13 creative fall craft ideas to decorate indoors and out

What better way to celebrate cozy season that with some wholesome fall craft ideas? These simple and quick projects can transform your home speedily, and elegantly

Fall craft ideas. Fall centerpiece, fall flowers, fall pine cone garland
(Image credit: Future | Styling Katrin Cargill / photographs Adrian Biscoe)

As fall starts to settle in, many of us are spending more time indoors, so what better way to while away the hours one evening or dreary weekend than by embracing some creative fall craft ideas?

Adding a more eclectic and individual touch to your fall decor ideas, DIY fall crafts can be a great way to celebrate the start of this new season – and they can be enjoyed by all the family. 

From pretty pine cone garlands, to homemade outdoor fall decor ideas and more, we have asked stylist Sara Bird and a whole host of experts to provide us with a collection of fall craft ideas that are not only quick and affordable to make, but which will be wonderfully easy to update and use during Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Christmas.

Sara Bird
Sara Bird

Sara Bird has worked on the Homes & Gardens team for many years, making seasonal projects look beautiful for us. Sara is passionate about crafts as well as re-loving and renovating homes and interiors, and she always warms to great interior ingredients.

Who says fall craft ideas can't be for adults too?

Wondering when you should start decorating for fall? We'd say right now. Even if you don't start decorating your home for another week or two, now is a great time to start some craft projects so they can be ready in time for fall – which officially starts on the 23rd September this year.

1. Bring the outdoors in with a pretty pinecone garland

pine cone Christmas garland

(Image credit: Styling Katrin Cargill / photographs Adrian Biscoe)

A natural object synonymous with fall and festive decor, pine cone decorations can beautifully uplift a home with cozy character and timeless natural charm.

Instead of just placing these decorations in bowls or on shelves and surfaces, take your crafting ideas to the next level with a glorious garland, perfect for decorating a staircase or for fall mantel ideas.

Here, renowned floral designer Philippa Craddock has played with scale and paired birch branches with tiny pine cones with bunches of extra large pine cones to make a real statement of the staircase. The design is finished with large copper ribbons which add to the warm, rustic feel. 

She says of the design, 'using branches with pinecones attached, or adding individual pinecones to branches, is a superb way to add additional shapes and textures to seasonal designs.'

Instead of a garland, pine cone wreaths also make for a great fall craft project for fall front door decor ideas and for fall wreath ideas.

Philippa Craddock
Philippa Craddock

Philippa Craddock is a renowned designer who built her flower business from her kitchen table to a seven-figure global brand within a few short years. Philippa has developed innovative and successful collaborations with Selfridges & Co., MATCHESFASHION.com, US and British Vogue, and London design museum the V&A. She has also worked closely with fashion houses and lifestyle brands including Hermès, Dior, Fortnum & Mason, Chanel, SpaceNK and Alexander McQueen.

2. Create a warming fall fragrance

Thanksgiving decor ideas

(Image credit: Richard Gadsby)

Of course, it's vital to know how to make your house smell nice throughout the year, but making your house smell like fall through a crafted, homemade fall fragrance, is the perfect way to make your home feel more festive and special during the winter months.

Learning how to make pot pourri is an enduring craft idea that can be done throughout the year. Pot pourri can not only make your house smell good, it can also be a great mason jar craft idea, perfect for a seasonal scented gift for your loved ones.

Gather together ingredients such as star anise, orange slices – these dried orange slices are Amazon's top choice, cinnamon sticks, rosemary cuttings and bay leaves, put them in a jar or decorative bowl, as shown above, and let their fragrant scents fill your home with notes of fall.

3. Craft a stand-out fall table centerpiece

Table centerpiece with pine cones

(Image credit: Future)

If you're planning on being the host with the most this fall and festive season, then you need to ensure you've got your fall table decor covered.

Here, a raised decorative bowl has been filled with fall foliage cuttings, pine cones, and candles; an easy and elegant table centerpiece that is perfect for a more rustic and organic look.

We also explore how to make a winter centerpiece in our step by step guide.

4. Decorate your porch with fruity fall candles

Fall craft idea with apples hollowed out for candle wax and flowers

(Image credit: Future)

'This fall craft idea can of course be used indoors as well as out, but we love its simplicity, especially outside on a porch or doorstep, where the cooler air temperature will ensure both the apples and the flowers will last longer,' says Jo Bailey, Homes & Gardens' print editor and stylist. 

'It's likely that local garden birds will peck at the fruit, so you may want to ensure candle drippings are removed regularly, but if you are looking to feed birds in winter, it's a great fall craft idea. Simply hollow out some apples, place candle wicks at the bottom of the hollow and pour in some wax. Leave to set and you're ready to go.'

As with all our ideas, never leave burning candles unattended.

Jo Bailey Author Profile Picture
Jo Bailey

Jo Bailey is Deputy Editor of Homes & Gardens, overseeing all features for the print edition. Before joining Future PLC, she worked as an interior stylist for over ten years, specializing in commercial photo shoots for luxury clients such as; Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Christopher Farr Cloth and Heal's. She has worked with Homes & Gardens for over a decade, having styled and produced editorial shoots and events over the years.

5. Use paint to transform a room for fall

Living room fall decor with fireplace and wood floor

(Image credit: Dan Duchars / Future)

'If you are looking for living room fall decor with a crafty feel, why not use paint tricks?' suggests Jennifer Ebert, Homes & Gardens' digital editor. 'Use stencils or paint free-hand to introduce a living room feature wall idea that's unique to your home. 

'It's also a wonderful way to introduce fall color schemes to otherwise neutral rooms, and can easily be painted over in spring – or you can introduce spring decor ideas instead.'

