Turn leftover Amazon packing paper into a gorgeous DIY fall leaf garland! This cheap and easy project makes the perfect fall garland for the mantle or hutch. Free decor never looked so good!
We all have it—that never-ending stash of packing paper from our Amazon deliveries, right?
I’ve been saving mine up, knowing it would come in handy for a fun craft project.
Well, today is the day!
We finally put it to good use, and for fall, we can’t think of anything better than a charming paper fall leaf garland.
The best part?
We had all the supplies on hand, which means this project was totally free (and who doesn’t love free decor?).
It came together in no time and looks gorgeous swagged across my hutch, but it would be just as stunning draped over a mantle or doorway.
Ready to see how easy it is to make your own?
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Why You’ll Love This DIY
You’ll love this DIY recycled paper fall leaf garland because it’s simple, free, and a beautiful way to decorate for the season.
By reusing Amazon packing paper, you can create charming leaves with plenty of rustic texture and warmth.
It comes together quickly, looks stunning on a hutch or mantle, and gives your home that cozy autumn feel—all without spending a dime!
Supplies You’ll Need
To make this recycled paper fall leaf garland, you’ll only need a handful of simple supplies—most of which you probably already have at home.
We used brown packing paper from Amazon deliveries to cut our leaves, then added depth and a touch of shimmer with antique gold Rub ’n Buff and a brown ink pad.
For assembly, jute string and hot glue hold everything together beautifully.
The only tools required are a good pair of scissors and a glue gun, making this an easy, budget-friendly DIY anyone can try.
- Brown packing paper (we reused Amazon packing paper)
- Antique Gold Rub ’n Buff
- Brown ink pad
- Jute string
- Hot glue
- Scissors
- Glue gun
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Create Paper Leaves
Now that you’ve gathered all your supplies, it’s time to start creating the paper leaves for your fall leaf garland!
1: Cut Out Leaves
To speed up the process of making your garland, we cut out five leaves at a time.
Start by taking your packing paper and accordion-folding it until you have five layers stacked together.
Next, place your leaf template on top (you can tap the button below to download our free maple and oak leaf patterns, or simply sketch your own) and pin it to the paper stack.
Using a good pair of paper scissors, cut out the leaves through all the layers at once.
We cut about 65 leaves to create a garland that measures roughly seven feet long.
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2. Add Dimension to Paper Leaves
To give your paper leaves a realistic, textured look, start by gently crumpling each one in your hands to create natural folds and veins.
Then, using either your fingertip or a small paintbrush, lightly apply antique gold Rub ’n Buff in random spots on both sides of the leaf.
This adds a soft shimmer that catches the light beautifully.
Next, take a brown ink pad and drag it over the crumpled surface, again working on both sides, to bring out the texture and add depth.
The subtle mix of shimmer and earthy color transforms each cutout into leaves that feel naturally dried and full of fall character.
Assemble Recycled Paper Fall Leaf Garland
Here’s a polished, easy-to-follow version of your garland assembly step:
Once all of your leaves are finished, it’s time to bring them together into a beautiful fall leaf garland.
Start by cutting a length of jute twine to the size you’d like your garland to be.
Tie a knot where you want each side “drop” to begin, then lay the twine flat on a piece of cardboard to make assembly easier.
Begin at one end by running a small bead of hot glue along the twine, then press a leaf over the glue, gently scrunching it as you adhere it to create more dimension.
(A quick word of caution: the glue is very hot—we burned our fingers a few times! If you have a glove or silicone finger protectors, they’ll come in handy here.)
Continue gluing leaves in place, rotating them at different angles and scrunching as you go for a natural, full look.
Work down one side of the drop, then repeat on the other.
Once both ends are finished, fill in the center swag of the garland in the same way, layering and rotating your leaves until the garland looks lush and balanced.
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Style Fall Garland and Enjoy
Now comes the fun part—styling your new fall leaf garland and enjoying it!
We draped ours across the top of my hutch by placing a small command hook on each side and simply looping the twine over the hooks.
To complete the look, we styled the hutch with a DIY fall art piece (click here for free seasonal art ideas), then layered in amber glass and a few pumpkins for extra fall charm and texture.
When the light catches the garland, the gold accents shimmer beautifully, adding the perfect touch of cottage-style rustic charm to our dining room.
Tips & Variations
Looking for more ways to use your recycled paper leaves?
One fun variation is to make the leaves smaller and glue them onto branches cut from your yard to create a rustic centerpiece—a perfect way to bring the season to your dining table.
You could also mix in book pages with the packing paper for a layered, textured look, or spray a few leaves with gold or copper paint for extra shimmer.
Another idea is to attach the leaves to a wreath form instead of twine, giving you a one-of-a-kind fall wreath.
What ways will you use recycled paper leaves in your home? We’d love to hear from you!
However you style them, these versatile paper leaves are an easy way to add handmade charm to your autumn decor.
Shop Fall Leaf Garlands
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And don’t forget to cozy up your home for fall with 10 Fall Simmer Pot Recipes.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—a simple, budget-friendly way to turn everyday packing paper into a beautiful fall leaf garland!
I love how this project adds rustic charm and a handmade touch to my autumn decor, all without spending a dime.
We’d love to hear how you style yours—will you hang it on a mantle, hutch, or doorway?
Be sure to share your creations and don’t forget to pin this tutorial for later so you’ll have it ready when the fall crafting mood strikes!
We hope you found some inspiration for your fall home today.
Please share your tips and ideas with us.
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