DIY A Stunning Fall Wreath Using Foraged Items From Your Yard

You don't have to spend a fortune on a stylish, seasonal wreath. Autumn brings a riot of intriguing colors and textures to your yard. You can find everything you need by just stepping outside. Mother Nature's end-of-season bounty lets you decorate for fall without spending a dime. An elegant handmade wreath is less expensive than a store-bought one and is also more environmentally friendly. When fall gives way to winter, you can pack it away for next year, or you can compost the materials you gathered and start fresh without feeling guilty about adding mass-produced plastics to the landfill burden.

You don't need much more than a wreath form and some basic craft supplies, such as hot glue and floral wire, to get started. If you want to make a completely foraged wreath, you can even make your own wreath form using vines. Almost any type of vine will work, including invasive ones such as kudzu and honeysuckle. Of course, you'll want to avoid poison ivy vines. Soften the vines by soaking them in water until they're pliable. Weave the vines together to form a circle or other shape for the base of your wreath and let it dry. If you don't have access to vines, you can create stunning DIY wreaths using empty toilet paper rolls as a base. Now you're ready to get started adding foraged elements to make a designer-inspired wreath that reflects your style and personality.

The secret to creating a show-stopping wreath is to be deliberate and make a plan. While you can get cute results by just grabbing some pretty leaves and stems and hot gluing them to the wreath form, your project will look more cohesive if you're intentional about how you put it together. You don't have to go overboard. Choosing a predominant color scheme or some inspirational examples is often enough.

Once you have a loose idea about your aesthetic, head out to your garden and start gathering supplies. You want a good mix of base material, such as dried grasses, conifer greens, and colorful leaves; filler material, such as rose hips and other small, dried flowers; and focal material, such as large dried hydrangea blossoms or sunflower heads. Lay a foundation with your base material by tucking it in around your wreath form. If it's not staying where you want it, use hot glue or floral wire to hold it in place. Then add the fillers to create volume and interest. Finally, place your focal pieces for the "wow factor." If you want, you can finish your wreath off with a bow or ribbon. There are no hard and fast rules. Just eyeball the placement of your supplies. The only thing you'll want to avoid is stark symmetry, since that's almost never found in nature. It's one of those decor mistakes that can make your home design look harsh.