Nature's Palette: 19 Stunning Fall Leaf Decoration Ideas

Ginny in Gifts & Flowers Oct 09 • 15 min read

Fall is a season that paints the world with breathtaking colors and a cozy ambiance. As the leaves change into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, the opportunity to bring a bit of that autumnal magic indoors is at your fingertips. Using leaves in your fall decor is an excellent way to capture the beauty of nature, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home.

Whether you're a seasoned crafter or simply looking to enhance your seasonal decor, decorating with leaves provides endless possibilities. From table settings to family-friendly activities, here's a comprehensive guide on 19 creative ways to use leaves in your fall decorations.

1. Choose Your Leaves Wisely

To truly capture the essence of fall, begin by selecting the right leaves. When you're out for a walk, take a moment to pick up leaves that come in a variety of hues and shapes. Look for the deepest reds, vibrant oranges, rich yellows, and even some with a green tint for contrast. Maple leaves, oak leaves, and sweetgum leaves are great choices for their beautiful range of colors and shapes.

Selecting freshly fallen leaves (rather than overly dry or crumbled) will ensure they maintain their shape better when used for decorations. Each leaf you choose will tell a story of the changing season, so pick those that speak to you!

2. Preserve Your Leaves

Once you've gathered your leaves, you'll want to preserve them to maintain their beauty. There are two popular methods to keep your leaves looking fresh: pressing and drying.

Pressing Leaves: This involves placing the leaves between wax paper sheets and then setting them in a heavy book for about a week. The wax paper helps retain the color while flattening them.
Drying Leaves: Alternatively, you can dry leaves by placing them between two paper towels and microwaving them for 30 seconds to a minute. This technique works wonders if you need leaves ready in a pinch.

Preserving leaves allows you to enjoy their rich colors longer and makes them suitable for various DIY projects throughout the season.

3. Mix and Match

One of the joys of decorating with leaves is the ability to play with sizes, shapes, and colors. Create visual interest by mixing different types of leaves in your displays. For example, pair large oak leaves with smaller, dainty leaves like birch or aspen. You can also introduce contrasting colors like pairing bright yellow ginkgo leaves with deep crimson maple leaves.

This variety in texture and size will give your arrangements depth and keep them from looking flat or monotonous. It’s all about combining nature’s gifts in a way that feels organic and eye-catching.

4. Use Nature as a Palette

Why stop at just leaves? Enhance your fall displays by incorporating other natural elements like pinecones, acorns, and twigs. Pinecones add texture, acorns provide a sense of playfulness, and twigs can add structural interest. These earthy additions bring out the natural beauty of your leaf arrangements, making them fuller and more dynamic.

For example, you can arrange a vase filled with leaves, acorns, and pinecones for a centerpiece that feels like a piece of the forest in your home. These combinations evoke the richness of the outdoors while keeping your space grounded in seasonal beauty.

5. Opt for Real Leaves

Real leaves bring authenticity to your fall decor. There's something magical about the sight and scent of actual leaves that simply can’t be replicated by synthetic materials. The organic feel and slight imperfections in real leaves add to their charm, creating a rustic, lived-in look.

Beyond the visual appeal, real leaves can also contribute a subtle earthy scent to your space, infusing your home with the fragrance of the season.

6. Consider Artificial Options

For those looking for a long-lasting solution, artificial leaves can be a fantastic alternative. Faux leaves come in vibrant colors and don't require the same level of care as real ones. You won’t have to worry about them drying out or losing their shape, and they can be reused year after year.

Whether you’re making wreaths, garlands, or other crafts, artificial leaves can give your decor a polished and vibrant look without the fuss of preservation.

7. Craft Fall Centerpieces

A fall-inspired centerpiece is a great way to celebrate the season. Gather an assortment of leaves and arrange them in a shallow bowl or tray, combining them with candles, pumpkins, and seasonal fruits like apples and pears.

For a more rustic touch, you can place leaves underneath a clear glass cloche or create a leafy runner down the center of your table. The natural beauty of the leaves will act as a backdrop for any additional items, giving your dining area an inviting and seasonal vibe.

8. Create Leaf Garlands

Leaf garlands are a simple yet stunning way to decorate your home. Using string or twine, attach leaves by their stems, spacing them evenly along the garland. You can alternate between real or artificial leaves depending on the look you’re going for and how long you want the garland to last.

Drape your garland over doorways, windows, or mantels for an easy way to bring a pop of autumnal color into any room. If you're feeling extra crafty, you can also add fairy lights or small pinecones to your garland for an extra cozy touch.

9. Incorporate Leaves into Wreaths

Wreaths are classic fall decorations, and adding leaves to your wreath brings an extra dose of seasonal flair. Combine leaves with materials like dried flowers, berries, or even ribbons for a layered, multidimensional effect. You can either glue the leaves onto a premade wreath form or weave them through a grapevine wreath for a more natural look.

Hang the wreath on your front door to warmly welcome guests, or use it indoors to dress up a hallway or kitchen.

10. Use Leaves as Table Decor

When setting the table for a fall gathering, leaves can act as the perfect decorative accent. Scatter leaves around the center of the table, or use them as placemats under plates or dishes. You can also place a single leaf at each guest's setting, perhaps with their name written on it in calligraphy for a personalized touch.

The leaves will bring the spirit of fall to your table, making your meal feel festive and connected to the season.

11. Get Creative with Crafts

Leaves are a fantastic medium for DIY projects. One easy and fun idea is to make leaf art by gluing leaves onto paper or canvas, creating pictures or patterns. You can also use pressed leaves to create autumn-themed cards, bookmarks, or ornaments. These personal, handcrafted touches can be used to decorate your home or given as seasonal gifts to friends and family.

With their natural beauty and endless variety, leaves are perfect for any craft project, allowing you to tap into your creativity.

12. Make Leaf Lanterns

Lighting up those chilly fall evenings with a soft, warm glow is made even better when you add leaves to the mix. Using glass jars or lanterns, you can adhere leaves to the outside using Mod Podge or clear glue. Once dry, place a small candle or LED light inside, and watch as the light filters through the leaves, casting a soft, natural glow.

Leaf lanterns are perfect for creating ambiance during cozy nights indoors or as part of your outdoor autumn decor.

13. Display Leaves in Vases

Just as you would arrange flowers, consider displaying leaves in vases. A bundle of colorful leaves can make for an eye-catching bouquet that doesn’t require water. Alternatively, you can opt for branches with leaves still attached, creating a taller, more dramatic display.

Place your leafy arrangement on a mantel, windowsill, or coffee table to bring a splash of fall color to any room.

14. Use Leaves on Mirrors

Adding leaves to mirrors is a subtle yet stunning way to bring the beauty of fall indoors. Adorn the edges of a mirror with leaves using double-sided tape or by tucking them into the frame. As the leaves reflect in the glass, they create an illusion of even more leaves, enhancing the autumnal effect.

This technique works particularly well for large entryway or living room mirrors, where they can amplify the cozy fall atmosphere.

15. Create Leaf Prints

Leaf prints are a wonderful way to create unique and lasting art pieces. Simply paint the surface of a leaf with acrylic or watercolor paint, then press it onto fabric, paper, or even canvas. The veins and details of the leaf will leave a delicate imprint, resulting in a piece of art that captures the intricacies of nature.

These prints can be framed and used as wall decor or made into seasonal greeting cards.

16. Utilize Leaves for Gift Wrapping

This fall, take your gift wrapping to the next level by incorporating leaves. Tie a leaf to the ribbon around a wrapped package for a festive and eco-friendly decoration. This simple touch brings an element of the season to your gifts, making them feel extra special and thoughtful.

You can also use pressed leaves as tags, writing the recipient’s name directly on the leaf for a rustic, personal touch.

17. Make Seasonal Wall Art

If you’re looking for a more permanent way to showcase leaves, consider creating wall art. Arrange your preserved leaves in a pattern or collage, then frame them to create a custom art piece. This not only highlights the beauty of the leaves but also provides a lasting memory of the season.

Whether it’s a single large leaf framed on its own or a collection of different leaves in a shadow box, this type of art brings the outdoors inside in a sophisticated way.

18. Involve the Family

Decorating with leaves can be a fantastic family activity. Encourage everyone to join in on a leaf hunt, gathering their favorites to use in various craft projects. You can make garlands together, design leaf collages, or work on lanterns as a team. This creates an opportunity for bonding while celebrating the season, and the resulting decorations will hold a special sentimental value.

19. Emphasize Textures

When decorating with leaves, don't forget to play with texture. Mix leaves with other tactile materials like burlap, wood, or even wool to create layered, visually rich displays. The contrast between smooth leaves and rougher textures like wood slices or pinecones adds depth and sophistication to your decor.

You can use burlap as a table runner adorned with leaves or wrap wooden candleholders with a leaf garland for a rustic yet polished look.

Final Thoughts

Decorating with leaves this fall offers a natural, affordable, and beautiful way to celebrate the season. Whether you're crafting with the family, adorning your home with leaf garlands, or creating a simple centerpiece, the colors and textures of fall's bounty will bring warmth and charm to your space. Enjoy the process, and let the beauty of the leaves inspire you!