A paper wreath is an inexpensive way to decorate a door, wall, mantel, or table for any season. With a sturdy base, a mix of folded or shaped paper leaves, and a few carefully chosen colors, you can make a wreath that looks full without requiring advanced craft skills.
Materials and tools
You can make this project with ordinary paper-crafting supplies. The exact quantities depend on the size and fullness you want, but the list below is a useful starting point for a wreath about 12 to 14 inches wide.
- One sheet of corrugated cardboard or a sturdy paper plate for the base
- Green, white, cream, brown, or seasonal colored paper
- A pencil and ruler
- Scissors or a craft knife
- A cutting mat if using a craft knife
- Glue stick, tacky craft glue, or a low-temperature glue gun
- Double-sided tape, optional
- A plate or bowl for tracing the wreath circles
- Twine, ribbon, or a picture-hanging hook
- Acrylic paint or markers, optional
- Small paper scraps for berries, flowers, cones, or accents
For paper, combine different weights rather than using only one type. Lightweight printer paper folds easily and works well for leaves. Cardstock holds curves and raised shapes better, while pages from an old book, sheet music, kraft paper, wrapping paper, or painted newspaper can add texture. Avoid very thin tissue paper for the main structure because it tears easily, though it can be useful for small flowers.
Choose a seasonal design
Before cutting, decide whether your wreath will represent a particular season or simply use colors that work year-round. A restrained palette usually looks more finished than using every color available.
| Season or occasion | Useful colors | Paper elements |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Soft green, yellow, pink, lavender | New leaves, daisies, buds |
| Summer | Bright green, coral, blue, white | Large leaves, sunflowers, berries |
| Autumn | Rust, ochre, burgundy, brown | Oak leaves, acorns, seed pods |
| Winter | Evergreen, white, silver, kraft | Pine branches, berries, snowflakes |
| Year-round | Green, cream, tan, one accent color | Simple foliage and layered blooms |
For a natural-looking wreath, use two or three greens with one or two accent colors. For a children’s craft or party decoration, brighter contrasting colors can be more appealing. You can also make a neutral wreath from book pages and kraft paper, then add removable seasonal pieces with small tabs of double-sided tape.
Make the wreath base
The base determines whether the finished wreath stays round and hangs flat, so take time with this step.
- Place a dinner plate or large bowl on the cardboard and trace around it. This gives you the outside edge.
- Put a smaller bowl or cup in the center and trace a second circle. Leave a ring at least 2 inches wide. A wider ring gives you more room to attach leaves and hides gaps more effectively.
- Cut out the outer circle. If using a craft knife, protect your work surface and keep your fingers away from the cutting path. Scissors are suitable for thinner cardboard.
- Cut out the inner circle to create a ring. If the cardboard bends or has a printed surface, cover it with kraft paper or paint it a color that matches your foliage.
- Check the ring on a flat surface. If it rocks or has a warped edge, press it beneath a heavy book for several minutes or glue a second ring behind it with the corrugation running in the opposite direction.
A paper plate is a quick alternative. Use two plates for extra strength, cut out the centers, and glue the rims together. You can also use a purchased foam wreath form, but cardboard is easier to recycle and costs less.
Cut and shape the paper foliage
The most convincing paper wreaths use several leaf shapes instead of repeating one identical template. Draw a few simple templates on scrap paper first, then trace them onto your chosen papers.
Try making:
- Long pointed leaves for evergreen branches or grasses
- Rounded leaves for spring and summer foliage
- Lobed leaves for oak or maple-inspired autumn shapes
- Small oval leaves for filling empty spaces
- Narrow strips for curling vines
- Diamond or teardrop shapes for stylized greenery
Cut more pieces than you think you need. A medium wreath often takes 40 to 70 leaves, depending on their size and how tightly they overlap.
To add dimension, fold each leaf lightly down the center. Do not crease every leaf sharply; a soft fold looks more natural. For pointed leaves, pinch the base slightly so it lifts away from the wreath. For curved leaves, wrap the paper gently around a pencil, marker, or wooden dowel and release it. If the paper springs flat, make the curve tighter or use cardstock.
You can add veins with a colored pencil, marker, or the blunt end of a butter knife. Press gently along the center and branching lines. On dark paper, use a white or metallic pencil. Keep the markings subtle so they do not overpower the overall arrangement.
Build the first layer
Lay several leaves around the cardboard ring before gluing anything. This lets you test the direction and spacing. A common arrangement is to point all the leaves clockwise, but alternating clockwise and counterclockwise groups creates a fuller, more natural shape.
Start on the outer edge of the ring. Apply glue only to the lower part of each leaf, leaving the tip free. Overlap the next leaf so it covers the glued section of the previous one. Continue around the ring until the cardboard edge is hidden.
