Skip Store-Bought Wreaths: Martha Stewart Has A DIY Solution For Any Season

Martha Stewart is a seemingly endless fountain of brilliant home decor ideas. Plus, she makes even the most complicated project look like a piece of cake. However, not all of her DIYs require a shopping cart full of supplies and tons of steps. The coffee filter wreath DIY posted on the Martha Stewart YouTube channel is a case in point. It requires just one tool and a couple of supplies. This rustic yet pretty assemblage is so simple that you could work on it during an edge-of-your-seat movie and not miss any of the action. Essentially, you glue three rows of folded, overlapping coffee filters to a wreath form to create a charming, versatile hanging decoration. Say goodbye to traditional Christmas wreaths and give this minimalist alternative a try!

Along with a glue gun and plenty of glue sticks, the only supplies needed to complete this DIY are a 12-inch straw wreath form and two 100-packs of fluted unbleached coffee filters. It's surprising how easily you can turn ordinary coffee filters into stunning spring decor — or for any other season. The warm tan of coffee filters is pleasantly neutral, but you could also use white filters to make a brighter wreath. Alternatively, dye the white coffee filters with food coloring to match your creation to your existing interior palette. Although this frilly wreath is attractive on its own, it's also plain enough for adornment. For example, use a wide seasonal, festive, or holiday-specific ribbon to hang your creation. We love this Hevricly Retro Spring and Summer Floral Wired Ribbon. It comes in a three-roll set for about $14.

Making a wreath from coffee filters involves two repetitive actions. First, you fold a filter into quarters. Then you fold about 2 inches of the triangular tip down toward the fluted edge. Now, it's time to fire up the glue gun for a serious gluing session. If you have Vaseline sitting in your medicine cabinet, it's the secret to a better hot glue gun experience. Dab a bit of the sticky substance on the nozzle of your glue gun to keep some of those pesky strings of glue at bay.

Add some glue to the folded tip of a filter, and glue it to the center of the wreath form. The ruffles should project outward (or perpendicularly) from the form. Glue another filter so that its folded tip partially overlaps the first filter's tip. Continue the process until you've completed one full rotation of the wreath form. Create two more rows of filters — one on each side of the first row — until the wreath looks full and fluffy.

Loop a generous length of wide ribbon through the wreath and tie an outsized bow for hanging. Enjoy the wreath as is or, if you wish, tuck seasonal additions, such as pine cones, faux spring flowers, or fall leaves, into the folded filters. Secure them in place with a bit of glue. Repeatedly folding the filters and squeezing the glue gun can tire your hands. To make things more efficient and reduce strain, we suggest folding a bundle of filters — about 20 at a time — and gluing them onto the wreath before moving on to another bundle.