Easy and fast fall table place mats perfect to add to
your fall decor. These are so simple to make
and also cost almost next to nothing to make.
September is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about autumn decor. If you like to prepare in advance, making small, budget-friendly projects now gives you one less thing to worry about when the holidays arrive. These fall table place mats are a quick, attractive way to add seasonal color to your dining table without spending a lot of money.
I’m hosting my first Friendsgiving this year, so I want decorations that look thoughtful but won’t break the bank. I searched for autumn placemats online and either found nothing I loved or saw options that were much more expensive than I wanted to pay. The solution? Make my own.
Nothing signals fall like colorful leaves, and fake leaves are both inexpensive and reusable. For the backing I chose felt — it’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and comes in plenty of colors and sizes.
Supplies are minimal: loose artificial leaves, felt pads (or felt circles/squares), and a hot glue gun. I purchased felt pieces for under a dollar each and used dollar-store leaf packs. One of the packs I bought contained many small leaves and fewer large ones, so I used two packs total and still had leftover leaves — which is handy for future projects.
Start in one corner of the felt pad by gluing a large leaf in place. A small dot of hot glue is enough to hold it. Then place a second large leaf in a different color about an inch away and glue it down.
Between those two larger leaves, add a smaller leaf to fill the gap. The goal is to cover as much of the felt edge as possible so the backing doesn’t show through from the table side.
Continue this pattern — one small leaf between two larger leaves — around the entire edge of the felt. Vary the leaf colors so you don’t place identical colors next to each other; this creates a natural, layered look that’s more visually interesting.
Once the perimeter is covered, you’ll have a charming border of leaves around the felt. It already looks lovely, but adding a few inward-facing leaves will complete the look and make the mat feel fuller.
Take some leaves and glue them with the tips pointing inward, opposite the direction of the edge leaves. There’s no strict pattern here — just fill the empty space with a single inner layer of leaves. I tried covering the entire felt surface at one point, but a lighter, single inner layer looked much more balanced and natural.
The result is a quick, attractive fall place mat that adds instant seasonal charm to your table setting. Each mat took under ten minutes to assemble. Make as many as you need by purchasing the appropriate number of felt pads and leaf packs — the supplies are inexpensive enough that replacing a stained mat is no big deal.
These mats work well for casual autumn dinners, Friendsgiving, or any gathering where you want a festive but low-cost table accent. If a guest accidentally spills something like red wine, the affordable cost and speed of making replacements mean you can relax and enjoy the celebration without stressing over cleanup.
Happy crafting — and enjoy your cozy, colorful fall table!
