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How to Make a Wreath – The Ultimate DIY Guide

Kylie

Everything you need to know about how to make a wreath: wreath forms, styles, types and supplies so you can easily and confidently make any wreath!

Want to make a wreath? I can help!

Wreaths are a perfect introduction to crafting, and there are beautiful tutorials for every skill level. I personally love the quick and easy (and pretty!) wreaths, so if that’s what you’re looking to make, I’m your girl!

It’s no secret, I love making wreaths. I have posted dozens of wreath tutorials! I think I have almost every season covered, haha. My Tulip Wreath has been made by thousands of readers. It’s been so fun to see so many people thrilled with the results!

I’d love to show you my favorite tricks and tips to get your creative juices flowing. By the end of this post, I want you to feel empowered to be able to re-create any gorgeous wreath you see when you’re out an about! Even better, I would love for you to be able to put your own creative spin on it!

Most Popular Types of Wreath Forms

There are a few common wreath forms that are widely available at craft stores, that can provide a base for your wreath. The most popular types of wreath frames are: extruded foam, grapevine, wire, straw, and hoop. Each type of wreath form is conducive to different types of greenery or flowers. And some wreath forms kind of dictate a particular style. I can explain…

How to Make a Wreath - The Ultimate DIY Wreath Guide

Foam Wreath Form

My most popular wreath (Tulip Wreath DIY) is made with a foam wreath form, using a wrapped ribbon technique I’m pretty sure I made up. Foam wreath forms (say that five times fast!) come in either green or white. Sometimes called “extruded foam wreaths,” they’re made up of a very firm dry floral foam.

They typically cost around $8 (use a coupon!) and are easy to find at most craft stores. You can buy them in a round circle shape or in a flat circle shape. They’re lightweight, and are great for wreaths that require the use of floral pins, and work well with hot glue as well.

How to Make a Wreath - foam wreath form

They are somewhat delicate, if they drop, they usually break. My friend had a tulip wreath on her front door and it fell and broke into pieces. She was SO SAD! So make sure its secured well to your door, or use it indoors.

PROS
lightweight
smooth finish
convex shape
holds floral pins well

CONS
somewhat delicate and can break if dropped
more expensive than other options

Peach tulip wreath DIY - on gorgeous teal door!

My wreaths that use a foam wreath form:
Tulip Wreath
Ombre Peony Heart Wreath

Grapevine Wreath Form

Grapevine wreath forms are probably the most popular type of wreath form. They are the dark brown woven twiggy branch-y (not a word) wreaths you commonly see as the basis of more “natural” or rustic type of wreaths.

I use grapevine wreaths in my garland wreaths because the branches blend in nicely with the greenery. They’re sturdy and fairly versatile, as far as the type of look you can achieve. Grapevine wreaths have a nice full base, and still look pretty with sparse flowers or greenery, which means a potentially low-cost wreath project.

How to Make a Wreath - grapevine wreath form

If you are hoping to make a wreath with an asymmetrical flower arrangement, grapevine wreaths would probably be the way to go. The exposed grapevine is pretty on its own.

Since there are lots of woven branches, its easy to tuck in flowers, or wire them on (like my Magnolia Wreath), or secure them with hot glue.

Grapevine wreath forms are fairly inexpensive (around $5) and come in a variety of sizes that are easy to find in craft stores.

They can be spray painted a bit (lovely with frosty white pinecones!), but they are kind of limiting, style wise. You can’t quite use modern/neon colors or styles with the woodsy warm branches. The branches can get kind of poky, and they sometimes leave messes of broken twigs or leaves when you’re working on them.

PROS
inexpensive
blend nicely with most greenery and flowers
sturdy
nice, full background
easy to secure flowers/greenery/bows to branches

CONS
kinda pokey and messy
typically “rustic” look

DIY Magnolia Wreath - Easy Farmhouse Style

My wreaths that use a grapevine wreath form:
15 Minute Garland Wreath
Farmhouse-Style Magnolia Wreath
Faux Boxwood Wreath

Wire Wreath Form

Wire wreath forms are the most economical way to go, with a nice size available at most Dollar Tree stores for $1. They are usually a dark green, and typically have four wires that run around the circumference of the wreath form, and have a few straight wires that run across the width.

