As the summer days fade and the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, it’s time to embrace the cozy charm of fall. One easy and delightful way to decorate your home for this delightful season is with DIY fall garlands.
These handcrafted decorations add a touch of festive flair to your mantelpieces, doorways, staircases, or even draped across tablescapes.
This collection of 25 DIY fall garland ideas offers a variety of styles and difficulty levels, ensuring there’s a perfect project for everyone, from seasoned crafters to enthusiastic beginners.
Let’s get started on creating some fall-tastic garlands!
Natural Materials for an Earthy Touch:
Leaf Garland:
Embrace the beauty of autumn foliage with a simple yet stunning leaf garland. Collect colorful leaves on a nature walk and thread them onto twine or string. For a whimsical touch, you can punch decorative shapes into the leaves before stringing them .
Pinecone and Berry Garland:
Create a rustic and festive garland using pinecones and berries. Combine natural pinecones with faux or dried berries in various colors like red, orange, and brown. Thread them onto twine or string, alternating between pinecones and berries .
Acorn and Felt Garland:
Incorporate a touch of whimsy with an acorn and felt garland. Use felt cut into leaf shapes in autumn colors like red, orange, and yellow. Combine them with natural acorns (ensure they are securely closed) and thread them onto twine or string .
Dried Corn and Wheat Garland:
Celebrate the harvest season with a dried corn and wheat garland. Use a combination of dried corncobs, wheat stalks, and other natural elements like raffia or twine. Bundle them together and secure them with wire or twine to create a rustic and bountiful garland .
Paper and Fabric for a Colorful Display:
Paper Leaf Garland:
Create a vibrant and colorful garland using paper leaves. Cut out leaf shapes from construction paper or colorful patterned scrapbook paper. String them together using twine or thread, creating a garland that pops with color .
Fabric Scrap Garland:
Give new life to leftover fabric scraps with a fabric scrap garland. Cut fabric scraps into triangles, squares, or leaf shapes. String them together using twine or thread, creating a unique and textured garland that reflects your favorite fall colors .
Fall Paper Chain Garland:
Relive your childhood memories with a classic fall paper chain garland. Cut strips of paper in autumn colors and create paper chains in alternating colors. Connect the chains to form a long and festive garland .
Burlap and Pumpkin Garland:
Craft a charming fall garland with burlap and felt pumpkins. Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange felt and embellish them with details like leaves or vines. Layer them over burlap squares and secure them with twine or hot glue, creating a rustic and playful garland .
Festive Touches with Embellishments:
Pom-Pom and Felt Leaf Garland:
Add a touch of texture and fun with a pom-pom and felt leaf garland. Make pom-poms in fall colors like orange, yellow, and red. Combine them with felt leaves cut out in various shapes and string them together using twine or thread .
Fall Banner Garland:
Create a personalized fall banner garland with fabric or felt. Cut out banner shapes from fabric or felt and use fabric paint or stencils to add fall-themed words or phrases like “Happy Fall” or “Give Thanks.” String the banners together using twine or ribbon .
Glittery Leaf Garland:
Add a touch of sparkle to your fall décor with a glittery leaf garland. Use artificial leaves in various colors and paint them with gold or silver glitter glue. Once dry, string them together using twine or thread for a glamorous and festive touch .
Miniature Pumpkin Light Garland:
Create a luminous and festive garland with miniature pumpkin lights. Purchase a string of battery-operated fairy lights and hot glue miniature pumpkins (battery-operated versions are also available) onto the lights, creating a magical and glowing garland .
Unique Materials for Unexpected Delights:
Cinnamon Stick and Orange Slice Garland:
Slice oranges into thin rounds and dry them in a dehydrator or oven at a low temperature. Once dry, thread whole cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices onto twine or string, creating a fragrant and visually appealing garland .
Salt Dough Leaf Garland:
Create a unique and customizable garland with salt dough. Mix flour, salt, and water to form a dough. Roll out the dough and cut out leaf shapes using cookie cutters. Bake the leaves until hardened and let them cool. Once cool, paint them in fall colors and string them together using twine or thread .
Mason Jar Lid and Burlap Garland:
Upcycle old mason jar lids into a charming fall garland. Paint the lids in fall colors and embellish them with stencils, fabric scraps, or buttons. Punch holes in the lids and string them together using burlap twine for a rustic and unique garland .
