17 DIY Fall Wreath Ideas You Can Make for Under $15

I made my first fall wreath the year we moved in, sitting at the kitchen table with a glue gun, a bag of fake leaves, and more confidence than skill, and when I hung it on the door I felt absurdly proud. That wreath lasted three years, and it taught me that a DIY fall wreath does not need to be perfect to be the best thing on the street. Every wreath on this list costs under fifteen dollars, and most of them cost far less, because they use things from the garden, the dollar store, or the craft drawer. Save this list before the leaves turn, because wreath season comes quickly. I have linked a few related reads like (see also: dollar-store-fall-decor) and (see also: cheap-fall-porch-ideas) if you want more, and (see also: fall-door-decor-on-a-budget) for the rest of the door.

Classic Rings

1. A Grapevine Wreath With Faux Maple Leaves

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without spending much, and guests always notice it first. A grapevine ring with faux maple leaves in red and gold is the classic fall wreath, and it takes less than half an hour to make. Wire the leaves onto the ring in overlapping layers, work your way around, and add a bow at the bottom. I made mine the first autumn in our house and it has hung on the door every year since. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 30 minutes

2. A Burlap Ribbon Wreath With a Wooden Initial

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone asked about. A wreath of gathered burlap ribbon with a wooden initial in the centre is a personal, rustic welcome for the front door. Loop the ribbon through a wire frame, gather it tightly, and glue the painted initial in the centre. I painted the initial to match our door and it looks like it was made for the house, because it was. That is the whole point of decorating on a budget: a small change that makes the room feel cared for.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 40 minutes

3. A Pinecone Wreath Glued to a Foam Ring

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is big for how little effort it takes. A wreath of pinecones glued to a foam ring is a sturdy, natural decoration that lasts for years if you store it well. Glue the pinecones onto the ring in a tight circle, fill the gaps with smaller ones, and add a ribbon for hanging. I glued mine on a newspaper-covered table and still found pinecone bits for weeks, but it was worth it. The best part is how little it asks of you, and how much it gives back every single day.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 60 minutes

4. A Dried Wheat Wreath Tied With Twine

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. A wreath of dried wheat tied with twine is a golden, simple circle that suits a farmhouse door perfectly. Bundle the wheat into small bunches, wire them to a ring, and tie a twine bow where the ends meet. I bought the wheat at the market for a few dollars and the wreath smells faintly of summer even in November. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 35 minutes

5. A Felt Leaf Wreath in Warm Autumn Tones

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. A felt leaf wreath in warm autumn tones is soft, bright, and completely weather-proof if your door is sheltered. Cut leaves from felt in three colours, glue them onto a foam ring, and overlap them so no foam shows. I cut the leaves while watching television and the whole wreath came together in one quiet evening. I have done this three years running now, and it still makes me smile every time I walk past it.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 50 minutes

Natural Materials

6. A Mini Pumpkin Wreath for the Front Door

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. A wreath ringed with mini pumpkins is a bold, cheerful statement that makes the front door the star of the street. Wire the mini pumpkins onto a grapevine ring, fill the gaps with leaves, and hang it with a sturdy hook. I used foam pumpkins so it would last, and it has survived three autumns of wind and rain. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 45 minutes

7. A Hoop Wreath With Eucalyptus and Berries

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. A simple metal hoop with eucalyptus and berries is a modern, airy wreath for anyone who finds traditional wreaths too heavy. Wire the eucalyptus along one side of the hoop, add clusters of berries, and tie a ribbon at the top. I made this one when I wanted something different, and it is the wreath I get asked about most. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 30 minutes

8. A Yarn-Wrapped Wreath in Burnt Orange

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. A foam ring wrapped in burnt orange yarn is a soft, cosy wreath that looks handmade in the best possible way. Wrap the yarn tightly around the ring, secure the ends with glue, and add a few felt leaves on one side. I wrapped mine while listening to a podcast and the repetitive motion was the most relaxing part of my week. Start small, live with it for a day, and then add or take away until it feels right to you.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 60 minutes

