Simple DIY Fall Leaf Garland Made with Coffee Paper + Filters

This fun DIY fall leaf garland, made with coffee paper autumn leaves, is the perfect fall craft. Quickly and easily hang your garland up to give any room in your home a budget-friendly, seasonal makeover.

Simple and Easy Fall Leaf Garland with Coffee Paper + filters- family room garland with coffee paper leaves

On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Hello, friends! It’s time for the Hand Crafted Society gals to share our creations with you.

This time we created a DIY project using fall leaves. If you’ve joined me from Jennifer over @cottageonbunkerhill, welcome. She is so creative, and I have no doubt you loved her fun felt leaf leaf idea!

collage of leaf crafts and leaf-shaped fall recipes

I made a DIY paper leaf garland using coffee paper and coffee filters to add to my fall home decor, and I can’t wait for you to try it!

So grab your crating supplies and get ready to make your own DIY fall leaves garland for autumn.

What are Coffee Paper or Coffee Filter Crafts?

Coffee filter crafts have been around for a while now, and they are simply craft projects made using coffee filters or coffee paper, which are stained with coffee to create an aged look.

These materials make an excellent base for a faux fall leaf garland or any other creative DIY projects.

These crafts are not only for adults but are great for younger kids and kids of all ages. Cutting and drawing on coffee filters is excellent for their fine motor skills and so much fun.

flourish

What Kind of Coffee Filter Art Can You Make?

There are many projects you can make using your coffee paper or filters. Here are just a few. 

  • Autumn leaf garland DIY
  • Coffee filter fall leaves
  • Coffee filter flowers 
  • Kids crafts
  • Coffee filter wreaths
flourish

flourish

Materials You’ll Need to Make Coffee Paper

Here’s what you’ll need to dye the coffee paper. For all the details and instructions to make your paper resemble real autumn leaves, check out my comprehensive blog post on the easiest coffee paper dyeing method.

Paper used for coffee staining
Coffee and tea used for making coffee stained paper
  • Paper filters (coffee filters)
  • Instant Coffee (you’ll need the grounds)
  • Different papers, watercolor paper, card stock, parchment paper, etc.
  • Cinnamon
  • Hot water
  • Tea bags (optional)
  • Sponge paintbrush or regular paintbrush
  • Blow dryer (optional)
  • Paper bags
  • Medicine dropper
  • Colored water
  • Large cookie sheet
  • Food coloring
  • Paper Towels

Materials You’ll Need to Make a Coffee Paper DIY Fall Leaf Garland

grapevine wire
Supplies to make a coffee paper leaf garland. Scissors, pipe cleaners, distress ink and wire.
Berries and leaves for coffee paper garland.

You can find most of these supplies at your local craft store. I have also linked all of these supplies to make it easy for you to order through Amazon.

How to Make a Fall Garland with Paper

Step One: Preparing the Coffee Paper Filters

See the full tutorial for how to dye the coffee paper.

Coffee stained paper  to make leaves for a fall garland

This fun project starts with the preparation of the coffee filters, which will form the base of your DIY paper leaf garland.

Step Two: Creating Leaf Templates

I have provided you with a free leaf template to create your leaves. You can access this free printable in my library.

tracing real leaf patterns onto  coffee filters
leaf template for cutting out leaves to make a fall garland with coffee paper

You can also use leaves from your yard or take a walk to collect leaves to use for patterns o add an authentic touch to your garland of leaves.

Step Three: Cutting and Shaping Your Leaves

Trace the leaf pattern onto the coffee filters or coffee paper.

Simple and Easy Fall Leaf Garland with Coffee Paper + filters- Coffee paper cutting out leaves

Add details and curves to mimic real maple leaves. Then carefully cut all the leaves out of your coffee-stained paper and coffee filters to begin assembling your garland.

Step Four: Assembling the Coffee Filter Leaves

Now it’s time to start creating your garland!

Start by hot glueing one of the coffee filter leaves onto a pipe cleaner using a hot glue gun.

Gluing the leaves together to make coffee filter leaves
Gluing the leaves together to make coffee filter leaves

Then use a craft paint brush to coat the back side of the leaf with Mod Podge.

Use the Mod Modge to gluea another leaf over the pipe cleaner side of the first leaf.

Allow each pair of leaves to dry before using some distress Ink to add shading or veins.

Step Five: Assembling the Coffee Paper Leaves for Your DIY Leaf Garland

Since coffee-stained paper is heavier (I used watercolor paper), the leaves cut from this paper don’t need to be glued together. Simply hot glue one leaf onto a pipe cleaner, and that’s it!

fall leaf garland made with coffee paper and filters

Just like with the leaves cut from coffee paper filters, you can enhance these leaves using the distress ink.

Step Six: Adding Color and Texture

Enhance your leaves using a product called Distress Ink.

assembling the coffee paper leaves
coffee paper leaves

I used the small pad around the edges of the leaves to give them more definition. 

Create veins and spots on your leaves for more realistic-looking leaves.

Add depth and dimension through shading and blending using this Distress Ink. This is a great way to give your DIY fall garland a unique look

Step Seven: Assembling the DIY Leaf Garland

Take a long piece of brown wrapping paper, crumple and twist it into a long branch. (If you need it longer, you can wire two or more pieces together.)

Using the grapevine wire, starting at one end of the branch, wrap the wire around the branch’s end and create a loop to attach your fall garland DIY to your mantel. Do not cut the wire.