They have a concave/convex shape to them, that can be used either way, depending on the look you’re going for. Traditionally, they’re often used for “live” wreaths, because floral foam can be stuffed and wired into the hollow of the wreath. Wire wreath forms are light and super sturdy, and would definitely hold its shape if dropped.

How to Make a Wreath - wire wreath form

Since wire wreath forms are so bare bones, they can be used for lots of different styles and mediums. Wire wreath forms are what people use to make burlap or deco-mesh wreaths. They can also be used for tie-on styles, like balloons, ribbons or fabric scraps. I use a wire wreath form for my Creepy Black Rose Wreath.

Dollar Tree Halloween Decor DIY

Hot glue doesn’t work so well with wire wreath forms, since there isn’t much surface area for the glue to grab on to. So unless you’re tying or weaving the decor onto the wreath, you’re going to need floral wire to secure it. They also don’t provide much of a background for your flowers or greenery, so you may need extra supplies to fill in the blank spots.

PROS
inexpensive
versatile style
sturdy

CONS
may require extra supplies to fill in the gaps
typically requires floral wire to secure flowers or greenery
doesn’t work well with hot glue

My wreaths that use a wire wreath form:
Creepy Black Rose Wreath

Straw Wreath Forms

The straw wreath form is probably the least commonly used form. It is similar in shape to the foam wreath form, but is definitely more rustic. I used in in my Easy Fall Mum Wreath, because the straw background made sense for the country farm feel of the fall mums. Straw and mums go hand in hand! Straw forms can be used with floral pins or hot glue, and have a little more “give” than a foam form.

How to Make a Wreath - straw wreath form

A word of caution, the straw is wrapped in a cling plastic, so the straw doesn’t make a mess. But if you live in hot and/or humid areas, a straw wreath wrapped in plastic on a hot front door may not be a great idea. I think that moisture can get trapped inside and get gross. Mine attracted a gnat or fruit fly situation, and it was really annoying. This fall, I’m going to try and re-create my Mum Wreath with a different type of form.

PROS
works well with hot glue or floral pins
sturdy

CONS
not commonly used
“country” style, if background is left exposed.
may attract gnats

My wreaths that use a straw wreath form:
Fall Mum Wreath

Hoop Wreaths

The hoop wreath is a fairly recent addition to the wreath frame family. They are often used for macrame projects, but make a beautiful modern wreath. I’ve seen them in brass or steel, and are fairly inexpensive.

There are some limitations with hoop wreaths, because of the thin and slippery nature of the ring. Unless you secure a block of floral foam or cardboard to the ring, there isn’t a whole lot of surface area to work with.

hoop ring wreath

Alternative Wreath Forms

The sky is the limit for what random items can be used as wreath forms or bases. I’ve seen:
Hula Hoops
Garden Hose
Pool Noodles
Picture Frames
Cardboard or wood
Embroidery Hoop
Wire Clothes Hangers

I also have a tutorial on how to make a wreath frame using cardboard. Its super easy and inexpensive. It works well for flat wreaths, like the straw sunburst wreaths or crayon wreaths.

Suggested Supplies:

hot glue gun and glue
floral wire
floral pins

Phew! If you’ve made it to this point, now you know how to make a wreath. You are basically a WREATH MASTER! Welcome to the club! I’d love to see YOUR handmade wreaths and answer any wreath-y questions you have. Feel free to contact me by email ([email protected]) or message me on Instagram (@thehowtomom), and I’ll happily respond!

Happy Wreath Making, friends!!

If you need help with a bow for your wreath, check out my super easy tutorial on how to make a wreath bow. I promise you can whip up a bow, no problem! Once your wreath is done, check out my post all about How to Hang a Wreath – different ways and places to hang your beautiful wreaths!

How to Make a Wreath - The Ultimate Wreath Making Guide!

Make Your Own Beautiful Living Succulent Wreath Centerpiece! Complete video course by Jeannine Romero now available through Skillshare.