Simple Way to Preserve Fall Leaves for Home Decor

My favorite season is fall. If you have read other posts of mine, then you know I love the joy of finding those special gifts that nature gives us. The grandkids also love looking for and finding colorful leaves.

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

Fall is at its beginning stages, and leaves are starting to come down. Bringing stunning colors, crisp air, and a sense of coziness that we all love. But as the leaves start to fall, we can’t help but feel a bit nostalgic for the beauty that won’t last forever. Well, fear not because there is a simple way to preserve and bring beautiful autumn leaves into your home. In this post, I will show you how to preserve fall leaves that will keep the autumn spirit alive.

I like to keep extras that I have preserved in a pretty jar, and then I can use them to decorate our Thanksgiving table. Having extras in a jar ensures that I have leaves that are still in good condition to do this.

There are a few ways to preserve fall leaves:

• Clear Spray
• Wax
• Wax Paper
• Glycerin

Clear Spray

To ensure that the leaves keep their vibrant colors and don’t crumble, you need to seal them. You can do this using a clear spray sealer. Spray both sides of the leaves evenly and let dry for a few hours. Once dry, you can store the leaves in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them or start decorating with them right away.

Pin it

Wax

You can coat your leaves in paraffin wax for a more durable preserving of fall leaves. Melt some wax in a double boiler (or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of boiling water) and carefully dip in your leaves. When using wax, I like to make a double boiler with a double layer of heavy-duty foil. The double layer gives that extra thickness, ensuring the foil does not easily puncture. This makes clean-up easy; when the leftover wax has cooled, I peel it out of the foil and save it in a container for future use. Make sure the leaves are fully coated in wax, then hang them up to dry or lay them on wax paper. This method will keep your leaves pliable and resistant to moisture.

UPDATE: With the wax method – the leaves seem to hold up longer than the clear spray or wax paper.

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

Wax Paper

One of the easiest leaf preservation methods is pressing your fall leaves between wax paper. Place your leaves between sheets of wax paper, then press them with a clothes iron. Be sure to put paper towels over the wax paper so you do not leave wax residue on your iron. The coating is not as thick as dipping it in paraffin wax, so your fall leaves will be more delicate. This method will keep your leaves flat and intact for framing or scrapbooking.

Pin it

Pin it

Glycerin

If you want to retain the leaf’s natural color and flexibility, try the glycerin method. Mix one part glycerin with two parts boiling water in a shallow dish. Submerge your leaves in the glycerin mixture and leave them for a few days to a week. Once your leaves have absorbed the glycerin mixture, they will stay soft and supple for years. Patience is not my strong suit ☺ and so I usually don’t want to wait a few days for them to be ready. I also usually discard the leaves at the end of the season because I hunt for new autumn leaves every year.

Pin it

Pin it

Pin it

I have tested all the methods and I found that the wax dipping is my favorite way to preserve fall leaves. The glycerin method also worked great, but it took longer, and because of the cost for a small bottle of Glycerin, I still preferred the dipped wax method.

There you have it – enjoy a brisk fall walk through your neighborhood, hike in your favorite forest, ride a bike on a country road, or head out your backdoor and find some of nature’s gifts.

Preserving fall leaves is a simple yet effective way to bring the beauty of autumn into your home all year long. Following these easy steps, you can make wonderful decor pieces that remind you of the cozy and colorful season. Whether you create a fall wreath, centerpiece, kids’ crafts, or wall art, the preserved leaves will add a touch of warmth and nostalgia to your home. So go out and pick some beautiful leaves, press, seal, and enjoy the beauty of autumn for months to come!

Read my post Fall Decor – Time to Enjoy the Slower, Simpler Season, for some fall decorating ideas.

Let me know if you preserve fall leaves and your favorite method or if you have discovered a different one.

Happy Fall!

Yvonne ♥