Continue to wrap the wire, adding your berries, leaves, and corn husks to the garland.

Hot glue any additional leaves you would like directly to the vine. 

Remember the importance of spacing and balance for a beautiful garland.

Ideas to Customize Your Fall Leaf Garland DIY

Add your personal touches to match the style of your home. Here are a few fall garland decorations ideas:

  • Use watercolor paint for a little splash of color on your leaves, or dip in a paint bath like the picture below of the tags. This was a jar in which I put 1/4 cup of paint and 3/4 cup of water.
  • Add glitter to some of your leaves. You can use adhesive spray or Mod Podge to add the glitter.
  • Try adding some felt leaves for a different texture.
  • Cut out some pumpkin shape papers and add them to your garland for more fun decorating ideas.
Manila tags crumbled up, dipped in coffee and then in a paint mixture.

How to Style Your Faux Fall Leaves Garland

With your DIY leaf garland finished, it’s time to hang it up and enjoy your hard work.

Fall leaf garland made with coffee paper on the mantel above tehefireplace.

Showcase it on your fall mantel in the living room, or drape it over your front door for a charming display.

Here are a few other DIY fall garland ideas for displaying your newly crafted creation:

Table Runner: Place the garland down the center of your dining room table for a festive table runner. Add candles or pumpkins for an extra touch of fall decor.

Staircase Garland: Wrap the paper leaf garland around the banister of your staircase for a cozy autumn feeling.

Shelf Accents: Use the garland to decorate open shelves or a bookcase.

Window Swag: Swag your DIY paper leaf garland above a window for a beautiful autumn view.

flourish

Other Fall Projects from WM Design House

If you love this coffee leaf garland, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite fall ideas:

Fall Outdoor Tablescape DIY : Simple and Beautiful Ideas

How to Make a DIY Rope Wreath For the Fall Season

Fall Vignette with Old Books and Vintage finds

I trust you enjoyed this delightful autumn leaf craft incorporating my beloved morning beverage! It’s quite astonishing how many creative possibilities coffee holds. You might be pleasantly surprised to discover that coffee can even be used to dye fabric, imparting a wonderfully vintage aesthetic.

Now it is time to move on to my friend Regina’s blog @savedfromsalvage. You will love the creativity she has with her concrete.

signature

I hope you enjoyed this post! If you want to stay up-to-date on all my latest content, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest!

Pin It
Coffee filter garland pinterest pin

More about me!

Wendy

Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

Connect with Wendy

Similar Posts

35 Comments

  1. Wendy you need a tv show! You are so talented and inventive. Not to mention that you make things that diy and craft challenged people like me can make.

  2. I love this garland, and your coffee filter leaves are so pretty, and clever! I’m happy to be featuring your post at Tuesday Turn About this week!

  3. You are so creative! This is a really cute project.

  4. Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous diy garland on Farmhouse Friday! Featuring it this weekend. Pinned

  5. Wendy, I’ve seen coffee filter crafts but never coffee paper, love how you distressed it and made each leaf unique. The garland looks beautiful on your mantel – you are set for fall!

    1. Thank you, Regina. I love the paper, as it holds up much better than the filters.

  6. Such a fun handcrafted project Wendy. I love the neutral colors and how lovely it looks on your mantel. Gorgeous details that would look beautiful in any home! xo

    1. Thank you so much Susan. I hope you enjoyed your first Handcrafted Sociery with us!

  7. I love ideas where I can use packing paper, thank you for this idea so I can add it to my crafting arsenal Wendy. I love the additions you made to the garland, with the berries and leaves. I do not know about you, but I am looking forward to some cooler weather, hopefully heading our way soon. I cannot wait to work on some fall crafts soon.

    1. This certainly was a budget-friendly garland. I am always so anxious for fall to arrive that I seem to jump the gun.
      I am so anxious for cooler days. I recently went to Washington for a few days, and the weather was glorious with a high of 74 degrees.
      It felt so good.

  8. Rachel Harper says:

    Wendy
    I love this idea. Your garland turned out great.

  9. Wendy you are so creative I never would have thought to use coffee filters! These look so real l love how it came out! I hope you are enjoying your vacation!

    1. Thank you, Nicolle. I am back to reality as of this afternoon! Darn, why can’t we be on vacation all the time.

  10. Your fall mantel is absolutely gorgeous! The coffee leaves are so realistic looking, and I love that you mixed in gourds! Excellent tutorial Wendy!

    1. Thank you so much, Michelle. You are so sweet. I love that we both made something so similar. I will have to try dipping paper bags in coffee to see what look I get. I’ll keep you posted.

  11. Gorge as always Wendy! Loving all the textures you’ve added. Thanks bunches for organizing this group!!!

  12. Wendy, oh the things you can make with coffee filters! Very creative and I like the brown paper rolled up for the base of the garland! Very clever.

    1. Thank you, Mary! It sure makes for a budget-friendly garland and the effect you get from the coffee is so nice.

  13. The patina you achieve with the coffee filters is so beautiful! These leaves look fantastic on your beautifully styled mantel! Another great handcrafted project!

  14. This garland is wonderfully magnificent, Wendy!! It is so pretty for Fall with those amazing leaves that are so rustic. What a beautiful piece of decor to place in any area of your home for this season!

    1. Thank you, Rachel. It sure was a fun project. Have you ever dyed fabric or paper with coffee? I love that you get something different every time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *