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Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

Do you love to go for walks in the fall? I do!

I know many people might think of a favorite store, Pinterest or a blog as their first place to go for home decor ideas, but to me there’s nothing as inspiring and creatively invigorating as simply taking a walk outside. There is so much creativity and beauty to be found in nature. From colors to textures to objects like beautiful branches, pine cones and leaves — it is all so inspiring to me!

Right now when you take a deep breath outside my door, it smells exactly like Christmas trees. That is one of the most awesome things about living in the northwest! We’ve got lots of beautiful trees! And it smells divine.

Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

And as a bonus with all the amazing trees, oftentimes on my walks I find sticks, branches, leaves, pine cones and other natural treasures.

Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

Two years ago I found a branch outside to hang Christmas ornaments on my window. 

Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

This fall in my yard I found some branches with pretty colored leaves to use in a hurricane vase on my mantel.

Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

But THIS WEEK, on a walk on what might have been the most glorious day of Fall so far, I found the motherload of branches on the ground around some trees. Birch branches, moss covered sticks, and small logs.

Needless to say, I was THRILLED to see them.

I may have let out a little squeal of joy and called them my pretties.

I may have picked up so many that my husband had to drive back with the car to bring them all home.

I may have brought home one beautiful branch (not pictured) even taller than my front door (which is pretty tall!).

I was thrilled.

Yep. Now I have BIG plans for branches in my holiday decor.

What are your favorite places to find branches?

Natural Decor: Decorating with Branches

front porch with branches via Pottery Barn

Here is a great inspiration post from a couple of years back with lots of ideas and photos of branches in decor: the most versatile holiday decor!

24 Comments

  1. Sallie

    We have a little park near our house where I walk my sweet doggie every day. It’s always full of nature’s beautiful bounty – loose limbs, pine cones, acorns, rocks, leaf clusters, berries, dried weeds of various kinds. I’m always carting something home to use in our decoration. I’m sure the neighbors get a kick out of watching me juggle branches and bundles of weeds while my dog hauls me down the street! I’m right with you, Melissa! It’s the BEST decorating material! Who can make prettier decorations than the Lord Himself!? My fall mantel is currently displaying some recent finds – oak leaves (still green), some red firebush leaves, and a couple of acorns that look like they’re wearing winter hats! Love it!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      I agree, God is the ultimate creator of decor! You reminded me about some little acorns I found on a walk recently, I need to pull those out. They were so cute, just like you said … they are wearing winter hats! :-)

      Reply
  2. Faith

    I’m with you, Melissa. Nothing is more beautiful than lichen and peeling bark on an old tree branch. Isn’t God’s artistry phenomenal?

    Reply
  3. Diane | An Extraordinary Day

    Melissa…
    Not having access to all the usual goodies in this “in between” stage I’m currently living. I decided I needed to look to nature for my supplies. Armed with a good pruner and some paddle wire and God’s magnificent trove of natural goodies, I was able to create some natural loveliness. You know…I think it’s way more fun and fulfilling than anything a store has to offer. I’m looking forward to seeing what you put together. Have fun!!
    ~Diane

    Reply
  4. Beccy

    I love the photo of the leaves. There is nothing better than kicking your way through a huge pile of autumn leaves as you walk through the park! And the last picture of the Christmas lights in the branches gets me really excited. So pretty and atmospheric…lovely…

    Reply
  5. Linda@Creekside

    You’ve said it well, Melissa! As much as we all love blogging, let’s turn those screens off and head outside for a hike!

    ;0}

    Reply
  6. Laura @ Elegant Nest

    I love using branches…for every season! This year I cut up a fallen white birch tree to use in several ways. It looks so pretty stacked in the fireplace. The only bad news is that I tweaked my back while using the chainsaw…nothing a few dozen trips to the chiropractor wont fix!!

    Reply
    • Melissa @ The Inspired Room

      Oh no! That sounds familiar, I did something to my back recently too but I think it was when I was moving flagstone :-)!

      Reply
  7. kristin m

    I’m with you. I love branches and have been known to haul a fallen tree branch (or even a small tree) into the house for decor. I have curtain rods made of branches and branches standing upright in urns. I much prefer real natural elements to fake ones.

    Reply
  8. Lisa

    The branches look so pretty, and I wouldn’t have thought that by myself. If I came home with a huge branch, I think my husband will have thought I’d gone crazy…haha

    Reply
  9. teresa

    Me too me too =) yes, a walk around the yard or country side! When I get a chance I even plant things in my yard for the soul reason of “growing” a centerpiece. =)
    Love the way you think.
    Happy Day

    Reply
  10. Missy Robinson

    I’m so excited to see what you do with these. I literally live IN THE FOREST outside of Great Smoky Mountain National Park and we have glorious branches EVERYWHERE! I’m looking forward to the ideas!

    Reply
  11. Tanya

    I love that branch above your winder hanging bulbs!! Such a great idea.

    Reply
  12. Shannon [Our Home Notebook]

    I love your collection of birch branches! Can’t wait to see where you put them. So much great texture and coziness for the winter months.

    Reply
  13. Melinda @ love melinda

    I love your natural decor! I love taking walks in the fall as well. Just the other day I was gathering some leaves and pinecones from a yard in the neighborhood. Hope they weren’t watching out the window!

    Reply
  14. Janet Lavine

    So I hate to admit but I paid for fresh birch logs and tall birch branches at our local farm. I always thought that fallen branches would be full of bugs which I didn’t want to bring in my house? Do you spray them first? I keep birch trees branches out all year long. Love them!!!

    Reply
  15. Glenda Childers

    How fun to use what is around you … and it looks beautiful.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Reply
  16. erin @ House Envy

    I love your ornament branch! We have a lot of trees and it always seems like endless branches in our back yard after windy days. They are a great decorating tool. Well done!

    Reply
  17. Joann

    Oh I love the birch tree picture !! We live in the south now and there are no birch trees, and no beautiful fall colors. The photo did bring back memories though of where I grew up in Michigan. Loved those trees . I do have birch logs in my fireplace for decor that I brought back from a trip up north. Thank you for bringing back those memories.

    Reply
  18. Catherine

    Hi There. First I have to say I love your site and “tune in” frequently to your blog.
    I love all the decorating pictures and conversation. Therefore, when I received an advertisement that popped up on your site requesting a “visitor survey”, I wanted to add my positive two cents worth praising your site. I assumed that on your page it was legitmate in regard to your seeking what folks like to see etc. But once I started the survey, it was clear that it was a phishing survey. I stopped it immediately. It was about cars etc. types makes models, what are your preferences in cars etc, household income, , when would you purchase a new car. I don’t know if you are aware of this on your blog or not, and thought I would attempt to contact you in regard to this phishing. I couldn’t find a contact button, only a join the conversation spot. I hope you remove this after you read it as not to bring down the party. Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Kit

    Hello, I have some birch branches from a dying tree we had to cut down and I wanted to decorate indoors with some but I’m not sure if I need to treat the branches for insects/beetles? Please share if you know.
    thanks:)

    Reply

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