Create a stunning fall paper leaf wreath with this easy DIY tutorial. Free printable template included! Perfect beginner-friendly autumn decor project.
Fall is here, and with it comes all the cozy vibes, warm colors, and gorgeous falling leaves! ???? To celebrate the season, we’re sharing a super fun and beginner-friendly Fall paper leaf wreath tutorial.
This paper wreath makes the perfect DIY decoration for your front door, mantel, or even your craft corner. With our free printable template, you can easily create colorful paper leaves in shades of orange, yellow, and red, and turn them into a beautiful autumn wreath.
It’s budget-friendly, requires only a few basic supplies, and comes with a step-by-step video tutorial to guide you through the process. Whether you’re crafting with kids or decorating your space for Fall, this leaf wreath will instantly bring warmth and charm to your home!
Project Overview:
Difficulty Level: Beginner-friendly
Cost: Under $5 (using supplies you likely have)
Time: 45-60 minutes
Ages: 8+ years (with adult supervision for cutting)
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Colored craft paper in fall shades (I recommend 65-80 lb weight). You need orange, yellow, red, brown, and maybe a pop of pink or burgundy. This weight is perfect because it’s sturdy enough to hold its shape but still easy to cut. Regular printer paper is too flimsy and will curl. Heavy cardstock is too stiff and won’t create that natural leaf curve.
Can’t find craft paper? Scrapbook paper works beautifully. Or try cutting up old magazines for a free, eco-friendly option (bonus: the mixed patterns look surprisingly chic). - One piece of cardboard for the Base, about 12×12 inches. An old cereal box is literally perfect for this. The thinner cardboard from a cracker box or pasta box works great. You need it thin enough to cut easily but sturdy enough to hold all your leaves.
Tools
- A pencil for tracing the template shapes.
- Sharp scissors (this is important!). Dull scissors will fight you the entire time and make your leaf edges look raggedy. If your scissors struggle with printer paper, they’re too dull for this project.
- White craft glue or a glue stick. Regular craft glue (like Elmer’s) gives you the strongest hold. Glue sticks work fine but might need a bit more pressure. Avoid school glue. It’s too watery and makes your paper wrinkle.
Pro move: Use a hot glue gun if you have one. Your wreath will be done in half the time because you don’t have to wait for glue to dry. Just be careful with your fingers! - Markers or Sharpies to outline your leaves (optional but makes a HUGE difference). Match the marker color to your paper color. Orange marker on orange paper. Brown marker on brown paper. This adds depth and makes your wreath look professional instead of elementary-school-craft.
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Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Fall Paper Leaf Wreath
Download the provided template and print it out. You can use the half patterns for a quick tracing and cutting, or you can select the full patterns.
Step 1: Choose Your Fall Colors and Prep the Paper
Select your fall-themed colored craft papers in reds, oranges, yellows, browns, or deep greens. Print out the leaf template patterns. Cut the paper into smaller pieces (about 4×4 inch squares) for easy tracing.
Color combo tip: Mix warm and cool tones together. Try pairing burnt orange with deep burgundy, or golden yellow with chocolate brown for a rich fall palette.
Step 2: Fold the Paper Cutouts in Half
Take each small paper cutout and fold it in half vertically. Create a nice crisp crease down the middle. This prepares it perfectly for tracing and ensures you get symmetrical leaves.
Step 3: Trace the Leaf Patterns
Place the printed leaf patterns on top of the folded paper. Use a pencil to trace the designs neatly along the edges. Make sure your fold line stays aligned with the center of the template pattern.
Quick trick: Use a tiny piece of tape to hold your template in place while you trace. This prevents shifting and keeps your lines clean.
Step 4: Cut Out the Leaves
Carefully cut along the traced lines using a pair of scissors. Keep the folds intact while cutting. Use smooth, continuous cuts rather than choppy snips for cleaner edges.
How many leaves total? You’ll need approximately 35-40 leaves for a nice full wreath.
Step 5: Unfold the Leaf Cutouts
Open up the folded paper to reveal your perfectly symmetrical leaf shapes. For a more organic look, feel free to draw and cut freehand leaves instead of using the template if you’re feeling creative.
Optional: Gently curl or bend the edges slightly with your fingers to add dimension and make them look more realistic.
Step 6: Add Borders to the Leaves
Use matching Sharpies or markers to outline the edges of each leaf. Stay about 1/8 inch from the edge. This adds depth and makes the leaves pop beautifully.
Color matching guide:
- Orange paper → orange or brown marker
- Yellow paper → gold or light brown marker
- Red paper → dark red or burgundy marker
- Brown paper → dark brown or black marker
Step 7: Prepare the Wreath Base
Cut out a round wreath base from a cardboard sheet (about 10-11 inches outer diameter, 5-6 inches inner diameter). Alternatively, you can use a store-bought round wreath base to save time.
Easy tracing hack: Use a dinner plate for the outer circle and a small bowl for the inner circle. Just trace around them with pencil, then cut.
