How to make an easy DIY magnolia wreath with fresh leaves. Beautiful modern farmhouse, boho, wedding, Thanksgiving, Christmas decorations!
We love our DIY fresh magnolia wreath! Can you believe it is so easy to make, and it is basically free? This DIY magnolia wreath happened in a totally spontaneous way: I was taking a walk and saw a tree-trimming guy putting some magnolia branches on the curb.
Two minutes later, I walked by a cardboard box by the recycle bin. And a light bulb came on: maybe I will try to make a wreath using the magnolia leaves and the cardboard ?!?
So, what do you think? Doesn’t this magnolia wreath look elegant and stylish on the front door, especially considering it is free, and unplanned? 🙂
The other thing I like about it is that this beautiful wreath would be lovely not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but also for any time of the year!
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Table of Contents
- Check out the easy video and or skip to written tutorial below!
- Step 1: Gather some fresh magnolia leaves.
- Step 2: Cut cardboard form for your magnolia wreath
- Step 3: Glue magnolia leaves onto the cardboard wreath form
Check out the easy video and or skip to written tutorial below!
Step 1: Gather some fresh magnolia leaves.
Fresh magnolia leaves or dried leaves are both great. I painted some of the magnolia leaves gold and some silver, using Decoart 24K Gold Americana Decor Metallics paint and Decoart Stesilver Americana Decor Metallics paint, I love these paints! Thank you Decoart for the gifts!
I made a big magnolia wreath, which measures 24″ across. For a wreath this size you will need about 100 magnolia leaves. It sounds like a lot, but it is very easy to collect this many under a big tree!
Some of you might be wondering “How long does a magnolia leaves wreath stay green?” If they are out of direct sun, magnolia leaves will age to a gorgeous light olive green, then turning to brown a couple of months later.
You can preserve magnolia leaves by soaking them in a solution of 1 part vegetable glycerin and 2 parts water for 3-5 days, then let dry in shade before use.
Step 2: Cut cardboard form for your magnolia wreath
Our front door is protected from the rain. If your magnolia door wreath is exposed to the rain, use a grapevine wreath form, or foam wreath form instead of the cardboard to make this wreath more weatherproof.
You can also make a grapevine or honeysuckle wreath form easily as shown in this tutorial!
Draw two concentric circles on the cardboard. Overlap the cardboard if it’s not big enough.
I used an 18″ bowl for the outer circle, and a 12″ bowl for the inner circle. You don’t have to use these dimensions, the key is that the cardboard section should be about 2-3″ wide.
Cut out the cardboard ring shape. Make sections of the ring and glue them together if your cardboard piece is not big enough.
Make 2-3 cardboard rings. Overlap and glue them together for extra strength.
UPDATE: we like the cardboard ring idea so much that we made some easy and beautiful kitchen cabinet wreaths for Christmas too! Tutorial here!
Step 3: Glue magnolia leaves onto the cardboard wreath form
Take a hot glue gun and use hot glue to attach the stem of the magnolia leaves to the cardboard wreath form.
Arrange the leaves in a fan shape. Alternate the green leaves with the painted leaves, and make them dense enough to cover the glued stems and cardboard.
When you reach the end of the circle, carefully glue the last few leaves so they are tucked under the first ones.
This magnolia leaf wreath would look beautiful hanging on a panel of reclaimed wood or any colored front door or interior doors! All you need is a door wreath hanger like this one, and some strings tied to the cardboard at the back.
Now we have a fresh magnolia leaf wreath to decorate our door for Christmas and Thanksgiving! This wreath lasted for quite a few week in the cool weather outside.
I really like the painted silver and gold magnolia leaves. They look modern and glam on a magnolia Christmas wreath, they are also beautiful among fall and Thanksgiving decor with golden colors. Next time I will make a magnolia garland like this!
We have some more beautiful decorating ideas using magnolia leaves in our Thanksgiving table decor ideas here!
If you love DIY wreaths, you would love this hack on how to make wreaths using a dry cleaner’s hanger!
A couple more favorite ideas on decorating with nature’s elements: 24 Stunning pots for winter and Christmas decorations! No plants? Use cuttings!
Make a beautiful and long-lasting centerpiece in 10 minutes!
Happy creating! See you next week!