Jennifer Ebert
Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Deputy Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens online. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

6. Craft an easy outdoor fall decor idea

Fall craft idea with pumpkins on and around a crate

(Image credit: Future/Dan Duchars)

Looking for easy outdoor fall decor ideas? 

'Use humble terracotta pots to house pumpkins, foliage and flowers to give fall looks to doorways, entrances and for fall porch decor,' says Sara Bird. 'Use a crate to elevate and add height with more foliage and lanterns arranged on the floor. A lantern and candle will give an inviting warm glow come the evening.'

7. Hang a basket of fall foliage on a door

Fall Craft


(Image credit: Future)

Wondering how to start decorating for fall? Foraging from the yard is the easiest way to do so. 

'Gathering woodland goodies to decorate your home with seasonal fall favorites is the simplest of fall craft ideas,' says Sara Bird. 'Pick leafy branches and cut to a similar length about ⅓ taller than the basket you want to display them in. Gather in a bunch and distribute inside the basket to pleasingly fall either side of the handles. Hang from a back of a door for instant foliage flair. 

'Add a personal touch with a ribbon hung charm – in this case rustic door keys.'

8. Create a simple fall wreath

Fall Craft


(Image credit: Future)

Fall wreath's make for a staple fall craft that you can fashion from scratch, or you could make a burlap wreath and simply attach fall flowers into this plainest of bases.

'Show off shapely stems in a woodland-inspired wreath. Using a ready-made willow wreath, add lengths of grape vine to create a base, teasing the twigs out for a rustic look. Taking bendy foliage branches add around the wreath in curves, pushing in and out of the twigs and securing with florist wire. Finally push in berry, flower and seed head cuttings then hang the wreath up with a seasonally colored ribbon,' says Sara Bird, who also shows us how to make a fall wreath in our dedicated feature.

'To create a wreath for year-round use, choose preserved and dyed flowers and foliage,' – we explore decorating with dried flowers further in our dedicated guide.

9. Dress a dining table for fall

Fall table with fall craft centerpiece

(Image credit: Helen Rushton / Future)

'Similar to our stand-out fall centerpiece idea, I love to pile pine cones on to a tiered cake stand and place sprigs of berries and small fall flowers between them,' says Homes & Gardens content editor, Zara Stacey. 

'However, I love the relaxed, quick-to-assemble arrangement above. From foliage to candles, string lights to purchased fall decorations, the dining table is often the heart of the home for many – even more so during fall and the holiday season, so be sure to celebrate it with plenty of fall decor and crafts.'

Zara Stacey, content editor, homesandgardens.com
Zara Stacey

I joined Homes & Gardens in February 2022 as a Content Editor. After studying English Literature at University, I have worked as an Ecommerce Website Editor, Content Writer and Buying Intern at multiple independent businesses within the luxury retail and lifestyle sectors. My role at Homes & Gardens unites my love, experience and passion for the world of design and desire to create inspiring written content. In terms of my own personal style, I'm a huge lover of color and pattern, I especially love a pastel color scheme. I also enjoy nothing more than discovering new trends, brands and products, whether that be in fashion, interior design or lifestyle – my wish list of new things to buy is never-ending.

10. Dress a shelf or mantel for fall

Fall Craft


(Image credit: Future)

'Dress plain shelves or mantels to celebrate fall by arranging and displaying glorious autumnal bounty,' says Sara Bird. 

'One of simplest fall mantel ideas is to use a goblet or vase for cut flowers, then pick nuts, seed, fruits and leaves to fill bottles, jars and bare surfaces to give a color and texture to this focal point in the room.'

We explore how best to decorate shelves in our dedicated feature.

11. Decorate lighting for fall, indoors and out

A cozy outdoor dining area with red blankets, beige cushions and candles

Outdoor dining space by Neptune

(Image credit: Neptune)

'Whether you have a traditional chandelier in your living room or a rustic candelabra outdoors, simply twining foliage around it (real is wonderful, faux is fine!) will create a focal point that will immediately make your space feel autumnal,' says Andrea Childs, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors. 'This is a wonderful outdoor dining idea that will make al fresco gatherings feel really cozy.'

As ever, ensure naked flames are well away from anything else and don't leave candles unattended.

12. Arrange fall flowers for a quick result

Fall Craft


(Image credit: Future)

Okay, so this only just qualifies as a fall craft idea, but it's effective nonetheless. 

'Create an easy arrangement with fall foliage, flower sprigs, seed heads and berries that looks good and lasts,' says Sara Bird. 'Choose woody stems and flowers which dry stylishly, with the odd preserved sprig for stability and arrange in similar length cuttings. Watch them gradually dry and preserve, then gather up and use in a bunch to hang from ceilings afterwards.

'Pop in paper flowers for more color and a stronger shape,' she adds.

13. Uplift your coffee table with a decorative centerpiece

Fall Craft


(Image credit: Future)

Table centerpieces are not just for the dining room, coffee table decor ideas are really important for creating a stylish and alluring focal point in your living room.

'Place a seasonal arrangement in the center of the room to draw the eye – day or night,' says Sara Bird. 'Use a cake stand on which to raise and house a glass vase with a candle placed inside. Dress with seasonal foliage, flowers, berries and finds as the season changes.'

Shop fall craft supplies

FAQs

What are the best do-it-yourself fall craft ideas?

halloween gifts from grandin road

(Image credit: Grandin Road)

A final fall craft idea which is also perfect for Halloween decoration ideas and Halloween craft ideas is pumpkin painting

Great for kids, (and of course, adults) let your artistic side run wild with a paint palette and a pumpkin, ideal for displaying outdoors, on a mantel or across the shelves in your home – a pumpkin can be placed pretty much anywhere!

Lucy Searle
Global Editor in Chief

Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine. 

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