Next, add a second row closer to the center opening. Point these leaves in the same direction or angle them slightly inward. The inner row should cover the unfinished inner edge of the cardboard without blocking too much of the opening.
For a fuller wreath, add a third layer between the outer and inner rows. Place these leaves at different angles and vary their lengths. Avoid creating a perfectly even border; small changes in height make the wreath appear more dimensional.
If using a glue gun, work in short sections because hot glue sets quickly. Tacky craft glue gives you more time to adjust the placement but may need clips or small weights while drying. Double-sided tape works for lightweight paper, though it is less dependable in warm or humid rooms.
Add flowers, berries, and seasonal details
Foliage creates the structure, but a few focal details give the wreath its seasonal character. Choose one large cluster or three smaller clusters rather than scattering decorations randomly across every section.
Simple paper flowers
Cut five or six rounded petals from paper and glue them in a circle. Add a small circle, button, rolled paper coil, or cluster of tiny paper dots in the center. For a more dimensional flower, curl each petal around a pencil before attaching it.
Another easy method is to cut a spiral from a paper circle. Starting at the outside edge, roll the spiral tightly toward the center. Let it loosen slightly, then glue the bottom to hold the rosette together. Make several sizes and layer them in one area of the wreath.
Paper berries
Punch or cut small circles from red, orange, yellow, or white paper. Fold each circle in half and glue several folded circles together along their straight edges. When opened, they form a rounded berry. Attach berries in groups of three or five rather than individually.
Autumn and winter accents
For autumn, cut acorn caps, seed pods, or irregular leaf silhouettes from kraft and brown paper. A dry brush of darker paint along the edges creates contrast. For winter, use narrow strips of dark green cardstock for evergreen needles, white paper snowflakes, and small red berries. Silver or gold paper can be used sparingly for a frosted effect.
Place the largest accents first, then fill around them with smaller leaves. Step back every few minutes and view the wreath from several feet away. Details that look balanced close up can become crowded when the wreath is seen from across a room.
Create a hanger and finish the back
Turn the wreath over and inspect the back before hanging it. Trim stray glue strings and reinforce any loose leaves. Cut a length of ribbon or twine, form a loop, and glue or staple it to the top of the cardboard ring. For a heavier wreath, make two small holes near the top and thread the ribbon through them before tying a knot on the back.
If the wreath will hang on a door, add a small patch of felt or folded paper over the hanger attachment. This protects the door from rough cardboard edges. A removable adhesive hook is suitable for lightweight wreaths, but check the weight limit and clean the surface before applying it.
To display the wreath on a table, leave off the hanger and place it around a vase, candle holder, or bowl. Keep paper away from open flames and use battery-operated candles instead of real ones.
Troubleshooting common problems
The wreath looks flat. Curl more leaves and add a few upright pieces behind the first layer. Cardstock stems or narrow folded strips can lift focal flowers away from the base.
The cardboard ring is visible. Add a narrow row of leaves around the outside and inside edges. You can also paint the ring green, brown, or a matching accent color before attaching the decorations.
The wreath looks sparse. Do not immediately add large decorations. First fill open areas with small leaves, curled paper strips, or clusters of berries. Small pieces are better at disguising gaps.
The paper keeps tearing. Use thicker paper for pieces that must be curled or glued at a narrow point. For thin paper, fold or layer two shapes together before shaping them.
The wreath will not hang flat. Check whether the cardboard base is warped or whether one side has too much glue. Press the wreath beneath a clean, heavy book with a sheet of scrap paper between them. Do not flatten it for too long if you have intentionally raised the foliage.
Glue shows on the front. Apply adhesive to the bottom third of each piece and use less than you think you need. Tacky glue can be spread with a toothpick, while hot glue is easiest to hide beneath overlapping leaves.
Protect and store the finished wreath
Paper wreaths are best displayed indoors or in a sheltered, dry location. Humidity can soften the cardboard, curl the paper, and loosen glue. Direct sunlight may fade colored paper, especially inexpensive dyed sheets.
For a temporary outdoor display, hang the wreath beneath a covered porch and protect it with a clear display box or removable plastic cover. Ordinary paper is not waterproof, and clear spray sealers can darken, stiffen, or warp some papers. Test any sealer on a leftover piece before applying it to the finished wreath.
When the season ends, store the wreath flat in a large box with tissue paper around raised decorations. Do not place heavy objects on top. If you made interchangeable flowers or berries, keep them in a labeled envelope so you can refresh the wreath next year without rebuilding the base.
A paper wreath can be redesigned repeatedly: replace the focal cluster, add a new ribbon, or attach seasonal pieces over the existing foliage. That flexibility is what makes a simple cardboard ring and paper scraps useful for decorating throughout the year.