A fall wreath is one of the quickest ways to make a front door feel seasonal. The trouble is that store bought wreaths are often bulky, expensive, and covered in bright orange that clashes with a calm, modern home.
A DIY fall wreath on a simple metal hoop solves that. It uses a small cluster of dried grasses, eucalyptus and soft leaves instead of a full ring, so it looks light and modern and needs fewer stems. Supplies usually run $20 to $40, and the wreath takes about an hour.
Late October is a great time to make one, since it carries straight through Thanksgiving. After that, you can swap the stems for winter greenery and reuse the hoop.
What You Need
- A metal wreath hoop, 12 to 18 inches across (brass, gold or matte black)
- Preserved or dried eucalyptus, 3 to 5 stems
- Dried grasses such as bunny tail, pampas or wheat, a small bunch
- Faux fall leaves in soft rust, cream or muted gold, 4 to 6 stems
- Green paddle floral wire
- Wire cutters
- A low-temp glue gun and glue sticks (optional)
- Clear hairspray (optional, to keep grasses from shedding)
- Ribbon in linen or velvet, about 1 yard
- A wreath hanger or a removable door hook
A good rule is to pick one main texture, one supporting texture and one accent. Too many types of stems make a small hoop look cluttered.
How to Make Your Fall Wreath
- Prep the stems. Lay everything out on a clean surface. Trim stems to 6 to 10 inches with wire cutters. Lightly mist dried grasses with clear hairspray outdoors and let them dry for 15 minutes to reduce shedding.
- Plan the placement. Lay the hoop flat. Decide where the cluster will sit, usually the lower left or the bottom third. A cluster that covers about a third of the hoop looks balanced.
- Start with the base layer. Hold two eucalyptus stems against the hoop, pointing in opposite directions so they meet in the middle. Wrap floral wire tightly around the stems and hoop four or five times.
- Add the grasses. Tuck small bundles of grass in on top, angled slightly outward, and wire each bundle in place. Work from the outside edges of the cluster toward the center.
- Add the accent leaves. Place faux leaves near the center of the cluster where the stems meet. This hides the wire and draws the eye.
- Cover the wire. Hide the visible wire with one last short stem or a single leaf. A small dot of hot glue holds it in place if needed.
- Check the shape. Hold the wreath up or hang it and step back. Fill gaps with short pieces, and snip anything that sticks out too far.
- Add the ribbon. Tie the ribbon at the top of the hoop and use it to hang the wreath, or tie a simple bow near the cluster and hang the hoop on a wreath hanger.
Safety note: Floral wire ends are sharp, so tuck them toward the back. Keep hot glue on its stand and away from children. Preserved eucalyptus is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so hang the wreath out of reach of curious pets.
Three Easy Variations
Neutral and Soft
Pampas, bunny tail grass and cream faux leaves on a brass hoop. This one suits almost any door color and looks especially good on white, black or deep green doors.
Warm Harvest
Wheat, rust and muted orange faux leaves and a few dried stems of oak leaves. Tie it with a velvet ribbon in a deep rust color for a cozy look that carries into Thanksgiving.
Eucalyptus and Pumpkin
Preserved eucalyptus with three small white faux pumpkins glued in the center of the cluster. It looks fresh and green but still reads as fall.
Where to Hang It
- Front door: the classic spot. Use a removable over the door hanger to avoid holes.
- Inside on a mirror: a hoop wreath hung by ribbon over a round mirror looks lovely in an entry.
- Above a mantel or console: two smaller hoops side by side add a seasonal touch indoors.
- On kitchen cabinets: small 8 inch hoops tied on with ribbon look sweet on upper cabinet doors.
Care Tips
- Avoid direct, harsh sun. Dried stems fade quickly in hot afternoon light.
- Watch out for storm doors. A glass storm door in full sun can trap heat and dry out or fade the wreath faster.
- Keep it dry. Dried materials can mold or droop in rain. A covered porch is ideal.
- Store it carefully. After the season, remove the stems you want to keep, wrap them in tissue paper, and store them in a box. The hoop can be reused for winter greenery.
A simple hoop wreath is a small project with a big effect. Choose a palette you love, keep the cluster loose and natural, and your door will feel ready for fall in about an hour.
Are you team neutral grasses or team warm rust leaves for your fall wreath this year? Tell us in the comments.
Quick Questions
How do I keep dried grasses from shedding?
Mist them lightly with clear hairspray outdoors and let them dry before using. It holds the seed heads in place and greatly reduces mess.
Can I use fresh eucalyptus instead of preserved?
Yes. Fresh eucalyptus dries naturally on the wreath and keeps its shape fairly well, though the color fades to a softer gray green over a couple of weeks.
How big should a fall wreath be for a front door?
For most standard doors, a 16 to 20 inch hoop looks right. For a narrow door or a double door, two smaller hoops of 12 to 14 inches work well.
How long will a dried fall wreath last?
With some shade and shelter from rain, a dried wreath easily lasts the whole season. Stored carefully, many of the stems can be used again next year.
