Walk down any street in October and the doors are mostly orange: foam pumpkins, plastic spiders, a witch's hat on a hook. A black wreath stands out simply because it's quieter.
This one is made from a grapevine base, twigs painted matte black and dried magnolia leaves with their copper undersides turned out. It takes an afternoon, costs less than a store wreath, and with a ribbon swap it stays up until Thanksgiving.
Supplies
- A 16 or 18 inch grapevine wreath base
- A bundle of thin twigs or birch branches, about 12 to 18 inches long
- Matte black spray paint or chalk paint
- About 15 dried magnolia leaves
- Floral wire and wire cutters
- A hot glue gun
- 2 yards of black velvet ribbon, 1.5 to 2 inches wide
Collect the twigs yourself if you can. Look for ones with small forks and curves; perfectly straight sticks look stiff.
Step 1: Paint the base and twigs
Lay everything on a drop cloth outdoors. Spray the grapevine base and the twigs matte black, turning them once to cover all sides. Two light coats are better than one heavy one. Let them dry for an hour.
Matte is the key. Gloss black looks like plastic.
Step 2: Add the twigs
Tuck the twigs into the grapevine base, all angled in the same direction around the circle, like hands on a clock. Let some stick out past the edge by 3 or 4 inches so the outline looks wild rather than neat. Secure each with a short twist of floral wire.
Step 3: Add the magnolia leaves
Magnolia leaves are glossy dark green on top and a soft copper brown underneath. Use mostly the copper side facing out. Glue them in small clusters of three at the base of the twigs, concentrating them on the lower left of the wreath. An asymmetric wreath looks more natural and more modern.
Step 4: The ribbon
Tie the black velvet ribbon in a loose knot at the top, or hang the wreath from a long ribbon looped over the top of the door. Let the tails fall long and cut them at an angle.
Hanging it
Hang the wreath slightly higher than feels right. It should sit with its center a little above eye level, roughly 60 to 66 inches from the floor. Most people hang wreaths too low, and they end up looking like a doormat on the door.
Use an over-the-door hook or a removable adhesive hook on the inside of the door with the ribbon looped over the top.
Keeping it through November
On November 1st, swap the black ribbon for a rust or olive velvet one and tuck in a few stems of dried wheat. The black branches then read as dramatic fall rather than Halloween, and the wreath stays up until Thanksgiving.
Weatherproofing
If the door isn't covered, spray the finished wreath with a clear matte sealer to protect the magnolia leaves from rain. They'll still fade a little in direct sun. Store it in a box with tissue paper and it'll be ready next year.
Choosing a door color
A black wreath works on almost every door, but it looks best on deep green, oxblood, navy or natural wood. On a black door, it disappears, so switch to copper-side magnolia leaves only and add a cream ribbon. On a white door, it's at its most dramatic.
Mistakes to avoid
- Gloss paint. It looks cheap.
- A perfectly round outline. Let the twigs stick out.
- Hanging it too low. Center it slightly above eye level.
- Adding plastic spiders. The branches already do the work.
What it costs
A grapevine base is $8 to $15. Spray paint is about $8, dried magnolia leaves $10 to $15, and velvet ribbon $6 to $10. The whole wreath comes in around $35 to $45, and the twigs are free.
Black Halloween wreath FAQ
What can I use to make a Halloween wreath?
A grapevine base, painted twigs and dried leaves make a natural looking wreath. Magnolia leaves add copper color and hold up well.
How do I make a wreath look spooky but stylish?
Stick to matte black and one natural accent color, keep it asymmetric, and skip the plastic props.
Can I use the same wreath for fall?
Yes. Change the ribbon to rust or olive and add dried wheat after Halloween.