Halloween-Themed Garlands for Spooky Fun:
Bat Silhouette Garland:
Create a spooky and festive garland with bat silhouettes. Cut out bat shapes from black construction paper or felt. String them together using black twine or thread for a Halloween-inspired decoration .
Ghost Garland with Cheesecloth:
Craft a whimsical and slightly spooky ghost garland using cheesecloth. Cut cheesecloth into squares and shape them into ghost forms. Draw on facial features with a black marker and string them together using twine or thread for a playful Halloween decoration .
Spiderweb and Paper Pumpkin Garland:
Combine spooky elements with a touch of whimsy with a spiderweb and paper pumpkin garland. Cut out spiderweb shapes from white paper and orange paper pumpkin shapes. Alternate them on a string of twine or thread, adding plastic spiders for an extra spooky touch .
Thanksgiving-Themed Garlands for a Grateful Touch:
Turkey Feather and Burlap Garland:
Celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving with a turkey feather and burlap garland. Combine burlap squares with colorful turkey feathers (ensure they are ethically sourced). String them together using twine or ribbon for a rustic and festive Thanksgiving decoration .
Fall Leaf and Pinecone Garland with Mini Pumpkins:
Incorporate the bounty of fall with a mixed-media garland. Combine colorful fall leaves, pinecones, and miniature pumpkins (real or artificial) onto twine or string. This creates a vibrant and harvest-inspired garland perfect for Thanksgiving .
Corn Husk Garland with Dried Corn Kernels:
For a unique and rustic Thanksgiving decoration, create a corn husk garland. Cut colorful corn husks into strips and string them together. Intersperse dried corn kernels for added texture and a touch of the harvest season .
Garlands for Special Occasions:
Fall Baby Shower Garland:
Welcome a new little pumpkin into the world with a fall-themed baby shower garland. Use fabric scraps in soft autumn colors or felt cut into baby-related shapes like onesies, baby bottles, or teddy bears. String them together using twine or ribbon for a sweet and festive decoration .
Fall Wedding Garland:
Create a romantic and elegant fall wedding garland with lace, burlap, and fall foliage. Combine burlap squares with lace doilies and dried fall leaves in muted tones like gold, brown, and burgundy. String them together using twine or ribbon for a sophisticated and autumnal wedding decoration .
Fall Birthday Garland:
Celebrate a fall birthday with a personalized garland. Use fabric or felt cut out into letters to spell out a birthday message or the guest of honor’s name. Incorporate fall colors and embellish with buttons, leaves, or small pinecones for a festive touch .
Thankful Banner Garland for Thanksgiving:
Express your gratitude with a thankful banner garland. Cut out banner shapes from fabric or felt and use fabric paint or stencils to add the word “Thankful” or other words of gratitude. String the banners together using twine or ribbon for a heartfelt Thanksgiving decoration .
Pro Tips for Flawless Fall Garlands:
- Plan your color scheme: Choosing a cohesive color palette will ensure your garland looks polished and intentional. Draw inspiration from nature’s fall hues like red, orange, yellow, brown, and green.
- Prep your materials: Ensure all materials are clean and dry before starting your project. If using natural elements like leaves or pinecones, dry them thoroughly to prevent mold or mildew.
- Consider the weight of materials: If using heavier materials like pinecones or small pumpkins, opt for a sturdier twine or string to prevent sagging.
- Vary the textures: Combining materials with different textures like felt, burlap, paper, or natural elements adds visual interest and depth to your garland.
- Think about the length: Measure the space where you plan to hang your garland to determine the appropriate length. Make sure it’s long enough to fill the space without appearing overwhelming.
- Experiment with spacing: Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spacing between elements on your garland. Tightly packed elements create a denser look, while looser spacing allows for a more airy and elegant feel.
- Add finishing touches: Embellish your garland with additional elements like beads, twine, buttons, or ribbons for an extra touch of personality.
- Hang it with pride! Display your handcrafted fall garland on your mantelpiece, doorway, staircase, or even draped across a table for a festive touch throughout the autumn season.
By following these tips and letting your creativity flow, you can create stunning DIY fall garlands that will add a touch of autumn charm to your home. So grab your crafting supplies, embrace the spirit of the season, and get ready to transform your space with these delightful fall decorations!