9. A Corn Husk Wreath With a Plaid Bow

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without spending much, and guests always notice it first. A wreath of dried corn husks with a plaid bow is a rustic, golden circle that feels like a harvest festival on the door. Fold the husks into loops, glue them around a ring, and tie a plaid bow at the bottom. I saved the husks from a bag of sweetcorn and felt clever for turning kitchen waste into a decoration. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 50 minutes

10. A Wood Slice Wreath With Painted Leaves

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone asked about. A wreath of small wood slices with painted leaves is a natural, earthy decoration that suits a cabin or cottage door. Glue the wood slices onto a ring, paint a few leaves on the largest ones, and add a twine hanger. I cut the slices from a fallen branch in the garden, and the wreath cost me nothing but an afternoon. That is the whole point of decorating on a budget: a small change that makes the room feel cared for.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 75 minutes

11. A Sunflower Wreath From the Dollar Store

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is big for how little effort it takes. A sunflower wreath from dollar store flowers is a burst of yellow that brightens even the greyest autumn day. Trim the sunflower stems short, hot-glue them onto a foam ring, and fill the gaps with green leaves. I bought the flowers for a dollar a bunch and the whole wreath cost less than a takeaway coffee. The best part is how little it asks of you, and how much it gives back every single day.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 35 minutes

Quick and Modern

12. A Twig Wreath With Dried Lavender

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. A twig wreath with dried lavender is a simple, scented circle that brings a calm, garden feeling to the front door. Bend the twigs into a ring and wire them together, tuck in small bunches of lavender, and tie a ribbon at the top. I dried the lavender from our garden in the summer, and the wreath still smells faintly of it now. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 40 minutes

13. A Plaid Fabric Scrap Wreath

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. A wreath of plaid fabric scraps tied onto a wire frame is a cosy, patchwork welcome that uses up leftover material. Cut the fabric into strips, tie them onto the frame in a tight row, and fluff them out so the ring looks full. I used scraps from old shirts and curtains, and the wreath is now a little history of our house. I have done this three years running now, and it still makes me smile every time I walk past it.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 60 minutes

14. A Paper Leaf Wreath Made With the Kids

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. A paper leaf wreath made with the children is a rainy-afternoon project that ends up on the door with pride. Cut leaf shapes from coloured paper, glue them onto a cardboard ring, and let the children arrange the colours. My daughter arranged all the red leaves together and declared it a sunset wreath, and she was right. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$1 | Time: 45 minutes

15. An Apple Slice Wreath Dried in the Oven

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. A wreath of dried apple slices is a warm, golden circle that smells faintly of autumn and looks completely homemade. Slice the apples thinly, dry them in a low oven, and glue them onto a ring with a few cinnamon sticks. I burnt the first tray and learnt to check the oven every twenty minutes, and the second tray came out perfect. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 90 minutes

16. A Cinnamon Stick Wreath That Smells Like Fall

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. A wreath of cinnamon sticks smells like fall every time you open the door, and it is the easiest wreath on this list. Glue the cinnamon sticks onto a foam ring in a tight circle, add a bow, and hang it where the air moves past it. I made ours in ten minutes and the whole hallway smelled wonderful for weeks afterwards. Start small, live with it for a day, and then add or take away until it feels right to you.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 25 minutes

17. A Simple Eucalyptus Hoop for a Modern Door

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without spending much, and guests always notice it first. A simple eucalyptus hoop is a clean, modern wreath for a door that does not need a lot of fuss to look good. Wire the eucalyptus sprigs along the bottom half of the hoop, leave the top bare, and hang it from a thin ribbon. I made this one for our side door and it is so simple that I wondered if it was finished, but it was perfect. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 20 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a DIY fall wreath really cost?

Most of the wreaths on this list cost between one and ten dollars, because they use a cheap ring and materials from the garden or the dollar store. The ring itself is usually the biggest spend.

What is the easiest fall wreath for a beginner?

A grapevine ring with faux leaves is the easiest place to start, because you only need to wire or glue the leaves on in overlapping layers and there is no way to get it wrong.

How do I hang a wreath without damaging the door?

Use an over-the-door hanger or a suction hook, because both hold well and leave no marks. A small nail works too if your door is wooden and you do not mind a tiny hole.