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Every fall, I find myself slowing down to notice the leaves. Their colors shift from green to gold, crimson, and burnt orange, each one a tiny work of art scattered at our feet.
Gathering them feels like gathering moments, small reminders that beauty doesn’t have to last forever to be meaningful.
Yet there is something tender about preserving a handful, holding onto that fleeting brilliance for just a little longer.
Crafting with dried leaves is one of the easiest ways to bring the season indoors with fall nature decor projects. It’s how we can weave together nature, memory, and creativity in a way that feels grounding and restorative.
Unlike store-bought décor, these projects begin with a walk outside. They are rooted in the rhythm of the season and remind us to pause, bend down, and notice what’s right beneath us.
Gathering Leaves with Intention
The first step in any leaf craft is heading outdoors. I like to think of it less as collecting and more as receiving.
A gentle walk, a slow pace, and eyes tuned to the ground are all you need. Notice the variety: maple with its star-like shape, oak with its curves, ginkgo with its fan-like form.
Try to select leaves that are freshly fallen, still pliable, and free of tears. They will preserve better and hold their color longer.
This act of gathering can itself be calming. It becomes a meditation, each leaf a reminder to be present.
If you’d like, make it part of a calming weekly reset routine, an afternoon stroll where you simply notice what has changed, what colors are deepening, and what beauty the trees have let go of that day.
How to Preserve Fall Leaves for Craft Projects
Leaves are delicate. Without care, they curl, crumble, or fade. Luckily, there are several simple methods to preserve them, each with its own charm.
One of the easiest is pressing. Place each leaf between sheets of paper and stack them beneath heavy books. Within a week or two, they’ll be flat, papery, and ready for art. Pressed leaves hold their shape beautifully and are perfect for framing or collage.
Another method is using wax paper and an iron. Simply sandwich leaves between sheets of wax paper, cover with a towel, and gently press with a warm iron. The wax seals in moisture and creates a translucent finish. This works wonderfully for lanterns or suncatchers.
If you’d like to keep the leaves more supple, a glycerin bath works well. Mix one part vegetable glycerin with two parts water and soak the leaves for several days. They emerge flexible and richly colored, ideal for projects like bowls or wreaths.
Here is an easy to follow tutorial for preserving your fall leaves with glycerin before starting your projects:
Choose whichever method feels most approachable. Each offers a slightly different finish, and part of the joy is experimenting to see what you like best.
Framed Leaf Art
There is something timeless about pressing a leaf and placing it under glass. It elevates the everyday into something worthy of display.
A single large leaf framed in a rustic wooden frame on a wall can feel striking, while a gallery wall of smaller leaves arranged in a grid adds a natural elegance to any space.
This project works especially well if you want minimalist, adult-friendly décor that doesn’t feel crafty but rather intentional.
Leaf Lanterns and Suncatchers
Few crafts capture autumn’s glow as beautifully as lanterns and suncatchers made from leaves. When lit from within or placed against the light of a window, preserved leaves shine like stained glass.
To make a lantern, start with a clean glass mason jar. Coat the outside in a thin layer of Mod Podge, press leaves gently against the surface, and smooth them down. Once dry, add another thin coat to seal.
Slip in a tealight or LED candle, and the effect is magical, soft light glowing through amber and crimson veins.
Suncatchers can be made by pressing leaves between glass panes or laminating them. Hanging them in windows allows sunlight to filter through, a gentle reminder of the season’s warmth even on gray days.
Leaf Garlands and Mobiles
Garlands and mobiles are one of the simplest ways to bring nature indoors.
Threading preserved leaves onto natural jute twine creates a minimalist, earthy strand that can be draped along mantels, shelves, or window frames. Each movement of air brings them to life, a reminder of the season’s presence.
Mobiles offer another variation. Suspend leaves from driftwood, a branch, or even a simple embroidery hoop, letting them hang at varying lengths. Hung in a window or child’s room, they catch the light and sway with a calming rhythm.
Both projects are approachable, needing little more than string, leaves, and a needle. The simplicity is what makes them timeless.
Leaf-Embedded Resin Coasters and Jewelry
For those who love mixing natural elements with modern materials, resin crafts are an inspiring path. Embedding preserved leaves in resin creates durable pieces that capture the season in a way that lasts well beyond autumn.
Coasters are a beautiful place to start. Clear resin poured over dried leaves highlights their intricate details and turns them into functional art for your home. This complete resin coaster kit has all you need to get started. Just bring the leaves!
Jewelry offers another option, think pendants, earrings, or charms that preserve a tiny fragment of fall to wear close to the skin.
The process requires a bit more patience and materials, but the results are stunning, like holding a piece of the forest in glass.
You can find a detailed walkthrough with this DIY resin leaf coaster tutorial from That Homebird Life.
Decoupage Leaf Bowls
This is one of my favorite leaf crafts because it combines function and beauty.
Using Mod Podge and a balloon as a mold, you can create bowls covered in dried leaves that harden into delicate, rustic vessels. They’re perfect for holding dried herbs, wrapped candies, or simply sitting as a centerpiece.
The process is simple: inflate a balloon, brush it with Mod Podge, and layer leaves across its surface. Add more Mod Podge on top, and let it dry completely before popping the balloon. What’s left is a sculptural reminder of the season, fragile yet enduring.
For step-by-step guidance, Christine’s Crafts has a detailed tutorial on making a DIY fall leaf bowl.
Leaf-Printed Textiles
Sometimes the simplest projects create the most lasting beauty. Leaf printing with paint allows you to capture the delicate outlines and vein patterns of autumn leaves directly on fabric. Each press is unique, a natural stamp that turns everyday textiles into seasonal keepsakes.
To try this, gather a few sturdy leaves with clear vein detail. Brush the underside lightly with fabric paint, then press it firmly onto a clean blank tea towel, napkin, or canvas tote.
Peel the leaf away carefully, and its imprint will remain, bold yet organic. Experiment with single prints for a minimalist look, or layer different leaf shapes and colors for a more vibrant composition.
These painted prints become everyday art, a way to bring the season into your kitchen, dining table, or even gift-giving.
Minimalist Leaf Collages
Sometimes the most striking art is also the simplest. A minimalist collage of dried leaves arranged in clean lines or geometric patterns can feel both modern and organic.
Choose a neutral background like white, cream, or even black, to let the colors stand out. Glue the leaves in place, frame your collage, and you’ll have artwork that feels like a cross between seasonal décor and fine art.
This project is especially grounding because it invites you to slow down and truly notice the shapes and details of each leaf. It’s less about the end product and more about the quiet rhythm of arranging, stepping back, and adjusting until it feels just right.
A Note on Mindful Crafting
It’s easy to approach crafts with a perfectionist’s eye, but the deeper invitation here is presence, not perfection.
Let your projects be what they are, sometimes rustic, sometimes uneven, but always beautiful in their own way.
The point isn’t to create flawless décor; it’s to engage with nature, move slowly, and let your nervous system exhale as your hands work.
Closing Thoughts
Crafting with dried leaves is one of the simplest, most grounding ways to welcome autumn into your home.
It connects you to the rhythms of the season, offers a soothing pause for the nervous system, and leaves you with beautiful, natural creations that cost nothing more than time and attention.
As you gather leaves on your next walk, imagine the possibilities. Will they become part of a glowing lantern, a framed gallery, a delicate bowl, or a minimalist collage?
However you choose to use them, let the process be its own form of nourishment—a reminder that slowing down, noticing, and creating with what’s already around us is enough.
