10 Minute Fall Dough Bowl Arrangement

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

Let’s make a fall dough bowl arrangement! Once in a while, you learn a decorating trick that truly changes the way you decorate and makes your life so easy in the process! Just one little discovery! So today, I’m sharing that trick along with a very easy way to style a fall dough bowl. Beautiful!

A Little Fall Decorating Story

Here’s my before and after story…

I used to drag big plastic bins up from the basement each season and holiday. What a chore!

Can anyone relate?

Then I’d forage the depth of these big bins, looking for the least tired decor to decorate my home. It was physically and mentally exhausting! Still relating?

Now, I’m taking an organic, less-is-more, don’t-kill-yourself decorating approach to all seasons and holidays. I use lots of what I call “naturals”!Anything that is organic or faux organic that is associated with the season.

And this fall is no different! This fall, I’m using lots of pumpkins, gourds, acorns, and mini Indian corn.

Here’s how I put together a great fall arrangement in about 10 minutes, and you can do this, too!

And I’m sharing one simple thing that will change the way you style arrangements in your home!

If you have those seasonal decor big boxes and bins down in the basement or up in your attic, forget about them! Let’s make fall about natural beauty and bounty and easy!!!

What You Need

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

This is such an easy and simple arrangement to put together, and it is brimming over with fall beauty!

I used real pumpkins and mini Indian corn, but you can use what you have at your home!

I have lots and lots of pictures to show you a step-by-step, hand-holding tutorial! It’s my goal to make it no-fail!

Here’s what you will need.

One of my best tips to help you in your fall decorating is to collect everything and keep it in a box, bin, or, like me, a basket.

I have all kinds of goodies in my basket so that I can make several arrangements without making many trips to the basement to find things!

BASKET OF FALL NATURAL ELEMENTS

Here’s what I used for this arrangement:

  • mini orange pumpkins
  • white baby boo pumpkins
  • mini Indian corn
  • pinecones
  • faux acorns
  • wooden bowl… You can use any bowl, just make sure it is wide and shallow. I’ve made arrangements in soup bowls and put them on cake stands. See, just use what you have!

Let’s get busy!!!

How To Create A Dough Bowl Centerpiece

Start With A Wooden Dough Bowl

I used my old round wooden dough bowl for this easy fall arrangement. It’s perfectly worn and has seen decades of use. The older this bowl gets, the more beautiful it becomes! It might look a little too worn, but wait until we work our decor magic! I bet you can find something that will work great for you, too!

ROUND DOUGH BOWL

The Big Tip…

Here’s the one tip that will really help you with this arrangement!

ADD PINECONES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BOWL

Yes, doing this one thing will…

  • Add a base to your arrangement.
  • Fill the bottom of the bowl so you don’t use lots of extra decor that doesn’t get seen.
  • Take up lots of space.
  • Pinecones are sturdy and can handle heavy items on top of them.
  • Make it easy to put things in place, so they stay where you put them.

Use this tip with any arrangement! This will change the way you style every arrangement you create!

How To Create A Dough Bowl Arrangement

Add enough pinecones to fill the bowl about 1/2 full. If you want your arrangement to smell scrumptious, use cinnamon-scented pine cones!

Make this easy and pretty fall dough bowl! Step-by-step directions and lots of ideas and tips. #fall, #fallhomedecor #falldiy #falldecorations #falldecor #pumpkins #indiancorn #fallgourds

I started by adding the mini Indian corn to the bowl first, fanning out the husks before they went into the dough bowl.

Another tip…If, for some reason, the husks pop off, just stick them back on with a dab of hot glue!

After the pinecones were in the base of the bowl, I added 3 Indian corn ears on the side of the bowl resting on the pinecones.

The white pumpkin is just weighing down the pinecones so they don’t shift. It will be taken out later.

On a side note… store Indian Corn in plastic shoe-type boxes from year to year. My corn must be a decade old! Just make sure the box is plastic, and the lid is secure. No mice, thank you!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

I added 2 mini Indian corns to the other side of the bowl using the same technique above.

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

Next, I added 2 anchor elements opposite the mini corn.

I used an orange pumpkin and a small yellow gourd. I rested them on top of the pinecone filler.

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

So I have decorative elements at 12-3-6 and 9 if the bowl was a clock.

The heavy element came next. I added one big gourd to the center of the dough bowl arrangement on the very top.

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

After the big gourd, I added a couple white baby boo pumpkins.

Here’s another tip… try to fill in the gaps and holes.

Can you see the dough bow arrangement starting to take shape!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

I continued to add pumpkins and pinecones to fill the arrangement to overflowing! I love to use pinecones in fall decor! Who says they are Christmassy?

