Once your bouquet is ready, measure it against the side of your vase and trim the stems down as much as needed to fit. If you want your flowers to last, it's a good idea to refresh the water daily and trim the stems daily too so don't start with them too short.

Once your bouquet is in water, all that's left to do is admire it.