Fall is in the air, and there’s no better way to welcome the season than with a DIY fall wreath on your door or wall. That idea sent me to the local dollar store in search of a simple, budget-friendly base for an autumn project—and I ended up turning a plain green vine into a festive, upcycled wreath.
Today I’m back with another dollar store craft. If you’ve followed my projects before, you know I like to take inexpensive finds and transform them into seasonal decor that looks much more expensive than it really is.
DIY Fall Wreath from a Dollar Store Vine
What I bought was a simple, plastic green vine from the dollar store. It wasn’t particularly autumnal, but it had good bones for an upcycle project.
Despite the store still feeling like summer, I decided to paint the vine to capture rich fall tones. With a few acrylic paints, the transformation was instant.
Supplies
Here’s what I used for this project. Keep extras on hand—small amounts of paint and a few embellishments go a long way.
- One plastic vine from the dollar store
- DecoArt Americana acrylic paints in red, yellow, black and tan
- DecoArt metallic paint in bronze (or any metallic accent)
- Paint brushes
- Cardboard cut into a donut shape (wreath base)
- Strips of neutral fabric to add bulk
- Stapler or hot glue
- Burlap ribbon and an additional decorative ribbon (gold or metallic works well)
- Dried flowers or natural stems
- Small embellishments like mini squash or decorative accents
- Toothpicks for attaching lightweight items
Disclosure: This post mentions products used for the project. Any product references are for informational purposes only.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by painting the plastic vine. I used red and yellow to get warm orange tones, plus touches of tan, black and bronze for depth. Painting the stems and leaves made the vine read much more autumnal and rich in color.
Next, create a sturdy but lightweight base. Cut a piece of cardboard into a donut shape; this becomes the foundation for multiple wreaths if you reuse it. Wrap the cardboard with strips of neutral fabric to add bulk and texture. I stapled the fabric in place for speed, but hot glue works well if you prefer a cleaner finish.
Once the base is prepared, begin layering ribbons. I wrapped burlap ribbon around the base first to provide a rustic backdrop, then tucked sections of the painted vine under the burlap so the leaves stayed put. Because the leaves were still a bit unruly, I added a second gold ribbon over the vine to secure everything and to evoke the look of sunlight hitting yellow leaves—one of those quintessential autumn images.
Add dried flowers or natural stems for softness and dimension. I found delicate dried blooms on neighborhood walks—pink or lilac in bloom and turning a soft blue when dried. If you don’t know their names, that’s okay; they add great texture whether identified or not.
For a finishing touch, I painted some mini styrofoam squash in bronze, tan and black to match the wreath tones. To attach them, snap a toothpick into two pieces: push the pointy end into the cardboard base, and press the squash onto the other short piece so it stays secure.
Stick in a few extra stems or small embellishments for variety, then step back and adjust placement until the composition looks balanced. A small chalkboard tag or simple sign can add a personalized greeting or seasonal message.
The finished wreath feels warm, rustic and handmade—perfect for a front door, entryway or seasonal wall display.
Even my little pumpkin figure gives it a thumbs-up.
What I Learned
- Keep small bottles of paint on hand—color can transform inexpensive materials.
- Don’t throw things away; inexpensive items can become great craft supplies.
- A simple cardboard base wrapped in fabric is a cheap, reusable foundation for many wreaths.
- When picking natural elements, try to note their names so you can reuse them confidently later.
This cardboard-based approach is eco-friendly and budget-conscious, and the finished wreath is easily updated for future seasons. I love how a few coats of paint and a handful of inexpensive accents turned a summer-looking vine into an autumn staple.
If you enjoyed this project, consider creating variations: metallic leaves, eucalyptus accents, or a neutral palette can all give a different seasonal vibe while using the same cardboard base.
More Dollar Store Fall Craft Ideas
See what other crafty friends created for a dollar store fall craft challenge: Across the Boulevard, My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies, Purple Hues and Me, Sew Crafty Crochet, Stone Cottage Adventures, The Boondocks Blog, Two Chicks and a Mom.
If you like this project, share it with friends or save the images for inspiration.
Fall DIY ideas to explore: an easy eucalyptus wreath or a simple fall vignette are great next projects if you want to expand your seasonal decor.
This blog and its DIY tutorials are for inspiration and entertainment. These projects are not professional advice. Product references are mentioned for convenience only.