Harvesting Happiness: 5 Simple Autumn DIYs to Infuse Your Farmhouse with Fall's Charm

Imagine waking to a crisp autumn morning on your homestead. The air is filled with the scent of woodsmoke from the stove, mingling with the sweet aroma of cinnamon and spice. Sunlight streams through the window, illuminating pumpkins piled high on the porch and the vibrant colors of leaves swirling in the wind. It’s a time of cozy contentment and seasonal abundance, a feeling we all crave as the days grow shorter. Autumn is the perfect time to bring the beauty of the season indoors, transforming your home into an autumnal haven. So, grab your favorite mug of cider and get ready to embrace the season! This blog post will provide five easy and charming Fall DIY projects that will infuse your farmhouse with fall's magic.

DIY Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot

Nothing says "fall" quite like the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice filling the air. This Fall DIY project is incredibly simple, affordable, and will make your home smell absolutely divine. Plus, you can customize it to your favorite scents!

Materials:

• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced
• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Water
• Small saucepan or slow cooker

Estimated Cost: $5 - $10 (depending on what you already have on hand)

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan or slow cooker.
2. Fill with water, ensuring the fruit and spices are covered.
3. Bring to a simmer on the stovetop, or set your slow cooker to low.
4. Add water as needed to keep the pot from drying out.
5. Enjoy the warm, inviting fragrance of autumn!

Last year, I made this simmer pot for our annual harvest gathering, and everyone commented on how wonderful our home smelled. It truly sets the mood for a cozy and festive occasion. I even composted the leftover fruit and spices after a few days, a win-win for the nose and the organic gardening efforts!

Hand-Painted Fall Leaf Garland

Bring the beauty of the seasonal harvest indoors with a charming hand-painted Fall Leaf Garland. This is a wonderful project to do with children and a fantastic way to preserve the vibrant colors of autumn.

Materials:

• Assorted fall leaves (foraged from your yard or a local park)
• Acrylic paints in fall colors (red, orange, yellow, brown)
• Paintbrushes
• Twine or string
• Scissors
• Newspaper or craft paper to protect your work surface

Estimated Cost: $10 - $15 (depending on the cost of paints)

Instructions:

1. Collect fallen leaves in various shapes and sizes.
2. Lay out newspaper or craft paper to protect your work surface.
3. Paint each leaf with your desired colors and patterns. Get creative! You can paint solid colors, add stripes, dots, or even intricate designs.
4. Allow the leaves to dry completely.
5. Once dry, carefully punch a small hole at the top of each leaf.
6. Thread the twine or string through the holes, creating a garland.
7. Hang your Fall DIY garland on your mantelpiece, doorway, or anywhere you want to add a touch of autumnal charm.

I remember making this garland with my kids last year. They loved collecting the leaves and experimenting with different painting techniques. It was a fun and creative way to spend an afternoon together and create a beautiful piece of harvest decor for our home.

Rustic Burlap Table Runner

Add a touch of farmhouse life to your dining table with a simple and elegant rustic burlap table runner. This Autumn DIY Project is easy to make and will instantly elevate your autumn decor.

Materials:

• Burlap fabric (cut to your desired length and width)
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Scissors
• Optional: Lace trim, ribbon, or other embellishments

Estimated Cost: $10 - $20 (depending on the cost of burlap fabric)

Instructions:

1. Cut the burlap fabric to your desired length and width. (Add extra inches for hemming)
2. Fold over the edges of the fabric and hem using a sewing machine or needle and thread.
3. Optional: Add lace trim, ribbon, or other embellishments to the edges of the table runner.
4. Iron the table runner to remove any wrinkles.
5. Place the burlap table runner on your dining table for a touch of rustic elegance.

This table runner is a great base for a harvest decor centerpiece. I like to add pumpkins, gourds, and candles for a warm and inviting tablescape. The rustic texture of the burlap perfectly complements the natural elements of fall.

Mason Jar Candle Holders with Twine and Cinnamon Sticks

These charming Mason Jar Candle Holders are a simple yet elegant way to add a warm glow to your sustainable home this autumn. This Fall DIY project is both affordable and easy to customize.

Materials:

• Mason jars
• Twine
• Cinnamon sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Candles (tea lights or small votives)

Estimated Cost: $10 - $15 (depending on the cost of mason jars and candles)

Instructions:

1. Wrap twine around the top of each mason jar, securing it with hot glue.
2. Attach cinnamon sticks vertically around the outside of the jar, using hot glue to secure them.
3. Continue adding cinnamon sticks until the entire jar is covered.
4. Place a candle inside each mason jar.
5. Light the candles and enjoy the warm, flickering glow.

The combination of the rustic twine, the fragrant cinnamon sticks, and the soft candlelight creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These candle holders are perfect for creating a warm and inviting ambiance in your living room or dining room. You can even use recycled jars for this project for a more sustainable home.

Dried Hydrangea Wreath

Capture the ethereal beauty of dried hydrangeas with a stunning wreath that will last throughout the autumn season. This Autumn DIY Project adds a touch of timeless elegance to your farmhouse style fall decor.

Materials:

• Dried hydrangea blooms
• Grapevine wreath form
• Hot glue gun
• Optional: Ribbon, berries, or other embellishments

Estimated Cost: $15 - $25 (depending on the cost of hydrangea blooms and wreath form)

Instructions:

1. Gently remove the dried hydrangea blooms from their stems.
2. Using a hot glue gun, attach the hydrangea blooms to the grapevine wreath form, overlapping them slightly to create a full and lush wreath.
3. Continue adding hydrangea blooms until the entire wreath form is covered.
4. Optional: Add ribbon, berries, or other embellishments to personalize your wreath.
5. Hang your dried hydrangea wreath on your front door or anywhere you want to add a touch of autumnal elegance.

Hydrangeas are a beautiful reminder of summer gardens and this is a great way to make them last through the colder months. I love how the delicate blooms create a soft and romantic feel.

Actionable Tips for a Sustainable and Personalized Fall

Here are a few bonus tips to help you source materials sustainably and personalize your Fall DIY projects:

• Forage Responsibly: When foraging for leaves, flowers, or branches, be mindful of the environment and only take what you need.
• Repurpose and Recycle: Use recycled jars, fabric scraps, and other repurposed materials for your DIY projects.
• Compost Leftovers: Compost leftover pumpkin pulp, fruit slices, and other organic materials from your fall projects.
• Customize Your Scents: Experiment with different essential oils and spices in your simmer pot to create your signature autumnal fragrance.
• Vary the Garland: Use different colors of paint, add glitter, or incorporate other embellishments to personalize your leaf garland.

These projects can be adapted for other seasons too. Think spring flower garlands, summer citrus simmer pots, and winter evergreen wreaths. The possibilities are endless!

Embracing the Beauty of Autumn

Creating something beautiful with your own hands is incredibly rewarding. These simple Fall DIY projects are a wonderful way to embrace the beauty of autumn and infuse your home with warmth, beauty, and a sense of connection to nature. So, gather your materials, unleash your creativity, and transform your farmhouse into an autumnal haven!

Don't forget to share your own DIY creations on social media using #BetterHomesAndHarvests and #FarmhouseFall. We can’t wait to see what you create! And be sure to subscribe to the Better Homes and Harvests newsletter for more seasonal harvest inspiration and exclusive DIY tutorials. Happy Fall, y'all!