Even though the stifling heat of the summer is nothing but a memory, it still isn't so cold that you can't leave your home. It's the perfect time to take advantage of the colors and flavors that accompany fall (unless you're one of the few who isn't a fan of pumpkin spice.)
One of the best ways to take advantage of all of fall's bests is by decorating — and no, it doesn't have to be all about Halloween and you don't need to be an outdoorsy person to appreciate the season, either. Whether you live on a large, sprawling ranch, or in tiny studio apartment, everyone can cultivate that sense of warmth and comfort that comes with arriving home during the fall season.
The easiest way to adopt the natural beauty that comes with the colors of fall can begin with your very own front door. Sure, you could go with a time-tested staple and hang a wreath of pine needles, or place a pumpkin next to the door — all excellent options. Or you could get really creative and think outside the box a little.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for decorating your front door to make sure your home stands out in the neighborhood!
1. Rake Head Arrangement
What you'll need:
- Rake head
- Burlap sack
- Leaves, plastic, or natural
- Grapevine wreath
- Floral wire
- Safety pin
How to make it:
- Soak the grapevine wreath in a bowl of water overnight to make it pliable.
- Attach wreath to the rake head in desired position and attach with the floral wire.
- Attach leaves with floral wire.
- Cut a strip off the burlap sack and tie into a bow. Use safety pin to keep bow tied.
- Wire safety pin to rake head
2. Hanging Letters
What you'll need:
- Mdf classic font wood letters, 9.5″
- Liquid glue/gloss
- Paintbrush
- Wire hooks
- Patterned scrapbook or tissue paper
- Wide ribbon
- Scissors
How to make them:
- Trace your letter onto patterned paper, leaving about 1/2 inch border and cut it out.
- Apply a thick layer of glue or gloss over the front and sides of the MDF letter. Stick the paper on the letter, fold, and press around the edges.
- Cover the entire letter with another layer of glue or gloss and allow to dry.
- Tie each letter with varying lengths of ribbon and add any adornments you like.
- Hang the letters from your door.
3. Hanging Pinecones
What you'll need:
- Pinecones
- Wire
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Hot glue gun
- Ribbon
- Scissors
How to make them:
- Paint your pinecones a different color or just leave them be — it’s up to you.
- Make little rings from wire and attach them to the top of the pinecones with hot glue.
- When the glue hardens, cut and add some ribbon and hot glue it around the ring.
- Tie the ribbons off-set from one another onto a wire hoop.
4. Can Of Flowers
What you'll need:
- Silk flowers
- Metal can
- Styrofoam
- Ribbon
- Wire cutters
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Buttons or other decorations
How to make it:
- Clean the can and then stuff styrofoam inside.
- Add ribbon using the hot glue going up the sides of the can, forming a big loop and also add ribbon around the can.
- Cut the silk flowers apart and stick them into the styrofoam.
5. Leaf Initial
What you'll need:
- Mdf classic font wood letter, 9.5″
- Plastic leaves
- Spray adhesive
- Ribbon
How to make it:
- Sprayed the letter with adhesive
- Lay the leaves out the way you wanted them, positioning them so that they overlap.
- Tie ribbon to top of letter.
6. Straw Hat Scarecrow
What you'll need:
- Floppy straw hat with a wide brim
- Autumn leaves and flowers
- ½ package of Natural Raffia
- 2 large plastic eyes
- 4 silk autumn leaves
- Hot glue gun
- 1 roll of 1½″ wide wire wrapped ribbon
- Long piece of black felt
How to make it:
- Fold over the brim of the hat and hot glue it in place securely.
- Take your leaves and flowers and separate them from the end so that you have individual pieces of greenery.
- On the folded-over brim area, start poking the pieces through in a pleasing arrangement. Finish with a sprig of leaves straight through the center into the back area of the hat and secure by twisting the stems.
- Make the face by gluing on the eyes and making a mouth out of felt.
- Arrange the raffia hair the way you want it and hot glue four silk autumn leaves so that they look as though they are falling from the trees on the scarecrow. This also sort of holds the raffia in place.
7. Hanging Wheat Arrangement
What you'll need:
- Real or craft wheat
- Scissors
- Rubber band
- Wreath hanger
- Ribbon
How to make it:
- Gather your wheat bunch with a rubber band to hold the stems in place.
- One layer at a time, cut to desired length with scissors.
- Twist the stems to give a nice round, full, effect.
- Secure to wreath hanger by the rubber band and add ribbon.
8. Corn And Flower Arrangement
What you'll need:
- Cobs of corn
- Real or plastic flowers
- Wire
- Ribbon
How to make it:
- Place the corn on the stems of the flowers and wrap some of the wire around it to hold it in place.
- Cover the wire with ribbon.
9. Welcome Basket
What you'll need:
- Basket
- Real or plastic flowers
How to make it:
- Simply fill the basket with flowers until it is overflowing and attach to the door.
10. Custom Wood Tags
What you'll need:
- ½” plywood
- Drill
- Rope
- Ballpoint pen
- Paint
- Paintbrush
- Wood gloss
How to make them:
- Cut ½” plywood to size and drill a 1″ hole at center top. The tags in the photo are 18″x7″.
- Using a ballpoint pen, trace letters onto wood. Paint on and inside the indent left behind by the pen.
- Seal with clear gloss.
- Add rope and tie in knot at the top.
