5 Eco Friendly Fall Decor Projects Made From What You Already Have

Fall is the perfect time to refresh your home’s decor without buying new items. By looking around your house for materials you can transform into beautiful seasonal decorations, you can create a cozy autumn atmosphere while keeping things eco-friendly.

These DIY projects save money, reduce waste, and bring the warm colors and textures of the season into your home, though results may vary depending on the items you have available and your crafting skills.

1. Pinecone Garland

Nature’s perfect decorations are waiting right in your backyard! Collecting fallen pinecones transforms outdoor debris into striking indoor decor that costs absolutely nothing. I like to gather pinecones of various sizes, then clean them by soaking briefly in warm water with vinegar.

After they dry completely, I string them together using twine, jute, or even fishing line from my craft drawer. For extra flair, try adding small dried orange slices or cinnamon sticks between the cones.

This rustic garland looks stunning draped across mantels, doorways, or wrapped around stair railings. The natural woody scent brings the outdoors in, creating that perfect autumn atmosphere without purchasing a single thing.

2. Mason Jar Candle Holders

Those extra mason jars hiding in your kitchen cabinets make perfect fall luminaries! I started collecting jars years ago, never imagining how versatile they’d become for seasonal decorating. To transform them, wrap twine or raffia around the neck, then secure with a dab of glue.

Fill the bottom with items from your pantry or yard dried beans, acorns, small pebbles, or even candy corn work beautifully. Place a tea light or votive candle on top of your filler for an instant glow.

For extra autumn charm, try attaching small fabric scraps, burlap pieces, or pressed leaves to the outside with decoupage medium or watered-down glue. These charming lights create the perfect ambiance for cool fall evenings without costing a penny.

3. Reused Glass Bottle Vases

Wine bottles, pasta sauce jars, and old soda bottles transform into elegant fall vases with just a little creativity. Instead of recycling these glass containers, I’ve found they make perfect vessels for autumn branches and dried flowers.

Removing labels is simple with warm soapy water and a scrubbing pad. For a cohesive look, try painting several bottles in coordinating fall colors using leftover house paint or craft paint. Metallic gold, copper, or bronze add a touch of elegance to otherwise ordinary containers.

Arrange them in groups of three with different heights for visual interest. Fill with tall grasses from your yard, fallen branches with colorful leaves, or dried wheat stalks for an instant centerpiece that celebrates autumn’s natural beauty without purchasing new decorations.

4. Upcycled Sweater Pillows

That old sweater with the hole in the elbow? Don’t toss it transform it into cozy fall pillows! Sweaters past their prime make incredibly soft pillow covers with built-in texture and warmth perfect for autumn. Simply cut the front and back panels of the sweater into equal-sized squares or rectangles.

Sew three sides together (inside out), then turn right-side out and stuff with filling from old pillows or even clean clothing too worn to donate. Hand-stitch the final edge closed. Cable knits create gorgeous texture, while argyles and plaids bring classic fall patterns to your space.

For extra charm, repurpose the sweater’s buttons as decorative elements or add appliqués cut from contrasting sweater sleeves. These pillows instantly add that hygge feeling to couches and beds as temperatures drop.

5. Jar Lid Ornaments

Those random jar lids cluttering your kitchen drawer are autumn decor gold! I’ve been saving metal lids from pasta sauce and jam jars for years, never realizing their decorative potential until I started crafting.

Transforming them is simple spray paint them with colors from your garage (rust, gold, or cream work beautifully), then decorate with items already in your craft supplies. Buttons, ribbon scraps, dried berries, cinnamon sticks, or tiny pinecones all make perfect embellishments when hot-glued to the painted surface.

Punch a small hole near the edge and thread with twine or ribbon to create hanging ornaments for a fall tree, garland, or doorknob decorations. These circular canvases also work wonderfully as gift tags or place card holders for autumn gatherings functional art from items you’d otherwise recycle!