Fall is in the air, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are available at Starbucks and the nights are getting chilly. Autumn is one of my favorite seasons to decorate for. The cool air just leaves me so inspired, but money doesn’t always come with inspiration. Today I’m going to share with you some ideas on how you can decorate with pinecones (for free) this fall!
The very first thing you will want to do is start collecting pinecones from the ground. Maybe when you are out on your evening walks, taking your dog out or getting in that morning run before work, you can also be grabbing some and bringing them home. Be sure to store them outdoors until you have as many as you need, because there might be bugs in them, and nobody wants bugs in their apartment!
Speaking of bugs, let’s talk about how we are going to handle those pesky bugs! We are actually going to bake the pinecones, and despite how weird that sounds, it really works.
How to Preserve Pinecones
1. Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil and lay pinecones out in a single layer.
3. Bake the pinecones for 30 to 45 minutes or until the pinecones have opened.
4. Let them cool untouched for a few days before using them in crafts.
5. Enjoy your new decorations.
*DISCLOSURE: Please do not leave pinecones unattended during the baking process in case anything should start to smoke.
Now that you have prepared and preserved your pinecones, it’s time to use them in your decorations. You don’t have to do anything fancy to utilize these effectively in your décor. Here are three of my favorite ways to use pinecones for fall.
Fill a Mason Jar
You can just simply fill mason jars with your new pinecones. You might want to use multiple small ones or even just place one pinecone in the jar for a more simplistic display.
Display Pinecones on a Plate
Sometimes you don’t even need to leave your kitchen to decorate for fall. You can easily display your newly found pinecones on a simple plate or perhaps fill an heirloom bowl.
Mix With Other Textures
Pinecones and pumpkins are like peas and carrots; they go together so well! Don’t hesitate to mix different elements together. On my fall mantel, I mixed my little white pumpkins and pinecones, then placed them on some Spanish moss for a rustic look. It definitely brings in the coziness that fall represents.
So this year, when you’re ready to pull out your décor and you feel like you are just missing something, head out into nature and grab a few pinecones.
If you are looking for more fall decorating ideas, be sure and check out this article on modern fall décor.