Decorating with autumn leaves is a fun and inexpensive way to welcome the fall season. The beautiful colors and textures of fallen leaves can add a natural touch to any space. Here are 9 easy ways to decorate with autumn leaves both indoors and outdoors.
Gather and Preserve Leaves
The first step is collecting leaves to use in your autumn decor. Here are some tips:
- Look for leaves in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Maple, oak, and aspen leaves have vibrant hues.
- Collect freshly fallen leaves for the best color.
- Store leaves between sheets of wax paper in heavy books to dry and preserve color.
- If leaves curl, gently flatten them between sheets of wax paper weighted down.
- For dried whole leaves, coat the undersides with acrylic spray to preserve.
You can also buy bags of artificial leaves in fall colors if fresh ones are unavailable.
Make Leaf Garlands
Transform your collected leaves into festive garlands to hang indoors and outdoors.
- Use a hole punch to make holes near the stem end of each leaf.
- String leaves together using jute twine, ribbon, raffia, wire, or fishing line.
- Vary the order of leaf sizes, shapes, and colors for visual interest.
- Hang garlands over fireplace mantels, on stair railings, along the top of cabinets, or around doorways.
- For outdoors, wind garlands around railings, trees, bushes, or hang from eaves.
Craft Leaf Wreaths
Leaf wreaths made from real or faux leaves make a lovely addition to your autumn decor.
- Collect leaves in the desired colors and glue them onto a sturdy base like grapevine, wire, or foam rings.
- Apply a coat of clear acrylic spray after attaching leaves to preserve the wreath for years.
- Make a mixed leaf wreath by gluing colorful leaves in assorted shapes and sizes.
- Craft a monochromatic wreath using shades of one color like red, orange, or yellow.
- Accent with ribbon, pine cones, acorns, twigs, or a festive bow.
- Hang leaf wreaths on doors, over mantlepieces, or on walls as seasonal art.
Create Leaf Prints
Preserve the beauty of autumn leaves by turning them into decorative prints.
- Select attractive, colorful leaves at the peak of their fall color.
- Wash and thoroughly dry leaves.
- Paint one side of leaves with fabric paint or acrylics.
- Press the painted side down firmly onto paper or fabric.
- Lift leaf gently to reveal the print underneath.
- Repeat to make multiple prints of each leaf.
- Display leaf prints in shadowboxes, make into pillows, or frame.
Craft Leaf Lanterns
Turn large dried leaves into whimsical lanterns with tea lights or fairy lights.
- Choose large, sturdy leaves like birch, magnolia, or elephant ear.
- Remove some of the back center vein to make space for a light.
- Place a battery-operated tea light or string of mini fairy lights inside.
- Trim leaf stems and hang or stand in glass votives.
- Group leaf lanterns together for a magical outdoor display.
Press Leaves in Candles
Preserve autumn’s beauty by pressing colorful leaves into jar candles, gel candles, or wax melts.
- Work quickly before the wax fully hardens.
- Lay leaves underside down on the top of the cooling wax, gently pressing into the surface before candle fully sets.
- Arrange leaves attractively, alternating shapes, sizes and colors.
- Once candle has fully cooled and set, trim wicks to finish.
- Use leaves that complement the candle fragrance like cinnamon or apple.
Make Leaf Suncatchers
Create stained-glass style suncatchers with tissue paper and leaves for a window that pops with color.
- Gather leaves and sandwich between two pieces of wax paper.
- Cover with overlapping pieces of colored tissue paper.
- Carefully iron on low heat to melt and adhere the tissue paper to the leaves.
- Cut out leaf shapes from the melted tissue paper.
- Attach a string or ribbon hanger to display in a bright window.
Dry and Display Leaves
Preserve the season’s loveliest leaves to display as colorful works of art.
- Select your favorite leaves while still fully colored and attached to branches.
- Cut the stems and quickly place leaves into a flower press or between books weighted down.
- Check periodically until completely dried and flat, about 2-4 weeks.
- Apply clear acrylic spray to preserve.
- Showcase in shadowboxes, on picture ledges, or grouped in trays or bowls.
Scatter Loose Leaves
For quick and effortless fall flair, simply scatter loose fresh or dried leaves as part of your decor.
- Place leaves down table runners, on top of shelving, or along stair steps.
- Toss handfuls of leaves into clear glass hurricanes or vases.
- Scatter leaves across mantles or countertops.
- For outdoors, distribute on and around outdoor tables or fill planter boxes and pots.
- Secure loose leaves indoors with a layer of Mod Podge if needed.
With so many creative ways to use them, autumn leaves can add a punch of seasonal color to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Craft wreaths, garlands, prints and more to enjoy their colors and textures in every room this fall.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you preserve autumn leaves?
To preserve autumn leaves, collect freshly fallen leaves and sandwich them between sheets of wax paper. Weight the leaves down with heavy books and let dry for 2-4 weeks. You can also spray dried leaves with acrylic to retain colors.
What are the best leaves for pressing?
The best leaves for pressing are thin leaves that are still vibrant in color like maple, birch, oak, and aspen. Avoid pressing very thick or dried leaves.
Can you put real leaves in a candle?
Yes, you can press real leaves into jar candles, gel candles, or wax melts while they are still cooling and before they fully harden. Work quickly and press leaves gently.
What plants have big leaves suitable for crafts?
Plants with large, broad leaves that are ideal for leaf crafts include elephant ear, magnolia, birch, philodendron, palm, and caladium. Avoid poison ivy and poison oak.
How do you preserve fall leaves in resin?
To preserve fall leaves in resin, fully dry and flatten leaves by pressing between wax paper under weight. Coat leaves with a sealant spray. Pour a thin layer of resin in your mold, position leaves, and pour another layer to cover. Let resin fully cure before removing your leaf-filled resin craft.
Can I use artificial leaves for crafts?
Yes, you can use high quality artificial leaves for many autumn leaf crafts like wreaths, garlands, or displays. However, real leaves work best for printing, pressing, and resin crafts.
