Wreath Making: A Neutral Fall Wreath Idea

Wreath making is easy with the right inspiration. See how to make a beautiful fall wreath from basic craft store supplies, and save a ton of money!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved wreaths. They’ve always played a big role in my decorating style…whether it was in our first home or where we live now. There’s just something so welcoming about a wreath on the front door. It sets the tone for what’s inside and instantly makes a home feel warm and inviting. Over the years, I’ve made and shared so many wreaths here on the blog that I’ve honestly lost count. No matter the season, a wreath is one of the easiest ways to update your space and add a personal touch.

Finding Inspiration

Over the years, I’ve picked up helpful tips that have made DIY wreath making both simple and enjoyable. While the process itself is easy to learn, sometimes the hardest part is finding inspiration. That’s why I always try to keep an open mind and pay attention to wreaths I see online or in stores. For this tutorial, my inspiration came from a beautiful wreath I spotted at Pottery Barn. I loved its wispy design and the slightly unbalanced shape, which gives it a natural, relaxed feel. It’s the kind of wreath that works from early fall all the way through Thanksgiving. What I didn’t love was the $149 price tag…definitely not in my budget for seasonal door decor. So I took a closer look, studied how it was put together, and realized it was something I could recreate. My version isn’t an exact match, but it’s close—and just as charming. When you’re working from inspiration, substitutions are part of the process, so don’t be afraid to get creative and think outside the box.

Supplies Needed

• grapevine wreath form
• faux leaves
• ivory spray paint
• pumpkin picks
• berries
• cotton boll stems
• glue gun and glue sticks
• I chose not to add any lights, but these fairy lights from Amazon would be a good choice

Assembly

• In a well-ventilated space, lay the faux leaves on a piece of cardboard. Apply the spray paint. Let dry.
• Place the grapevine wreath on a flat surface.
• Place some wispy sticks into the sides of the wreath. This adds dimension and depth, but is totally optional.
• Randomly insert the pumpkin picks into the bottom of the grapevine wreath. Make sure they are secure.
• Place the leaves on the wreath, under and around the pumpkins. Trail a few leaves up the right side of the wreath. This is a “dry fit,” so move them around until you like the placement. (Pictured above.)

• Once the leaves are in place, carefully glue them to the wreath with hot glue. Lift off each leaf, and using a hot glue gun, add a bit of glue to the back, and place it on the wreath. Use a spoon or popsicle stick to press the leaf onto the wreath. (Don’t use your fingers!)
• Once the leaves are in place, add the embellishments.
• Carefully insert the berries, cotton boll stems, or other faux elements in and around the leaves.
• Make a hanger from twine or floral wire, and attach it to the back of the wreath.
• Hang and enjoy!

Variations and Substitutions

This design can easily be adapted for Christmas by starting with a pine wreath, either real or faux, instead of a grapevine base. Swap the fall leaves for spray painted poinsettia blooms or magnolia leaves, and use painted pine cones in place of pumpkins. One noticeable difference between my version and the inspiration wreath is the size. The original is a full 24 inches wide, while mine measures 18 inches. To help fill it out, I added wispy sticks and arranged some of the leaves so they extend beyond the wreath’s edge. These small touches helped create a similar look, even on a smaller scale.

Keep in mind that you can basically use anything that can be spray painted. Some ideas are faux eucalyptus, faux rosemary, dried flowers, faux sunflowers, and different types of greenery.

Finishing the Space

After I placed this new wreath on our door, I decided our porch planters needed a small update. I replaced the mums from my fall front porch refresh with large off-white faux pumpkins. I simply placed the pumpkins on the potting soil, and then wrapped the existing ivy around the pumpkins to secure them in place. This look can also be achieved by using very large real pumpkins.

Use What You Have

Before starting any craft project, take a few minutes to look through your current supplies. You might be surprised at what you already have on hand. When using an inspiration picture, don’t feel like you need to match every element exactly…substitute with similar items from your stash. For this wreath, I was able to save money by using a wreath base, cotton boll stems, and ivory spray paint I already had. I also repurposed some white berries by giving them a quick coat of the same ivory paint used on the leaves. The only things I needed to buy were the faux leaves and pumpkin picks, bringing the total cost to just $15.