Elevated vs. Non-Elevated Wreath Bases Which One Should You Use?

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Have you ever stood in front of a wall of artificial wreaths and wondered why one costs so much more than another?

Or maybe you’ve ordered an evergreen wreath base online only to open the box and think, Well, this doesn’t look nearly as full as the picture.

Y’all, there is a reason for that.

One of the things I teach my wreath makers is that not every wreath base is made the same. More importantly, you don’t necessarily need the most expensive or fullest wreath base to create a beautiful finished design.

Understanding the difference between an elevated wreath base and a non-elevated wreath base can help you choose the right foundation for your project without spending money where you don’t need to.

And if you’re making wreaths to sell, knowing the difference becomes even more important because every dollar you spend on supplies affects your profit.

So, let’s talk about what you’re actually paying for.

What is an Elevated Wreath Base?

An elevated artificial wreath base is typically designed with more greenery, greater fullness, and often more realistic-looking foliage.

It may have additional tips, different types of greenery, or materials that give the wreath more dimension before you ever add a single pick or flower.

In other words, it already has quite a bit going on.

An elevated wreath can be a great choice when the greenery itself will remain an important part of your finished design. If you aren’t planning to cover much of the base, that extra fullness and realism can make a difference.

But here’s the important part.

More expensive doesn’t automatically mean better for every wreath project.

If you’re about to cover most of that beautiful premium greenery with ribbon, flowers, picks, ornaments, and sprays, you may be paying for something nobody is going to see.

And we don’t need to do that.

What Is a Non-Elevated Wreath Base?

A non-elevated wreath base is generally a simpler artificial evergreen wreath.

When you first look at one, especially before it’s properly shaped, you might think it looks a little sparse.

Don’t panic.

If you’re using that wreath as a foundation for an embellished design, you don’t necessarily need it to look finished by itself.

You’re going to add the pretty stuff!

What matters is whether the wreath gives you enough structure and greenery to support the design you’re creating.

The quick answer

An elevated wreath base provides more fullness and visual interest on its own, while a non-elevated base provides a simpler, often more economical foundation for adding florals, ribbon, greenery, and other embellishments.

If much of the original wreath will eventually be covered, the simpler base may be all you need.

Before You Judge a Wreath Base, Fluff It!

This might be one of my most repeated wreath-making tips.

Fluff. Your. Wreath.

Artificial greenery gets compressed during packaging and shipping. If you pull a wreath out of the box and immediately judge its size or fullness, you’re not really seeing what you purchased yet.

Separate those branches. Bend them. Shape them. Give everything some breathing room.

We have a complete tutorial on how to fluff an artificial wreath if you want to see exactly how I do it.

A few minutes of shaping can make a surprisingly big difference in how full your wreath base looks.

And yes, I’m going to say it again: fluff, fluff, fluff!

Which Artificial Wreath Base Should You Buy?

This is where I want you to think about the finished design, not just the wreath sitting in front of you.

Ask yourself what you’re going to add to it.

If you’re creating a heavily embellished wreath filled with greenery sprays, florals, ribbon, and other elements, you may be perfectly happy starting with a less expensive non-elevated base.

You’re using the wreath primarily for structure.

On the other hand, if you’re making a simpler design where much of the original greenery will remain visible, investing in a fuller elevated wreath base may give you the finished look you want.

This is also why I don’t want you getting hung up on the word Christmas when you see an evergreen wreath.

That base can do a whole lot more than Christmas!

I share five wreath bases you can embellish for every season because learning to look at the structure of a wreath instead of the season printed on its tag opens up so many design possibilities.

Think About What You’re Covering

Here’s an easy way to decide whether the extra cost is worthwhile.

Imagine your completed wreath.

How much of the original wreath base can you still see?

If you’re adding large floral sprays, greenery picks, a big bow, and plenty of embellishments, you’re probably covering quite a bit of it.

In that situation, ask yourself:

Am I paying extra for premium greenery I’m about to cover up?

If the answer is yes, compare it with a more economical base.

You don’t need a wreath base to do the job of your finished design.

You need it to provide the foundation for your finished design.

That’s a small distinction, but it can make a big difference when you’re purchasing supplies.

Choosing Wreath Bases When You Sell Your Designs

If you’re making wreaths for your own home, you get to choose whatever makes you happy.