Here’s where you can layer things! I made sure my pumpkins were facing in a direction that was becoming to the arrangement. There were still some gaps in my fall arrangement, so the next thing I did was fill them in.

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

To finish this fall arrangement, I filled your big gaps with what I like to call fluff.

Fluff is any fluffy, frilly leave, or other organics, real or faux. I added faux boxwood in any holes in the arrangement and around the edges of it to soften it!

Oh, I love love love fluff! It really takes arrangements to the next level! I’m using small clumps of green leaves and berries that I plucked off of a swag.

I have a few boxes of fluff. It makes any arrangement amazing! It is a decorating must!

Look at the difference fluff makes!!!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

I had some faux acorns that I added at the very end of the arrangement.

The smaller the element, the later it goes on to the arrangement. I placed the acorns here and there like they fell off a tree and just happened to land perfectly!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

Pretty!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

With just a little practice, you can put together a beautiful and bountiful fall arrangement in under 10 minutes!

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

Now, let’s get some fall organics and make a pretty arrangement! And let’s NOT drag around any big bins with fall decor in it!

OTHER FALL POSTS YOU WILL LOVE!

from left clockwise

EASY 5 MINUTE PUMPKIN ARRANGEMENT

SO SWEET PUMPKIN CANDLE DIY

HOW TO GUILD A PUMPKIN

MINI SUCULENT TOPPED PUMPKINS DIY

A FALL INSPIRED DOUGH BOWL ARRANGEMENT

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52 Comments

  1. Thanks for sharing those good tips for arranging a Fall bowl! Hey, I saw “your” magazine this week and bought a copy…can’t wait to have a few minutes to read every word and take in every picture of yours in “Decorating Shortcuts”.

    1. From where have you bought?

      1. I’m not sure. Another reader said I was in a Christmas magazine. I did not hear about it, yet.

  2. Good Morning, Yvonne! Thanks for the great ideas. I especially love the “fluffing” idea….genius! That is just what bowls of fall (or Christmas!) need to soften them! Never thought of that! Thanks for always inspiring me to take my decorating a step further!

  3. I just love your arrangements! These are great tips on how to create a beautiful focal piece. I pulled my fall box out of the attic and saw that I have a lot of “tired” fluff. I need to purge so I can attempt to put together something pretty for the table ;-). Thanks for inspiring me!
    Blessings,
    Nici

  4. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips and photos Yvonne, your fall arrangement is gorgeous! I too have been getting rid of the bins, all that “stuff” had been making decorating feel overwhelming and not enjoyable. This year I am keeping things simple and having more fun with the holiday decor. Happy fall!

  5. Karen VanLoo says:

    I love this, I’ve decided to downsize my Halloween collectibles this year. I’ll keep my ones that I truly love (vintage-style), but want to decorate with more simple, natural elements this year. I love your idea for storing/keeping Indian corn because I always thought you had to throw them out. Now I can keep them and re-use every year. Thanks for that tip, especially “fluffing” out the ends of the Indian corn. This arrangement is absolutely gorgeous! Have a fabulous day!

  6. 5 minutes to decorate sounds good to me! Love how you kept this simple but beautiful all at the same time. Everything you touch turns to gold, Yvonne. You definitely have a gift for decorating and an eye for what looks right. Thanks for the inspiration!

  7. Thank you for the step-by-step. I tried a fall arrangement with my round wooden bowl last year, and it just fell flat. This year’s will be great with your instructions.

  8. I love how you add a little this and a little that and you get BEAUTIFUL in just minutes!

  9. Linda Kemp says:

    Amazing what you can do in such a short period of time. Thank you for the inspoiration!

  10. How did I miss this on your pinterest page? I can’t see it to PIn but I’ll try again. I may have to add a bit of fluff to my giant arrangement of tiered gourds and pumpkins. Pinecones are hard for me to get so don’t have so many to play with. I may improvise with what I’ve got and show you. Love this. Did eliminate more junk. But then got inspired by a wreath so pulled the long narrow leaves from goodwill pile and made a type of mirror hanging I will spray paint now. I think your enthusiasm keeps me from feeling silly creating

  11. Oh, Yvonne…there aren’t enough words for me to describe how your home and decor and gorgeous photos make me swoon!
    JP

  12. Jan Duston says:

    Just Beautiful- Ben doing this for years-BUT forgot the “fluff”, and the pinecones. Can’t wait to put it out-

  13. i’ve been trying to take a “less is more” approach too yvonne…a few years ago i started storing all like-type items in a clear bin with “Fall” taped to all four sides (so my husband can CLEARLY see what bin to retrieve!) and sometimes I’ve added a few pictures in the bin showing how I used the items so I can refer to it from year to year. however, i need to take a hint from you and get rid of a lot of items as i don’t use near as many things to decorate with as i have in years past.

    thank you for sharing all your great ideas and photos!

