How to Make a (Modern) Fall Wreath

A fall wreath that actually looks modern and cool? I’m in!

I’ve shared plenty of DIY wreaths over the years, but usually they’re winter and holiday related.

Last year, though, I made my first DIY fall wreath and now I’m in love. Especially because it means I get to play around with dried grasses and florals.

I foraged some pampas grass, broke out my beloved collection of dried palm leaves and tracked down some really pretty dried mushrooms (!!!).

All to make these simple, modern fall wreaths that are as far from grandma’s pinecone door wreath as I could get.

Not trying to hate on grandma though. She can keep those pinecone wreaths up as long as she likes.

Click through for the full breakdown for making your own modern wreath this fall.

One of the things that I like most about this fall wreath idea is that it be can hung anywhere from a blank wall in the entryway to the front door.

You can pair a few together to make a big statement or just one to keep the fall vibes to a minimum.

Great Thanksgiving decor too! Or even as teeny tiny wreath place setting decor for the Thanksgiving dinner table. 

So, I guess what I’m really trying to say here, is there are lots of possibilities with this fall decor project. Haha.

Materials Needed for Pampas Grass Wreath

• floral craft rings in various sizes*
• acrylic paint** and paint brush
• dried plants and florals***
• corn husks (optional)
• hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• yarn (optional)
• scissors

Material / Supply Notes

*I linked the exact brand I used. And I went with wreaths in the following sizes: 6 inch, 12 inch, and 16 inch.

**I used Liquitex unbleached titanium, but any craft paint in antique white would be pretty close in color, to save a few dollars on paint.

***I purchased all of my dried pieces locally – one a wholesale florist and the other at a boutique shop. And I foraged some pampas grass from an abandon lot on the way to my son’s school. Haha. But you can also buy pampas grass in some flower shops. Etsy also has lots of beautiful dried items to use.

How to Make Fall Wreaths

Start by painting the floral craft ring with a thin, even coat of paint all the way around (and the sides – not need to paint the back if it won’t be seen).

Wait for the paint to dry and do a second coat if needed.

OR instead of painting, you can wrap the craft ring in yarn. This will give your wreath a softer, more homey vibe.

It’s a little less modern and sleek than the painted ones, but wanted to share it as another option just in case.

Start by double knotting the yarn around the ring to attach it and then wrap continuously around the ring until the entire ring is covered.

Knot the end to secure and/or add hot glue.

Next, experiment with how you want all the dried pieces to be layered.

I like to start with the bigger pieces first (dried palms, pampas grass, etc) and then start layering in the medium (mushrooms, smaller grasses, corn husks) and small pieces (wheat, etc) on top.

If things are not fitting the way you want them to, don’t be afraid to cut some grasses or leaves down.

I cut two of my dried palm leaves into much smaller shapes to fit a couple of wreaths and it really helped.

Note about laying out pieces for your fall wreath

I made all of my fall wreaths asymmetrical in design because I think it adds a more modern and unique design touch.

But you can very easily create a design that is more symmetrical and/or goes over the entire surface of the wreath.

Working with corn husks

I like adding in corn husks to this fall wreath idea for extra texture.

I just rip small pieces downward from the top of the husk toward the middle of the husk to create a fringe (like the photo).

This makes a great filler for any empty areas that need to be filled in.

Once all the pieces have been mapped out, it’s time to start glueing them down.

Start with the pieces that will be touching the hoop itself (so the pieces furthest back in the layered design you’ve created).

Add a bead of hot glue to the flat part of the ring and then attach the dried pieces on top.

Be very careful with your fingers, that hot glue can burn your fingers if not careful.

Once the bottom layer is attached to the wreath, continue glueing layers on top of that one until your design is completed.

Whenever possible, try to find areas to glue to that are the floral ring itself, which is the strongest spot to secure leaves and dried items.

If that’s not possible, look for flat areas in the layers underneath whenever possible.

This will help make sure everything stay secure.

Note about glueing pieces onto your fall wreath

I found that waiting 5 minutes or so between layers is helpful.

It gives the glue time to harden and set a bit before adding additional layers that could weigh it down.

Once all the layers have been glued down, you can add small and skinny pieces of string to any areas that look like they need added security.

I did this on one of my fall wreaths as a design detail, where you can see it in the finished piece).

And one in another fall wreath where you can’t see it in the final piece (I fluffed some pampas grass around that one, so it wouldn’t be seen).

How to Hang Your Fall Wreath

Then it’s ready to hang.

If you’ve made an asymmetrical wreath like mine, you may need an extra support nail or push pin to help keep your wreath from shifting around from the asymmetrical weight.

So, I recommend adding a small finishing nail, Command hook, or push pin toward the bottom of the weighted portion of your fall wreath arrangement.

