Natural Fall Decor DIYs: Wreaths, Herb Bundles, and Arrangements

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, it’s the perfect time to bring the beauty of autumn into your home. Instead of relying on store-bought items, why not explore a more sustainable approach? One that celebrates nature and deepens your connection to the season.

This guide will show you how to create stunning, natural fall decor using organic materials from your backyard, local parks, or farmers’ markets. Get inspired to craft minimalist decor that captures the essence of autumn—simple, natural, and beautifully captivating.

While this article is about creating natural fall decor, I personally like a mix of natural fall decor, DIY-crafted decor, and some store-bought Halloween decor. This doesn’t have to be all or nothing! You can create your natural seasonal decor and put out a few (or a lot of) cute Halloween decor pieces you got at an outlet store. No judgment here!

The Beauty of Natural Fall Decor

There’s something magical about decorating with items plucked straight from nature. Not only does it create a more authentic autumnal atmosphere, but it also allows us to practice gratitude for the abundance around us. By using natural materials, we’re embracing eco-friendly fall decor practices that reduce waste and connect us more deeply to the world outside. And if you can find what you need in your yard or neighborhood, them it can be a completely free way to decorate your home for fall.

I made this beautiful wreath with plants I found in my yard and a couple of thrifted items.

Harvesting from Your Yard

Your first stop for natural fall decor? Step right outside. Your yard or neighborhood is a treasure trove of seasonal beauty. Keep an eye out for:

• Fallen leaves in vibrant hues
• Pinecones and acorns
• Bare branches for sculptural arrangements
• Thin flexible branches for wreath making
• Late-blooming flowers
• Ornamental grasses
• Anything you gravitate towards!

Take a walk around your property with fresh eyes. Look for items that could be used to make a centerpiece for your table, and herb bundle, a floral arrangement, or a wreath. Embrace the imperfect beauty of these elements – a slightly curled leaf or asymmetrical branch adds character to your decor.

We are fortunate to live in a somewhat rural place with a wild and gorgeous yard, and several cultivated herb bushes. In our yard, I found beautiful gold reed canary grass, palm fronds, deodar cedar, lemon-scented gum eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, echinacea, sage, and bright purple flowers from our butterfly bush. However I only took two of those since it is the end of the growing season for the butterfly bush, and I wanted to leave flowers some for butterflies.

Foraging in Your Area

If your yard is coming up short, consider expanding your search (always respecting local regulations and private property). Parks, forests, and even urban green spaces can offer:

• Wild berries and rosehips
• Interesting seed pods
• Colorful lichen-covered sticks
• Pretty fall flowers
• Wild grasses

Remember, the goal is to tread lightly. Take only what you need, and never strip an area bare. You can go back and forage more later if needed. The beauty of natural fall decor lies in its ephemeral nature – enjoy it for the season, then return it to the earth.

Shopping Farmers Markets

Support local growers and artisans while sourcing stunning organic fall decor:

• Heirloom pumpkins and gourds
• Dried corn and wheat sheaves
• Fresh-cut or dried flowers
• fresh herbs
• Locally made candles

Farmers markets offer materials that bridge the gap between fully foraged and store-bought decor. Plus, you’re supporting your local economy and reducing transportation emissions – a win-win for eco-friendly fall decor enthusiasts.

DIY Natural Fall Decor Projects

Now that we’ve gathered our materials, let’s dive into some simple natural fall decor DIYs. These minimalist fall decor ideas focus on allowing the natural beauty of your finds to shine.

How to Make a Natural Fall Wreath

A wreath is the perfect way to welcome the season. Here’s how to create one using foraged materials:

• Start with a base: Use flexible branches (grapevine, willow, eucalyptus, etc.) If you don’t have branches that will work, or if you want to start with a sturdy circle, you can source things around your home to create a circle. I like to use old embroidery hooks, but any wire or even an old wire hanger can work. Whatever you use, start your wreath by forming a ring about 12 inches in diameter. For this project, I used an embroidery hoop to start.

• Start with your largest pieces and begin to weave them together to form a circle, or attach them to your circular armature. You might need to use floral tape or twine in the beginning to keep the base together. I started with eucalyptus branches and secured them with tape and twine. It will look sparse and awkward at first, but it will come together in the end. Trust the process.

Fill in the Gaps and Enjoy the Process

• Once the base is strong and sturdy, you can begin to weave your decorative plants into the wreath, securing them with floral wire or twine or perhaps hot glue if necessary. You might want to work in one direction around the wreath for a cohesive look.
• Fill in gaps: Use smaller individual elements to cover any exposed wire, twine, tape, or gaps between bundles. I used little lavender and rosemary sprigs to fill everything in.

• Add a finishing touch: A simple ribbon bow made from natural fibers like jute or linen to cover twine and add a beautiful accent. I had these ribbons left off from Christmas last year, since they are not made of natural fibers, I’ll remove them and anything else that can’t be composted when I discard the wreath at the end of the season. This decor is from the earth and can be returned to the earth.

Remember, asymmetry and imperfection add charm to natural fall decor. Embrace the unique character of each element as you create your one-of-a-kind wreath.

The Wreath Results

I am so happy with the finished product. I make a second smaller one for our back door as well.

Crafting Fall Herb Bundles For Display or Scentscaping

Dried herb bundles can be a beautiful fall decor element to hang in windows or doorways.

