I don’t know if it was the crisp autumn air or the sudden surge of pumpkin inspiration everywhere, but a few days ago I woke up with an urge to make a fall wreath. Some people crave chocolate—I crave crafts. (Okay, I also crave chocolate. Coincidence? Maybe.)
Several readers have asked for more small DIY projects like the ones we’ve shared before, and while we’ve been swamped with painting, wallpaper removal, and renovating the sunroom, those quick homemade updates slipped off the radar. We missed them, though, so I decided a simple, budget-friendly fall wreath would be the perfect way to jump back in. Even if the house behind the door is still half wallpapered, the door itself can look festive and welcoming.
This wreath took about half an hour to make, and I spent under $15 on materials to create a generous 25″ wreath. Everything I used was faux, so I can reuse it year after year. Call it a naptime project—or an 11pm project while you catch up on your favorite show.
Here’s what I bought: a 25″ wreath for $6.99, a plastic pot of faux orange flowers for $4.99, and a stem of orange berries for $2.99. I picked these up at Garden Ridge, which had a large faux flower selection and good prices compared with other craft stores.
To start, I cut the flowers off the plant and separated each berry branch from the main stem so everything could be easily inserted into the wreath base.
I removed the green leaves as I went—leaving them made the arrangement look too tropical rather than autumnal. Then I tucked the larger flowers around the wreath, using their stems to secure them into the base. Each bunch of flowers could be pulled into smaller clusters, which allowed me to space them more evenly around the wreath.
There was a bit of trial and error as I arranged the pieces. After laying everything out once, I spent another ten minutes tweaking the placement of berries and flowers until the spacing felt balanced. I liked letting some berries spill slightly over the outer edge of the wreath to create an abundant, Thanksgiving-style look.
With our cheerful blue door, the bright orange wreath reads as upbeat and welcoming—almost springy—until you spot the berries up close and recognize the autumn vibe. To hang the wreath I used a 3M wire Command hook that sticks to the door and can be removed later without damaging the paint.
Our porch annuals recently succumbed to a few cold nights, so I added two potted mums from Home Depot to brighten the entry. We’re still searching for a new light fixture and a wider doormat, but the wreath and mums make the porch feel more inviting in the meantime.
Ignore the two-foot-tall weeds lurking behind the bushes in the background of the photos—let’s keep those our little secret.
What small craft projects have you been working on lately? Have you made any wreaths or fall decorations? It feels great to return to these quick, mood-boosting projects. After hours of stripping wallpaper and painting trim, a thirty-minute craft session with fake flowers feels like a breath of fresh air.