Before & After: Easily Turn a Summer Wreath Into a Fall Wreath

In just a few steps, give your summer wreath a fast fall fix-up by mixing in a few natural elements and faux fall leaves.

Photo by: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Materials Needed

  • faux greenery summer wreath
  • faux fall leaf branches
  • dried wheat
  • dried lotus pods
  • wood bark flowers
  • wire snips or heavy-duty shears
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • self-adhesive hook or a wreath hanger for hanging
  • adhesive floral tape

Before: Summer All-Star

This readymade summer wreath brightened up this patio area for the past few months — but with the change in seasons, it's time for a fall refresh.

Photo by: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

After: Freshened Up for Fall

Hot glue + a few dried elements = a wreath that gets this patio ready for the coming season and arrival of fall guests.

Photo by: Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Sarah Busby; Styling by H. Camille Smith

Make Mini Wheat Bundles

Gather together small bunches of about a dozen or so stems of dried wheat and secure with adhesive floral tape. Cut off the excess, leaving just enough stem (about 4-6 inches) to attach to wreath.

Photo by: Sarah Busby

Sarah Busby

Trim Faux Fall Leaves + Lotus Pods

Prep the faux fall leaves and dried lotus pods by trimming the stems. For the leaves, leave just enough stem to hot-glue to the wreath form (Image 1), and for the lotus pods, trim off the stem entirely (Image 2).

Add Mini Wheat Bundles

Add a line of hot glue to the bundled wheat, then slide under the summer wreath's existing leaves and press the hot glue against the wreath form to secure. Continue working your way around the wreath, adding 4 to 6 evenly spaced wheat bundles.

Photo by: Sarah Busby

Sarah Busby

Add Fall Leaves + Dried Pods

Working your way around the wreath, add a line of hot glue to each faux leaf's stem (Image 1), then attach near the previously added wheat bundles (Image 2). Finish with lotus pods, attached with hot glue (Image 3).

Work In Wood Flowers

For an added woodsy touch and pop of fall color, cut the stems off wood flowers, add hot glue to the back, then press against the wreath form.

Photo by: Sarah Busby

Sarah Busby

Fluff + Fill In Any Gaps

Hang your wreath on an interior door, wall or back in its original position outdoors so you can look it over from all angles — including the sides, top and bottom — and fill in any empty spots with more dried elements or faux fall leaves (Images 1-3).

Fall-Up Your Patio, Too

Proudly display your new/old wreath (Image 1). To give your whole porch more of a fall fix-up, swap out your summer plants for fall blooms and add a throw to cozy up outdoor furniture (Image 2).

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