From the pastel blooms of spring to the deep, rich hues of autumn, flowers can transform nature into a stunning work of art—and they can do the same for your home.

Their intrinsic beauty can augment your design aesthetic and suit any color palette. Whether you incorporate natural blooms or representations of them into your autumn decor, you’ll create a natural and pleasing ambience that’s guaranteed to make you smile.

Bouquets

If you adore flower arrangements, you’re not alone. Their popularity dates back thousands of years—displaying flowers in vases was a common practice among the ancient Egyptians. Decorating with flowers can be incredibly affordable; a fresh bouquet brings a lovely look and aroma to almost any space in your home. To add an autumnal flair to your interior, simply cut a few flowers from your garden, pick bunches of wildflowers from a nearby field, or select a collection of low-cost blooms in reds, yellows, and oranges from your local grocer.

Arranging flowers can be a relaxing and fun activity that allows you to express your creativity. For some tried-andtrue fall combinations, go with a seasonal look by pairing sunflowers with black-eyed Susans or create a beautiful arrangement of either fresh or dried hydrangeas.

Then mix in a little greenery, such as ferns, for extra variety and texture. Make sure to remove leaves that will fall below the waterline in your container to prevent bacteria growth, and consider adding preservative flower food to the water to extend the life of your bouquet.

The blossoms you choose can also significantly affect how long they’ll last. For instance, coneflowers, mums, and zinnias are among the ones best known for their staying power. An even longer-lasting option is to go with faux flowers; they can look surprisingly realistic and will never die, though you will want to clean them with a microfiber cloth or duster every now and then.

Wreaths and garlands

DIY greenery of natural or faux flowers can be an inexpensive, stunning addition to your home, whether you hang a wreath on your front door or adorn your table with a floral garland as a centerpiece. With their bright hues, daisies, hydrangeas, and sunflowers are especially enchanting choices this time of year. To make your own wreath, all you’ll need are some blooms; floral tape or a glue gun; and a grapevine, straw, or metal wreath form. Assembling a flowery garland is equally uncomplicated: you can easily bind lengths of greenery and flowers together with floral wire. When you’re satisfied with the result, spray your fresh blooms with a floral preservative to help them last for a few weeks.

Floral decor

Wallpaper, fabrics, and artwork can allow you to enjoy a veritable garden of blooms year-round. Go bold by hanging an eye-catching floral pattern to create a focal point on your living room wall, or scatter subtle hints of flowers throughout your home through your choice of kitchen accessories, throw pillows, and wall hangings. You can even make your own flower artwork using the ancient Japanese art of flower pounding, which involves hammering flowers with a heavy object to make colorful patterns on fabric or thick paper. Another fun option: creating unique botanical designs by pressing flowers (such as between the pages of a book or with an iron) and framing them to enjoy their loveliness for years to come.

Whether fresh, dried, or faux, a rose—or a flower by any other name—can be equally as sweet in your home’s decor.