That should keep it in place and won’t be seen bc your dried florals will cover it.

Make sense? Shoot me a question in the comments if you have any trouble.

More Fall DIY Ideas

Looking for more festive fall DIYs? Try some of these…

• Fall decorating – They’re all super affordable too!
• Fall recipes – You have to try #2 on this list! So good.
• Pumpkin muffins – These are so easy and taste amazing.
• White bean soup – I make some variation of this soup every year.
• Pumpkin candy – If you like pumpkin pie, you’ll love these candy cups!
• Pumpkin ice cream – For pumpkin lovers.

More Wreath Ideas

OR maybe you just want some more wreath inspiration? I have some of that too…

• I made a giant wreath (like 3 ft tall) that’s shaped like a triangle if you want to take a look. This one might be my favorite.
• And this one will show you how to make a wreath that is more asymmetrical, which seems to be everyone else’s favorite.

How to Make a Fall Wreath

Brittni

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Ingredients

  

• floral craft rings in various sizes I linked the exact brand I used. And I went with wreaths in the following sizes: 6 inch, 12 inch, and 16 inch.
• acrylic paint and paint brush I used Liquitex unbleached titanium, but any craft paint in antique white would be pretty close in color, to save a few dollars on paint.
• dried plants and florals I purchased all of my dried pieces locally - one a wholesale florist and the other at a boutique shop. And I foraged some pampas grass from an abandon lot on the way to my son's school. Haha. But you can also buy pampas grass in some flower shops. Etsy also has lots of beautiful dried items to use.
• corn husks optional
• hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
• yarn optional
• scissors

Instructions

 

Start by painting the floral craft ring with a thin, even coat of paint all the way around (and the sides - not need to paint the back if it won't be seen).

• Wait for the paint to dry and do a second coat if needed.

OR instead of painting, you can wrap the craft ring in yarn. This will give your wreath a softer, more homey vibe. It's a little less modern and sleek than the painted ones, but wanted to share it as another option just in case.

• Start by double knotting the yarn around the ring to attach it and then wrap continuously around the ring until the entire ring is covered. Knot the end to secure and/or add hot glue.

Next, experiment with how you want all the dried pieces to be layered.

• I like to start with the bigger pieces first (dried palms, pampas grass, etc) and then start layering in the medium (mushrooms, smaller grasses, corn husks) and small pieces (wheat, etc) on top.
• If things are not fitting the way you want them to, don't be afraid to cut some grasses or leaves down. I cut two of my dried palm leaves into much smaller shapes to fit a couple of wreaths and it really helped.

Note about laying out pieces for your fall wreath

• I made all of my fall wreaths asymmetrical in design because I think it adds a more modern and unique design touch.
• But you can very easily create a design that is more symmetrical and/or goes over the entire surface of the wreath.

Working with corn husks

• I like adding in corn husks to this fall wreath idea for extra texture.
• I just rip small pieces downward from the top of the husk toward the middle of the husk to create a fringe (like the photo). This makes a great filler for any empty areas that need to be filled in.

Once all the pieces have been mapped out, it's time to start glueing them down.

• Start with the pieces that will be touching the hoop itself (so the pieces furthest back in the layered design you've created).
• Add a bead of hot glue to the flat part of the ring and then attach the dried pieces on top. Be very careful with your fingers, that hot glue can burn your fingers if not careful.
• Once the bottom layer is attached to the wreath, continue glueing layers on top of that one until your design is completed.
• Whenever possible, try to find areas to glue to that are the floral ring itself, which is the strongest spot to secure leaves and dried items. If that's not possible, look for flat areas in the layers underneath whenever possible.
• This will help make sure everything stay secure.

Note about glueing pieces onto your fall wreath

• I found that waiting 5 minutes or so between layers is helpful. It gives the glue time to harden and set a bit before adding additional layers that could weigh it down.
• Once all the layers have been glued down, you can add small and skinny pieces of string to any areas that look like they need added security.
• I did this on one of my fall wreaths as a design detail, where you can see it in the finished piece). And one in another fall wreath where you can't see it in the final piece (I fluffed some pampas grass around that one, so it wouldn't be seen).

All finished!

Notes

How to Hang Your Fall Wreath

If you've made an asymmetrical wreath like mine, you may need an extra support nail or push pin to help keep your wreath from shifting around from the asymmetrical weight.

So, I recommend adding a small finishing nail, Command hook, or push pin toward the bottom of the weighted portion of your fall wreath arrangement. That should keep it in place and won’t be seen bc your dried florals will cover it.

Make sense? Shoot me a question in the comments if you have any trouble.

Did you make this?Mention @paperandstitch or tag #paperandstitch!

Photography Amelia Lawrence

Have you ever made a fall wreath before? Or worked with dried florals or grasses? What do you think of this fall decor project?