When you’re selling, we need to put our business hat on for a minute.

Your materials affect your cost of goods, and your cost of goods affects your pricing and profit.

If you automatically choose the most expensive wreath base for every design, even when the customer will barely see it, you’re adding unnecessary cost.

Multiply that across 10, 20, or 50 wreaths and suddenly we’re talking about real money.

That doesn’t mean you should buy the cheapest base you can find.

We still want quality.

Instead, I want you to become more intentional about where the value needs to be in each design.

Maybe the customer is paying for those gorgeous florals. Maybe it’s the premium ribbon. Maybe the focal piece is what makes the wreath special.

Spend where it matters.

Don’t Forget About Scale

Cost isn’t the only consideration.

Think about the size and scale of the finished wreath too.

A base that looks a little underwhelming sitting on your worktable can become significantly larger once you start adding long greenery sprays, florals, bows, and picks.

Your embellishments can extend beyond the original wreath and create the visual size you’re looking for.

So don’t automatically assume you need a huge or extremely full base to make a substantial finished wreath.

Look at the whole design you’re planning to create.

Can You Use an Evergreen Wreath Base for Other Seasons?

Absolutely.

This is one of my favorite ways to help wreath makers see their supplies differently.

Evergreen doesn’t have to mean Christmas.

Once you begin layering other greenery, flowers, ribbon, and seasonal elements over an artificial evergreen base, the foundation can fade into the overall design.

You can use these types of bases for spring, summer, patriotic designs, fall, and more depending on the look you’re creating.

That’s one reason learning about different wreath bases is so useful. You’re no longer walking through the craft store asking, What Christmas wreath should I buy?

You’re asking:

What foundation will work best for the design I want to make?

That is a completely different way of shopping.

Elevated vs. Non-Elevated Wreath Base: Which Is Better?

Neither one is automatically better.

It depends on what you’re creating.

Choose an elevated wreath base when you want the base itself to contribute noticeable fullness, texture, and visual interest to your finished wreath.

Choose a non-elevated wreath base when you’re primarily looking for a sturdy foundation that you’ll build upon with additional greenery, florals, ribbon, and embellishments.

That’s really the secret.

Don’t buy your wreath base based only on how it looks before you decorate it. Buy it based on the job you need it to do in the finished design.

See how much easier that makes it?

Frequently Asked Questions About Artificial Wreath Bases

What is the best wreath base for beginners?

There isn’t one wreath base that’s best for every beginner. Start by considering what you plan to add. If you’re creating a heavily embellished design, a simpler artificial wreath base may give you the structure you need without requiring you to invest in premium greenery.

Why does my artificial wreath look flat?

Artificial wreaths are often compressed for packaging and shipping. Before deciding that your wreath isn’t full enough, thoroughly separate, bend, and shape the branches. Proper fluffing can dramatically change its appearance.

Is an expensive artificial wreath worth it?

It can be when much of the original wreath will remain visible. If you’re covering the majority of the base with florals, greenery, ribbon, and picks, consider whether you’re paying for premium features that won’t contribute much to the finished design.

Can I decorate a Christmas wreath base for spring or summer?

Yes. An artificial evergreen wreath can serve as a foundation for designs beyond Christmas. Additional greenery, florals, ribbon, and seasonal elements can completely change the look of the finished wreath.

How do I make an inexpensive wreath base look fuller?

Start by thoroughly fluffing and shaping the existing greenery. Then use your additional greenery and floral picks strategically to establish the shape, dimension, and fullness of the finished design.

Start Looking at Wreath Bases Differently

The next time you’re shopping and comparing two wreath bases with very different price tags, don’t automatically assume you need the expensive one.

Look at the greenery.

Look at the structure.

Think about what you’re adding.

Then ask yourself what you’ll actually be able to see when your wreath is finished.

Sometimes the elevated wreath will absolutely be worth the investment.

Other times? That simple little wreath sitting next to it is exactly what you need.

And y’all, I’d much rather see you save that money for some gorgeous ribbon or florals you’re actually going to see!

You don’t have to have the most expensive supplies to create something beautiful. You just need to understand why you’re choosing each element of your design.

That’s when wreath making starts becoming a whole lot more intentional and a whole lot more fun.