How to Choose a Fall Wreath for Your Front Door

A fall wreath can completely change the look of your front door, but choosing one isn't just about finding the prettiest wreath on the page.

Size matters. So do your door color, decorating style, weather exposure, and even how long you want to leave the wreath up.

The good news is that you don't need to know anything about wreath design to get it right. Here are the things I look at when helping someone choose a fall wreath for their front door.

1. Start With the Size of Your Door

A beautiful wreath can look surprisingly small once it's hanging on a full-size front door. On the other hand, an oversized wreath can overwhelm a narrow door or interfere with handles, windows, or a storm door.

That's why I recommend measuring first.

Pay attention to the finished size of the wreath, not just the size of the wreath frame underneath all the mesh, ribbon, florals, and decorations.

If you're unsure where to start, our **guide to measuring your door for a wreath** walks you through it.

Have two doors instead of one? Read **how to choose wreaths for double front doors** before deciding on your size.

2. Look at Your Front Door Color

Your wreath doesn't have to match your door.

In fact, a little contrast usually helps a wreath stand out.

A dark door can be a beautiful backdrop for cream, white pumpkins, lighter burlap, sunflowers, or brighter fall colors.

On a white or light-colored door, deeper shades like navy, burgundy, rust, orange, brown, and dark green can create more contrast.

And you definitely don't have to stick with orange just because it's fall.

Fall can include:

Your front door and the colors already around your porch are a better guide than any rule about what fall is supposed to look like.

• Orange and rust
• Burgundy and deep red
• Brown and natural burlap
• Cream and ivory
• Mustard and sunflower yellow
• Navy blue
• Dark green
• Buffalo plaid
• Black accents

3. Decide What Kind of Fall Style You Like

This is where choosing a wreath gets fun.

Two wreaths can both be called "fall wreaths" and look completely different.

You might love the traditional autumn look with orange pumpkins, leaves, scarecrows, sunflowers, and warm colors.

Or maybe your home leans farmhouse, and you'd rather have burlap, buffalo plaid, cotton, neutral pumpkins, and softer colors.

Some people want something big and whimsical that immediately gets your attention. Others want something a little more understated.

Take a look at the area around your front door. Your wreath doesn't have to perfectly match everything, but it should feel like it belongs there.

You can browse our **handmade fall wreath collection** to see how different colors and styles come together in finished designs.

4. Think About How Long You Want to Leave It Up

This is something that's easy to overlook when you're shopping.

Do you want one fall wreath for the entire season, or do you plan to change your wreath for Halloween and Thanksgiving?

If you want one wreath to carry you from September through November, I'd choose a design that isn't tied too closely to one holiday.

Pumpkins, sunflowers, pinecones, autumn ribbon, scarecrows, leaves, and general fall messages can work throughout the season.

A Halloween wreath covered in ghosts and spiders is a lot of fun, but obviously has a shorter decorating window.

Neither approach is better.

I love changing decorations throughout the season, but I also understand wanting to hang one beautiful wreath and leave it there until Christmas.

If you're wondering when it's time to start decorating, we covered that in **When Should You Put Up a Fall Wreath?**.

5. Consider How Much Weather Your Door Gets

Where your wreath will hang matters almost as much as how it looks.

A deeply covered porch is very different from a door that gets hours of direct afternoon sunlight or blowing rain.

Here in Texas, the calendar may say fall while the front porch still feels like summer.

Strong sunlight can fade decorative materials over time. Heat, moisture, and wind can also be hard on outdoor décor.

If your front door gets a lot of direct sunlight, read our **practical tips for protecting a wreath from the sun**.

For an exposed porch, our guide to **keeping a wreath secure on a windy porch** is worth reading too.

A little protection can make a big difference in how your wreath looks throughout the season.

6. Don't Forget About a Storm Door

If you have a storm door, check how much room you have between it and your main door before buying a thick wreath.

Some handmade wreaths are intentionally full and dimensional. That's beautiful on an open front door, but it can create problems if you're trying to fit the wreath into a narrow space.

Measure the available depth as well as the width and height.

Our guide on **how to hang a wreath on a storm door without damage**covers some additional things you'll want to consider.

7. Look at the Details

When you're shopping for a wreath online, zoom in on the photos.

Look at the ribbon, mesh, florals, signs, pumpkins, bows, and other decorations. Look at how full the wreath is and how those pieces work together.

Also look at the wreath from more than one angle when photos are available. A full handmade wreath has depth that isn't always obvious from one straight-on picture.

Those little details are a big part of what you're buying.

A wreath isn't just something hanging on the door. It's often one of the first things someone notices when they walk up to your home.

And you'll probably see it even more often than your guests do.

Choose something that makes you smile when you pull into the driveway.

What Kind of Fall Wreath Is Best?

There isn't one fall wreath that's best for every front door.

The best one for your home is a wreath that:

That's a much better way to choose than worrying about whether you're following every decorating trend.

• Fits your door properly
• Stands out against your door color
• Fits your decorating style
• Works with your porch and weather exposure
• Can stay up for as much of the season as you want
• And, most importantly, is something you actually love looking at

Find a Fall Wreath That Feels Like Your Home

At RussellWreaths, our fall collection includes handmade designs with pumpkins, sunflowers, scarecrows, deco mesh, farmhouse details, seasonal ribbon, and colors that go well beyond traditional orange.

Some are playful. Some are rustic. Some are big statement pieces.

That's intentional.

Your front door doesn't look exactly like everyone else's, and your wreath doesn't have to either.

**Shop Handmade Fall Wreaths →**

Choose the one that looks like it belongs on your front door.