Step 8: Apply Glue Drops on the Base
Apply drops of glue on the cardboard base to mark the placement of each leaf cutout. Keep an even distance and at least an inch gap between the drops. Place the leaf cutouts on the glue drops and arrange them nicely.
Important: Work in one direction (either clockwise or counter-clockwise) for a neat, professional look.
Step 9: Attach Leaf Cutouts Along the Outer Border
Glue the paper leaves around the outer edge of the wreath base, overlapping them slightly for a full effect. Keep the arrangement either clockwise or anti-clockwise for a neat look.
Pro tip: Overlap each leaf by about one-third of its width. Apply glue only to the center of each leaf, never the edges, so they lift naturally and create dimension.
Step 10: Fill in the Inner Side
Attach more leaf cutouts along the inner side of the wreath base to fill in any empty spaces and complete your fall wreath. Point these leaves toward the center opening.
Final check: Stand back and look at your wreath. If you see any bare cardboard showing through, cut a few extra leaves and tuck them into those gaps for a full, lush appearance.
Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Fall Paper Leaf Wreath
We’ll walk you through a video demonstration, from preparing the leaf cutouts to attaching them on the wreath base. This craft is quick, budget-friendly, and adds a beautiful handmade touch to your seasonal decorations.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more DIY and papercraft tutorials. And if you make this wreath, tag us on social media—we’d love to see your creations!
Creative Ideas for Displaying Your Fall Leaf Wreath
Now that you’ve made this gorgeous wreath, let’s talk about how to show it off! Here are my favorite ways to display your fall paper leaf wreath around your home.
1. Classic Front Door Welcome
Hang your fall wreath on your front door using a wreath hanger that hooks over the top. This is the classic look everyone loves. The paper leaves look especially pretty when natural light hits them in the afternoon. If your door gets direct sunlight, consider hanging it on a covered porch or storm door instead to prevent fading.
Pro styling tip: Pair your wreath with a fall doormat and small pumpkins on either side of your door for a complete seasonal entryway.
2. Gallery Wall Addition
Add your wreath to an existing gallery wall of frames and artwork. It adds dimensional interest and seasonal flair without requiring you to change out all your wall decor. Use a small nail with a ribbon loop to hang it securely.
Styling secret: Hang it slightly lower than your eye level and offset from center for a more organic, collected look.
3. Kitchen Window Charm
Hang your wreath in a kitchen window using clear fishing line or ribbon. The natural light shining through the colored paper creates a beautiful stained-glass effect. This works especially well if your window faces your backyard or doesn’t need a privacy treatment.
Bonus idea: Make a smaller 6-inch version to hang from your kitchen cabinet knobs for coordinating decor.
4. Vertical Wall Display with Multiples
Make 3 wreaths in graduating sizes (small, medium, large) and hang them vertically on a wall in a column. This creates a dramatic statement piece. Vary the colors slightly in each wreath for added interest.
Spacing guide: Leave about 4-6 inches between each wreath and center them on the wall.
5. Vertical Wall Display with Mixed Crafts
Instead of hanging three wreaths, pair one wreath with another seasonal craft for a layered look. I combined my fall paper leaf wreath with a fall-themed rainbow wall hanging, stacked vertically on the same nail. This creates a playful, space-saving display that feels fresh and unique
Spacing guide: Leave about 4–6 inches between the pieces and keep them centered for balance.
6. Above the Mantel Masterpiece
Lean your wreath against the wall on your fireplace mantel. Surround it with pillar candles in ivory or burgundy, small pumpkins, and scattered acorns. This creates a stunning fall focal point in your living room.
Layering trick: Place the wreath slightly off-center and layer it in front of a larger mirror or piece of artwork for added depth.
Tips for Beginners to Craft the Perfect Fall Leaf Wreath!
TIPS FOR WREATH SUCCESS
Paper weight really matters. I know I mentioned this already, but it’s SO important. Medium-weight craft paper (65-80 lb) is the sweet spot. Go to a craft store and feel the paper. It should be thicker than printer paper but thinner than cardstock. That’s your target.
Work in batches. Don’t try to cut all 40 leaves at once. Cut 10-15, then take a break. This prevents hand cramping and keeps you from getting sloppy with your scissor work.
Less glue is more. One tiny dot in the center of each leaf is enough. Too much glue will seep out the sides and create shiny spots that look messy. Your leaves will also take forever to dry.
Mix up your leaf sizes. If you’re feeling ambitious, print the template at 90% and 110% to create slightly different sizes. This adds visual interest and makes your wreath look more natural.
Add dimension on purpose. After cutting, gently curl the edges of some leaves upward using your fingers. This creates shadows and depth. Your wreath will look 3D instead of flat.
Protect it from moisture. Paper wreaths are for indoor use or covered porches only. If you want to hang yours outside, spray it with 2-3 coats of clear acrylic sealer first. Let it dry completely between coats.
Hang it properly. Use a ribbon loop on the back, or lean it on a picture stand. Don’t use nails or pushpins through the wreath itself because they’ll damage your beautiful leaves.
You Might Also Like: More Fall Crafting Inspiration
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