Where we live, the trees around our house stay beautifully leafy all year round. Sure, they change colour and fall more often during certain times of year than others, but that just means we have an essentially never-ending supply of natural crafting materials! If you’ve never tried crafting with real leaves, then we’re very sorry to tell you that you’ve been missing out on something rather awesome indeed. Although there are lots of different ways that you can use leaves in DIY, one of our very favourite methods has always been decoupage!
There are so many ways to do decoupage with leaves that we feel like we could write several posts on this topic alone but, for now, here are 15 of the most interesting leaf decoupage ideas and tutorials that we’ve bookmarked lately to try on our weekend “crafternoons” with friends and the kids!
1. Decoupage leaf notebook
In addition to being a skilled DIY enthusiast, are you also a writer or maybe a big fan of drawing and sketching by hand? Well, if you’re the kind of person who keeps notebooks around for any reason then we have a strong feeling you’ll really appreciate this idea from Craft Invaders for using real leaf decoupage to embellish their covers in a way that’s nothing short of stunning!
2. Autumn leaf mason jar candle holder
Whether your intent is to use real leaves or fake ones made from fabric or paper, here’s an awesome craft for the candle lovers out there! This tutorial from Spark and Chemistry shows you step by step how to decoupage leaves to the outside surface of a glass mason jar in order to make a beautiful candle holder that will give off a lovely green or orange glow, depending on what colour of leaves you choose to work with.
3. DIY leaf bowl
Are you the kind of crafter who would almost always prefer to actually construct something with its own shape rather than just embellish something that’s already built? In that case, we think you just might be the perfect person to give something like this fantastic decoupaged leaf bowl a try! You can find a full and simple step by step guide for making it happen on To Simply Inspire.
4. Fall leaf decoupage pumpkin
Perhaps you’re the kind of fall enthusiast who adores bookmarking seasonal ideas all year round, saving them until it’s time to get crafty with leaves, pumpkins, and all of your other favourite fall elements? Well, particularly if you’d rather embellish your pumpkins than carve them, then we think you simply must take a look at this awesome leaf decoupaged pumpkin concept outlined in clear detail on Chica Circle.
5. Leaf decoupage lampshade
Do you actually love leaves so much that you’re completely open to incorporating them more solidly into your decor scheme, embellishing elements that you wouldn’t necessarily swap out very often? Then perhaps it’s time to turn your attention to your lampshades! You’ll love the way Practically Functional made theirs over beautifully using fall leaves and decoupage.
6. Stunning decoupage fall leaf napkins
On top of being a DIY lover and a nature enthusiast, are you also a big fan of all things based in upcycling? In that case, we think you simply must take a look at the way Pacific Sunset made stunning, framable decor pieces from dried leaves (and flowers) and unused napkins! The effect is clearly handmade and that only contributes to the finished product’s charm.
7. Leaf decoupage bangles
Are you actually so in love with the way that leaf decoupage looks that you can’t help wishing you could wear it somehow in order to show off its beauty to everyone as you go about your day? Then we’re pleased to report that, thanks to tutorials like this one from Livemaster, you can actually do precisely that! Take a better look at their page to see how these lovely, nature inspired bangles were made using leaf decoupage techniques.
8. Decoupage leaf tray
Speaking of upcycling, one of our very favourite ways to upcycle is to visit secondhand stores in our area and put creative twists on things that were once practical but aren’t as commonly used anymore, turning them into decorative pieces instead. That’s precisely what Michele Design Works shows you how to do here with this adorable leaf decoupaged serving tray that looks lovely hanging on the wall or being used as originally intend if you get the chance!
9. Fall leaf decoupage organizer
Are you actually scrolling through our list and finding yourself still thinking about the idea of making a leaf decoupaged notebook, but you’d prefer a bit more contrast than you saw in the solidly leaf covered book we showed you earlier on? In that case, we have a feeling you might get along a little better with something like this faded page and leaf cover concept outlined in great detail thanks to Arto Gift!
10. Fall leaf decoupage note cards
Have we actually still got you thinking about how much you love the idea of sharing the beauty of leaf decoupage with others but you’ve never really been one for wearing bangles? Then we’d suggest trying out these lovely leaf decoupaged greeting cards instead! They make awesome invitations or thank you notes and they’re very simple to do, as Chica Circle shows you.
11. Decoupage trinket box
Whether you decide to use the box as personal storage or a pretty place for trinkets, or whether you’d rather give it to a friend with a gift inside, here’s another lovely way to use all those leaves you’ve collected in your yard! Take a closer look at this tutorial from Aunt Annie to see how they decoupaged the top of this box nice and simply.
12. Gold and leaf canvas decoupage
If you’re going to put all the time and effort in that it takes to create some kind of leaf decoupage art, would you actually rather make something that’s a little more multi- or mixed media? Well, if you enjoy trying different kinds of canvas art eve half as much as we do then we’re pretty convinced that you’ll also adore this tutorial from My Crafts that teaches you how to combine painting with leaf and other kinds of pretty decoupage.
13. Layered decoupage leaf art on wood
Did we catch your attention quite well with the concept of mixed materials art but you’d rather change up the kind of background you’re working on than the kinds of materials you’re decoupaging with? In that case, we’d suspect that you’ll prefer this beautifully natural looking leaf art that’s built using real leaves decoupaged right onto a reclaimed wooden background! Get the full details for making your own on Just a Girl.
14. Decopuage leaf framed art
Are you feeling quite intrigued now by these lovely leaf decoupage wall art concepts but you’re more of a beginner in DIY than these featured artists and you’d much prefer to make something a little simpler? Then perhaps you’d have a better time making these framed pressed leaf frames outlined in careful detail on Martha Stewart! We’re not sure it’s really considered official decoupage when you’re only sticking down one piece, but it’s a start and sometimes that’s good enough for now.
15. Leaf decoupage and gourd birdhouse
Have we actually still got you thinking about how much you loved the idea of leaf decoupaging fall vegetables, like the pumpkin you saw earlier, but how you’ve actually always preferred to work with gourds because you like their shape better? Then we’re positive you’ll adore this tutorial from Gayla’s Art that shows you how to hollow out a gourd, dry it, cut a hole in the side for a door, and decoupage the outside in order to make a beautifully embellished birdhouse.
Have you made other kinds of fall leaf decoupage art before that you were very proud of indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you made and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
