There's something about that first cool morning in September that makes me want to fill my whole house with fall garlands. If you've been searching for DIY fall garland ideas that actually feel cozy instead of cluttered, you're in the right place.
I've gathered ten of my favorites here, from paper crafts you can make tonight to a magical light-up garland I bring out every single year.
Grab a cup of coffee, and let's get your home ready for the season.
Easy DIY Fall Garland Ideas to Warm Up Your Home This Fall
A garland is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel like fall in about five minutes. You don't have to redecorate the whole house. Just drape one over a mantel, a doorway, or a bookcase, and suddenly the whole space feels warmer.
These DIY fall garland ideas range from five-minute paper crafts to a few things you can order online, so there's something here no matter how much time you have. Here's where I'd start.
1. Paper Leaf Garland
This one is my go-to when I want a fall garland without spending a dime. You only need paper you already have on hand, like brown paper bags or tissue paper in warm autumn shades.
Cut out simple leaf shapes using my free printable template (subscribe for access), then string them along a piece of wire. It's a slow process, but it's perfect to craft while watching your favorite TV show, and it looks just as sweet on a mantel as it does hanging on a bench.
I walk through the whole process, template included, in my DIY Fall Paper Leaf Garland tutorial.
2. Faux Leaf Garland with Fairy Lights
This is hands down my most-used piece of fall decor, and it's the one people ask me about the most. It's a light-up autumn leaf garland I found at Hobby Lobby a few years back, and it is pure magic once the sun goes down.
The best part is how many ways you can style it. I've tucked it into a basket on my front door, draped it across my mantel and bookcase, hung it on a hook in my kitchen sitting room, and even wrapped it around an umbrella stem on my patio table for a Thanksgiving dinner outside.
My daughter has borrowed the idea too, draping hers over her hammock swing, her mantel, and the cabinets above her kitchen sink.
You can see it in action here:
- Charming Fall Porch Decor with Faux Pumpkins and Flowers — tucked into a basket on the front door
- Warm & Cozy: How to Decorate for Fall with Orange and Neutrals — mantel, bookcase, entryway bench, and kitchen hook
- Fall Table Runner Ideas That Will Transform Your Table — wrapped around a patio umbrella stem
- Charming Cottage: Orange and Copper Fall Decor Ideas — hammock swing, mantel, and sink area
Mine isn't sold at Hobby Lobby anymore, but you can find similar lighted leaf garlands online.
A quick safety tip: always check that any lighted garland is rated for the way you plan to use it, and never leave battery or plug-in lights on unattended overnight. The Electrical Safety Foundation International has good guidance on decorating safely with string lights if you want to read more.
3. Scallop Plaid Garland
This might be the easiest custom garland on the whole list, and it started with one sheet of plaid paper from Hobby Lobby. I downloaded a simple scallop template, traced it onto the plaid paper, and cut out enough scallops to fit my shelf.
Tape or pin them along the edge of a mantel, and you get that tailored, layered garland look without any sewing or fancy materials. It works just as well on a hutch as it does a fireplace.
I show this one draped across my own mantel in Embrace Autumn's Palette: 19 Creative Ways for Decorating with Fall Colors, and I've used the same trick on my hutch in that same room.
4. Book Page Pumpkin Garland
If you love that vintage, cottage look, this one is for you. It's made from little pumpkin shapes printed on old book text, so it has that worn, storybook feel that pairs so well with French country and grandmillennial style.
It's one of my printable designs, and I share the full look, along with a few other paper garland ideas, in my Decorating with Paper post. You can grab the printable in my Etsy shop.
5. Thanksgiving Pie Garland Printable
This is my newest one, and it might be my favorite yet. Sweet little watercolor pies in warm autumn colors, strung together into a bunting that's perfect for a Thanksgiving table, a dessert table, or a fall party.
It's an instant download, so you can print it, cut it, and hang it the same afternoon. Find the Thanksgiving Pie Garland Printable in my Etsy shop.
6. Letter and Number Garland
This one is one of the most flexible garlands you can make, because you get to decide what it says. Print the letters on any paper you like, then spell out “Hello Autumn,” a family name, or anything else you're feeling that season.
I layered mine right underneath my plaid scallop garland on the hutch in my kitchen and spelled out “Hello Autumn” across the two together.
Mine is the scallop-shaped version, but if you'd rather have pennants instead of scallops, the same printable comes in a pennant, triangle-flag style too. Grab the customizable scallop letter and number garland in my Etsy shop or the customizable pennant garland here.
7. Dried Orange Slice Garland
Nothing makes a house smell and feel more like fall than dried oranges. Once they're dried, you simply thread them onto twine with a needle, and you've got a garland with the prettiest natural color and texture.
I love mixing this one into an existing garland on the mantel, or hanging it on its own by a window where the light can shine through the slices. I show you exactly how to dry them, plus a few styling ideas, in my How to Dry Orange Slices the Easy Way post.
8. Cotton Garland
Cotton garland brings in that soft, farmhouse texture that makes a space feel warm and lived-in. It's simple, it's neutral, and it works with just about any fall color palette you're using.
I love layering it with a leaf garland for extra dimension on a mantel. See how I use it around my home in my Decorating with Cotton post.
9. Wood or Felt Bead Garland
A felt ball garland is such an easy way to add soft color and texture to a shelf or mantel without much effort at all. I've used one in neutral tones, and you can see it styled in my 11 Cozy and Clever DIY Fall Decorating Ideas post.
If you'd rather keep things more neutral, a wooden bead garland gives you the same easy, no-DIY option in a natural wood tone that looks just as good left up through winter.
10. Halloween Garland Ideas to Round Out the Season
Once October rolls around, I like to layer in a few Halloween pieces alongside my fall garland for extra charm. Think book page ghosts, a bat and pom-pom garland, or a tiny witch's clothesline strung across a mantel.
I've got a whole lineup of those in my 7 Adorable Halloween Garland DIYs post, so head over there once you're ready to add a little Halloween fun into the mix.
Where to Hang Your Fall Garland
Once you've picked your favorite, the fun part is deciding where it goes. Here are the spots that work best in my own home.
Mantel
This is the classic spot, and for good reason. Drape your garland along the top or let it hang down over the edge for a softer, more relaxed look.
Staircase or Banister
A garland wrapped around a stair railing makes a big impact for very little effort. It's one of the fastest ways to make an entryway feel festive the second guests walk in.
Doorway, Window or Door
Hanging a garland across the top of a doorway or window frame adds warmth to a space without taking up any surface area. This is my favorite trick for small rooms.
Here I placed a garland inside of a hanging basket for a welcoming autumnal look.
Hutch
Truly one of my favorite places to decorate with garlands is our hutch in the kitchen sitting room. Add an autumn garland to your hutch and you instantly have all the cozy autumnal feelings.
Patio Umbrella Pole
If you're hosting a Thanksgiving or fall dinner outside, wrap a leaf garland around the pole of your patio umbrella.
It's such a pretty, unexpected touch for an outdoor table, especially with a few fairy lights tucked in alongside it, and you can see how I styled mine in Outdoor Thanksgiving Table Decorations for a Small Patio.
Tips for Making Your Garland Last All Season
A few things I've learned after years of decorating with fall garland, DIY and store-bought alike.
Store it flat or gently coiled. This keeps paper and dried pieces from crushing or cracking between seasons.
Keep dried elements out of direct sun. Orange slices and leaves hold their color much longer out of harsh sunlight.
Spray paper garlands with a light sealant. This helps them hold up if you use them outdoors, even under a covered porch. (I have never tried this, but others have mentioned it works. As long as they are out of sunlight, it will keep their color and shape)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the easiest fall garland to make?
The paper leaf garland is the simplest, since it only takes paper, scissors, and twine. If you don't want to DIY at all, a wooden bead garland is ready to hang straight out of the box.
How do I hang a paper garland without damaging my walls?
Command strips or hooks are the easiest option, since they hold well and come off without leaving marks.
Can I reuse my fall garland every year?
Yes, and most of these are built to last several seasons. Just store paper and dried pieces flat, away from moisture, and they'll be ready to hang again next fall.
Bring the Cozy Home This Fall
However you decorate, a garland is one of the fastest ways to make your home feel like autumn has officially arrived. Whether you go all in with a DIY paper leaf garland or keep it simple with a light-up piece you order online, pick the ones that feel the most like you.
If you love the paper garlands in this post, you can find many more Garland Printable in my Etsy shop, ready to print and hang today.
Happy Decorating!
