Autumn door decorations don’t have to be in the form of a classic round wreath. Using burlap, light fibers, and natural decorations, you can create a hanging gnome with a long beard, whose look you can easily adapt to whatever materials you have on hand.
What You’ll Need
- burlap or another coarse natural fabric for the hat,
- light natural or textile fibers for the beard,
- a round wooden or textile piece for the nose,
- string for hanging and tying,
- dried or decorative autumn leaves,
- pinecones, acorns, twigs, ears of grain, berries, or dried flowers as available,
- scissors and suitable materials to securely fasten the parts together.
If you use fresh natural materials, keep in mind they will gradually dry out. For a long-lasting decoration, well-dried or artificial elements are more practical.
1. Choose your gnome’s basic shape: First, sketch out the overall silhouette. The gnome in the photo has a tall burlap hat with a bent tip, a prominent round nose, and a long light beard. The edge of the hat is decorated with a rich arrangement of colorful leaves and small twigs.
2. Prepare the tall hat: Shape the burlap fabric into an elongated cone. Fold the bottom edge outward to create a sturdier brim. A smaller version can be decorated with leaves, an acorn, and a simple burlap bow.
3. Shape the bent tip: Don’t leave the top of the hat straight. Gently bend it to the side and tie or shape the tip so it holds a soft, fairy-tale look. You can add leaves, a pinecone, and a bundle of natural fibers to the side.
4. Fold the brim over the nose: Fold the bottom part of the hat so it partially covers the round nose. There’s no need to add eyes to the face. The typical gnome look comes from the combination of a low-set hat, nose, and beard.
5. Try a colored hat: If you have natural fabric in a warm rusty shade, use it for the main part of the hat and trim only the bottom edge or tip with burlap. Decorate with ears of grain, dried leaves, and a simple tie.
6. Add small twigs: For a more subtle version, decorate with a small bundle of heather-like flowers, twigs, and a few leaves. Place the natural materials on the side of the hat and secure them with a string tied into a bow.
7. Layer pinecones and leaves: If you want a richer decoration, layer the leaves and add several small pinecones in the center. Arrange the composition diagonally upward to follow the shape of the hat.
8. Add a small autumn motif: You can tuck a small textile pumpkin among the leaves. The light element stands out on brown burlap and visually connects the hat with the beard.
9. Finish the decoration with a bow: A wide burlap ribbon makes a striking bow. Place it in front of the leaves and hang acorns beneath its center. Make sure the decoration doesn’t cover the nose or beard.
10. Style the beard into a mustache: Separate some of the upper fibers to each side and shape them into a curled mustache. Let the rest flow freely downward. This gives the gnome a neater and more cheerful look.
11. Use dried flowers: Instead of pinecones, decorate the side of the hat with a muted bundle of dried flowers and leaves. Soft dusty pink, brown, and greenish tones look natural and suit light-colored doors.
12. Create a bold color accent: Yellow leaves and red berries stand out beautifully on a simple burlap hat. A round nose in a similar shade ties the color composition together.
13. Tie the decoration with natural fiber: Gather leaves, acorns, and a few thin strips of fiber into a single bundle. Leave the knot or bow visible, as it highlights the rustic character of the piece.
14. Combine two textures: The hat doesn’t have to be only burlap. The main part can be made from a sturdier green fabric, while the folded brim remains natural. A rope around the brim visually separates the two parts.
15. Make a deeper brim: A wider folded brim can also serve as a small pocket for chestnuts, leaves, and twigs. Arrange the elements so they’re securely fastened and won’t fall out when hung.
16. Add ears of grain and a dark bow: For a more elegant look, combine dried grasses, grain ears, and a few leaves. A dark bow creates contrast and highlights where the bundle is attached to the hat.
17. Decorate the beard too: The decoration doesn’t have to stay just on the hat. A small bundle of twigs and leaves can also be attached to the bottom of the beard. Use only light elements so the beard keeps its airy shape.
18. Use rich autumn colors: Fan out yellow, orange, and burgundy leaves along the side of the hat. Add small fruits or a lantern-shaped element lower down and tie everything with a thin string.
19. Choose coarser natural fibers for the beard: The beard can also be made from uneven, stiff fibers. After attaching, spread them out by hand, separate some to the sides as a mustache, and trim only the most protruding ends.
20. Attach a loop and hang up your gnome: Add a sturdy string loop to the top of the hat. Hang your finished gnome on the door and check that it hangs straight. Finally, adjust the beard, the bent tip, and the leaf arrangement.
Final Tip
Protect your gnome from prolonged rain and strong wind, especially if you used real dried leaves, grain, or pinecones. You can match the colors of the decoration to your door: light beards and yellow leaves stand out on a dark background, while rusty, burgundy, and brown details look striking on light doors.