  14. Kathleen G says:

    A bowl full of Fall goodness! I’ve too, streamlined my seasonal decor. More meaningful to have what people have made or given me through the years. Kathleen in Az

  15. You are so talented. I am so happy I found your blog. Thank you for sharing your wonderful ideas and your beautiful home. You have created a wonderful oasis for your family.

  16. You have such a talented way of making everything look doable. One of the many reasons I love you and your blog! This is one of my favorites!

    Thank you so much for stopping by…you raise the bar for great blogggers!

    Jane xx

  17. Perfect! I need to get me some “fluff”!! Looking forward to your tour!~~Angela

  18. Botanic Bleu says:

    Yvonne,
    A beautiful fall arrangement with clear, concise excellent directions for how to recreate a similar arrangement. Thank you for your inspirational decor and for your generosity in sharing how you do it. I learned several things to help me with my own arrangements.

    Judith

  19. Very pretty! Thanks for the step by step directions! Now, to go round up what I have and make my own!

  20. I am a former member of the seasonal tote(s) club…oh my the mental and physical challenges they presented. There was a time when I didn’t label the totes, knowing I could surely remember which one had fall, then I realized I needed the labels. Then the storage was a problem as most of them were up above in the pole barn…no way I could retrieve them so I would wait until my husband could assist. A couple years ago I decided enough of that foolishness and I started to go natural and I am now a more relaxed and happy lady! I love your blog Yvonne and have tried many recipes with success! Your decorating is my style and I love it! Thanks so much for all the inspiration you provide me! Have a blessed day!

  21. I pretty much had on hand all the items you used in your wood bowl (except for the mini Indian corn). I followed your simple steps and it came out beautifully! Will try to send you a photo to see mine centerpiece. Thanks for all your great inspiration! Love your style and your sweet heart!

  22. Gorgeous arrangement!!! With dough bowls seeming to ruse in popularity this year, I pulled out my grandmother’s oval dough bowl & filled it with very similar items – having zero design ability or instinct, it took me a lot longer than 5 minutes tho. One Question? When using “real” pumpkins & gourds, how do you store them from year to year? Thanks!

  23. I loved this “how to make it” approach to decorating! I have a hard time making things look not so “home-made” and your tutorial pics really help me to get just the right items and put them together successfully! You always have beautiful thins on your blog! Thanks for writing it!

  24. Have always loved to use nature in my decorating but still seem to have acquired too many of those plastic bins labeled fall,Christmas spring etc. Have promised myself to reduce this madness!! You seem to be reading my mind lately. Love the idea using pine cones for support and structure. Have already put them to use with an Apple and pear arrangement. Works wonderfully. Thanks

  25. Phyllis Piontkowski says:

    That was a very beautiful arrangement. I would like the corn to show more in the display; but, still it was beautiful. I have a wooden bowl so I may try this one. Thanks for all the info you give us. I am going to the Sugar Shack Country Candles new store & candle factory next weekend in Edgar NE to their Awesome Autumn Market and I know I’ll find some good Autumn finds. Love their candles. They light up my life with fragrance.

  26. Lisa Bates says:

    So simple, yet stunning!! Wish the weather would cool down so I can get into the fall spirit!! :0)

  27. As I get older, I still want to do special things in the house. Now this super fast fall design will help so much without bringing too many things out. Thanks for a great and quick idea. I love all your designs but of course, I must limit which ones to do.

  28. this is beautiful. i’m going to try to make it. i hope it turns out even close to yours. thanks for sharing. 🙂

  29. Love these because you can take it all out and never actually get the same look. I have the grand kids gather stuff the yard and that even make it more special

  30. Thanks for all the great ideas!

  31. Kathy Robers says:

    I loved your wood bowl centerpiece; and in spite of my scepticism that “anyone can do it,” I decided to click on it to see the directions. I was thrilled to discover that your directions with pics were SO simplified that, indeed, even I could follow them. I’m so excited. All the while, while reading your blog, in the back of my mind, I kept thinking, “Stone Gable…that name sounds familiar.”. Then it came to me. I’m quite certain you and my sister-in-law, blog queen of Worthing Court, share links. I think you have even gone to blogger conferences together. Small world!!!! Anyway, I lived this instructional blog. Thank you for sharing!

  32. Audrey L. Ulmer says:

    LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE all your ideas~

  33. I just love all your fall ideas today. The fall arrangements are soooo pretty.
    I always look forward to your blog each day ,especially on Sunday.Thanks so much.

  34. Janet Schavnis says:

    Where can I find a big wooden bowl like the one you use with your decorating?