How to Make a DIY Farmhouse Wreath for Any Season

Nothing says welcome like a wreath on the front door. A DIY farmhouse wreath is simple, natural, and endlessly adaptable. Start with a grapevine base and soft greenery, and you can swap the accents and ribbon for every season and holiday. It's also a fraction of the price of buying a full-size wreath ready-made.

We like to make these on a weekend afternoon with coffee nearby. If you love this style, you might also enjoy our DIY fall porch decor ideas to finish the look outside.

Gather Your Farmhouse Wreath Supplies

Grapevine wreaths are the heart of farmhouse style. They're sturdy, lightweight, and easy to tuck stems into. You can find them at craft stores, and sometimes at dollar stores in smaller sizes.

• Greenery: eucalyptus, olive branches, and boxwood all read as farmhouse. Choose one or two types for a clean look.
• Accents: cotton stems, wheat, lamb's ear, or small florals add texture.
• Ribbon: wired ribbon holds its shape better than unwired.

Spending some time with your dollar store DIY decor list can stretch your budget. Mixing a few nicer stems with budget picks looks fuller without the price tag.

Plan Your Design

Before you glue anything, lay your wreath on a table and arrange the stems loosely on top. There are three common farmhouse layouts:

1. Crescent: greenery covers about one-third of the wreath along one side or the bottom, leaving the grapevine visible. This is the classic farmhouse look.
2. Swag: greenery is clustered at the bottom with stems reaching out in both directions.
3. Full: greenery covers the entire base for a lush, traditional look. This uses more stems.

How to Make a DIY Farmhouse Wreath, Step by Step

1. Prep the stems. Use wire cutters to trim greenery into smaller sprigs, typically 6 to 10 inches long. Most faux stems have wire inside, so you can bend them for a natural shape.
2. Start with the largest greenery. Tuck the stems into the grapevine, all angled in the same direction for a crescent design. Push them deep enough to feel secure.
3. Secure with wire. Wrap floral wire around each stem and the grapevine two or three times, then twist the ends at the back.
4. Layer in smaller greenery. Fill gaps with smaller sprigs, varying the angles slightly so it looks organic.
5. Add accents. Tuck in cotton, wheat, or florals in clusters of odd numbers. Use a dot of hot glue where the stem meets the grapevine for extra hold.
6. Fluff and check. Hang the wreath on a door or wall and step back. Adjust anything that looks lopsided.

Add a Bow or Wooden Sign

A bow finishes the wreath and is the easiest piece to change with the seasons.

Simple farmhouse bow

1. Cut about 2 to 3 feet of wired ribbon.
2. Make two loops of the same size, leaving two tails.
3. Pinch the center and wrap tightly with floral wire.
4. Wire the bow to the wreath, then trim the tails at an angle or in a V shape.

For a personal touch, add a small wooden sign or initial. Paint it with homemade chalk paint from our DIY chalk paint recipe and lightly sand the edges for a worn look.

Make It Seasonal

Keep the greenery base all year and switch out the accents and ribbon:

• Spring: white tulips or small florals with a gingham ribbon.
• Summer: lemons, lavender, or sunflowers.
• Fall: wheat, small faux pumpkins, and a rust or plaid ribbon.
• Winter: pinecones, faux berries, and a red buffalo check bow. See our DIY Christmas decorations for more holiday ideas.

Troubleshooting a Sparse or Lopsided Wreath

If your wreath doesn't look quite right, don't worry. A few small adjustments usually fix it.

• Looks thin: cut a few stems into smaller sprigs and tuck them into the gaps. More short pieces look fuller than a few long ones.
• Looks lopsided: hang it and check from across the room. Trim or bend stems on the heavy side and add a sprig or two on the light side.
• Stems slipping: add another wrap of floral wire, pulling it snug against the grapevine at the back.
• Wreath hangs crooked: make a small wire loop at the top of the back of the wreath so it hangs from the same point every time.
• Too busy: remove one type of accent. Farmhouse style looks best when it's simple, with plenty of grapevine showing.

Remember that grapevine bases are naturally irregular. A few twigs poking out are part of the rustic charm, so only trim the ones that look distracting.

Hang and Care for Your Wreath

Use an over-the-door hanger or an adhesive hook rated for the wreath's weight. If your door gets strong afternoon sun, faux greenery can fade over time, so a covered porch or storm door helps it last longer. Store wreaths in a large bag or box to keep them dust-free between seasons.

Frequently asked questions