1. Gather your herbs: I like to use lavender, rosemary, and sage as they grow in abundance in my yard. But use whichever herbs you prefer.
2. Tie the end together with a natural fiber twine, so the entire bungle can be composted when you are finished with it.
3. Attach a loop to the end with knots and hang from a nail.

I made this one with lavender, rosemary, and sage. It smells absolutely heavenly.

If you love the scent of herbs like this, you might love this post that details how to make your own natural linen spray with essential oils.

Scent As a Part of Your Natural Fall Decor

Another form of herb bundle, the smudge stick, can be used to add a wonderful smell to your home, and if you’re into that kind of thing, cleanse the energy of your home. Which might be a good idea as we head into winter and spend a lot more time indoors. Smudge sticks, add wonderful scent and visual interest to your natural fall decor:

1. Choose your herbs: Sage, rosemary, lavender, and thyme work well. Mix dried and fresh for varied texture.
2. Gather and align: Create a bundle about 6-8 inches long, aligning the stems.
3. Secure tightly: Use natural twine to bind the bundle, starting at the stems and wrapping tightly up the length, then back down. Make sure to use natural fiber twine so it will be safe to burn and will not contain plastic.
4. Dry properly: Hang your bundles upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks.
5. When you’re ready to use your smudge stick, light one end over a bowl, let it burn for a moment, then put out the flame. If so inclined, this is the time to set your intention for the practice. I like to wish health for my family this time of year, going into cold and flu season. Walk around your home letting the smoke fill the air.
6. Be sure to fully extinguish when finished.

Display these in a ceramic bowl, hang them around the house, or use them as thoughtful, organic fall decor gifts for friends.

Fresh and Dried Arrangements For Beautiful Natural Fall Decor

Creating stunning floral and greenery arrangements to bring fall indoors;

For fresh arrangements:

1. Start with a clean vase filled with fresh water.
2. Create a base layer of greenery, crossing stems to create a supportive structure. You can use a floral frog flower arrangement tool to help spread out the design and keep things in place while you work.
3. Add your focal flowers, starting with the largest blooms.
4. Fill in with smaller flowers and interesting elements like berries or grasses.
5. Finish with delicate elements like wispy grasses or tendrils.

For dried arrangements:

1. Choose a vessel that complements your minimalist fall decor aesthetic – ceramic, wood, or glass.
2. Start with your largest elements. Add height with elements like wheat stalks or dried branches.
3. Incorporate smaller textures like dried flowers, leaves, and berries
4. Finish with airy elements like dried baby’s breath or Autumn Joys- a perfect flower for the season.

I started with this thrifted vase I DIYed. It was a blue glass when I bought it and I used acrylic paint mixed with baking soda to give it a textured look.

The key to both is balance – in color, texture, and form. Don’t overcrowd your arrangements; let each element have space to shine.

Move the flowers around until they feel beautiful and balanced to you. It’s your home, your taste is what matters!

Embracing Minimalist Fall Decor

As we create our natural fall decor, it’s important to remember that less is often more. Minimalist fall decor isn’t about deprivation – it’s about intentionally choosing pieces that bring joy and reflect the season without overwhelming your space.

Consider creating vignettes – small, curated groupings of your natural elements. A weathered wooden bowl filled with pinecones and acorns, or a simple branch displayed in a tall vase can speak volumes. The beauty of organic fall decor lies in its subtlety and ability to transform a space with just a few thoughtful touches.

The Ethos of Natural Fall Decor

By choosing natural and minimalist fall decor, we’re doing more than just decorating – we’re making a statement about our values. This approach reflects:

1. Respect for nature: We’re celebrating the season’s beauty.
2. Gratitude for the harvest: Using elements from local sources connects us to the abundance of autumn.
3. Sustainability: By foraging or buying locally, we reduce the demand for mass-produced decor that often ends up in landfills.
4. Mindfulness: Creating our own decor encourages us to slow down and appreciate the process, not just the end result.

Again, this is not and all of nothing approach. I have lots of thifted and purchased Halloween that I used over and over every year. But I also love to mix in some natural fall decor that matches my home’s decor.

Caring for Your Natural Fall Decor

To extend the life of your creations:

• Refresh water in fresh arrangements daily
• Gently dust-dried decor with a soft brush

Remember, part of the beauty of natural fall decor is its ephemeral nature. As the season progresses, don’t be afraid to swap out elements that have passed their prime. This evolution mirrors the changing world outside our windows, keeping our decor fresh.

When you are finished, simply place the natural fall decor items back in your yard, green waste bin, or compost.

A Return to Simplicity

As we create and surround ourselves with these natural decor elements, we’re doing more than just decorating for fall. We’re reconnecting with the rhythm of the seasons, finding beauty in imperfection, and creating homes that reflect a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

This approach to natural fall decor invites us to slow down, observe, to create with our hands. It reminds us that true beauty often lies in simplicity and that the most meaningful decorations are those that tell a story – of a crisp autumn walk, of a bountiful harvest, of the ever-turning wheel of the year.

So this fall, as the world outside transforms in a blaze of color, let’s bring that magic indoors in the most natural way possible. With a bit of creativity and an eye for organic fall decor, we can create spaces that are not only beautiful but also deeply connected to the world around us.

Here’s to a season of natural beauty, mindful creativity, and homes that truly reflect the soul of autumn.