10 Easy Fall Crafts to Bring the Outside In (Because Who Doesn’t Love Free Decor?)
Ah, fall—the time when you suddenly feel the urge to trace leaves and press flowers like you’re back in Mrs. Smith’s third-grade classroom. Remember those pinecone shenanigans? Good times. Well, why not relive those crafty days and bring a little bit of autumn inside your home without spending a dime?
Here are 10 easy fall craft ideas using nature’s freebies.
1. Leaf Art That Doesn’t Suck
Sure, you can just tape a leaf to the fridge like a kindergartener, but let’s elevate that game. Gather a few leaves in different shapes and sizes, dip them in paint, and use them as stamps on a canvas or poster board. Instant fall masterpiece! Bonus points if you can get your cat to not walk through the paint.
2. Pinecone Placeholders: Classy or Crazy?
Feeling fancy? Snag some pinecones and turn them into place card holders for your next dinner party. (Or Netflix binge night. I’m not judging.) Simply stick a small piece of paper with your guest’s name—read: your cat’s name—into the top. Boom, you’re Martha Stewart.
3. Acorn People: Because Why Not?
Channel your inner child and make little acorn people with twigs for arms and leaves for hats. It’s whimsical and a tad bit weird, but who cares? They make great desk companions, and you’ll finally have a reason for hoarding all those acorns you picked up on your last walk.
4. Nature’s Potpourri: Smells Better Than Your Gym Bag
Gather some dried flowers, pine needles, and orange peels. Throw them in a bowl with a couple of drops of essential oil (because we all have a stash of those, right?). Congrats, you’ve just made potpourri that actually smells like fall and not that suspicious musk from aisle 12.
5. Twig Picture Frames: Rustic Vibes Only
Why buy a rustic picture frame when you can make one from sticks? Just hot glue those twigs around an old frame or cardboard piece and voilà! It’s rustic-chic and a great way to display that one good photo you took of your cat in a pile of leaves.
6. DIY Leaf Garland: Pinterest, Eat Your Heart Out
Collect a bunch of leaves, press them flat, and string them together with twine to create a festive fall garland. Hang it over your mantel or, you know, across the TV. (Priorities.)
7. Pumpkin Succulent Planters: Because Pumpkins Aren’t Just for Lattes
Find some mini pumpkins, carve out the tops, and stick in a succulent. Now you have a cute planter that screams “I’m trendy and I love fall” without the mess of actually carving a jack-o’-lantern.
8. Pressed Leaf Coasters: Fancy and Functional
Press a few leaves between wax paper and then sandwich them between clear contact paper to create coasters. Just think: You can now sip your pumpkin spice latte in full fall fashion without leaving coffee rings everywhere.
9. Mason Jar Candle Holders: Cliché but Cute
Fill a mason jar with acorns, small pinecones, or even dried cranberries. Pop a tea light on top and bask in the cozy glow of your DIY candle holder. Bonus points if you manage not to spill acorns everywhere in the process.
10. Acorn Wreath: Because Your Door Deserves It
Hot glue a ton of acorns to a foam wreath base and add a big old glittery bow. It’s an easy way to tell your neighbors, “Yes, I am that person who decorates for every season, and no, I’m not ashamed.”
For a visual ideas (and possibly a few crafting fails), check out my TikTok, where I’ll be sharing all the fun decorating ideas I see today (and everyday!)
Click below to find me.
Elle on TikTok