From Harvest to Holidays: A Seasonal Arrangement How-To

Written by LeAnne Samuelson

Senior Floral Design Expert & Writer

Nothing sets the tone for the season quite like a gorgeous centerpiece or entryway arrangement. This DIY is all about cozy autumnal beauty with artificial pomegranate branches, real touch roses, and classic fall leaves. The best part? With just a few swaps, this arrangement easily turns it from fall to holiday, so you get more out of your floral design.

Faux botanicals are especially helpful when it comes to creating seasonal designs. You don't have to worry about caring for your botanicals other than a gentle dusting here and there! There is no wilting blooms, no water to change, and you can reshape or reuse them season after season, year after year! Think of this botanical arrangement as an investment piece for your seasonal decorating, one that can be used for fall, for every day to fall, or even for every season with just a few tweaks.

This fake floral how-to is perfect for dining table centerpieces, entryway console tables, or even a coffee table focal point. A large vase overflowing with foliage can feel perfectly dramatic on a dining table, while a smaller, more compact version of this display can bring a welcoming touch to your front entryway or even cozy up a mantel display or end table.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

2-3 Fall Maple Leaf Leaf Stems
3-4 Faux Pomegranate Fruit Branches
5-6 Sunset or Dusty Peach Real Touch Roses
3–4 Artificial Magnolia Foliage Stems
Ceramic or Wooden Vase

HOW TO CREATE

STEP 1: START WITH MAPLE LEAF FOLIAGE

Start by placing a few maple leaf stems into your vase. 2-3 should do the trick! Clip the stems with wire cutters or bend them to fit in and slightly cascade over the sides of your container. These faux maple leaves create a festive, textured base and establish the overall shape or your arrangement.

Tip: Don’t worry about perfection, let some pieces arch out or downward for a natural, organic feel. Think of this step as “sketching” with foliage. The maple leaves bring structure and warm autumn colors that look like the shifting colors outside. Adjust your angles and wired stems until you’re happy with it, this simple yet effective step sets the foundation for everything else.

Fall Floral Arrangement with Red Maple Leaves

STEP 2: ADD IN POMEGRANATE (OR FRUIT BRANCHES OF CHOICE)

Next, let's add some artificial pomegranate branches. These fake fruits will provide a little height and a lot of interest to your centerpiece. Place two branches next to the maple leafs, and 1-2 upright in the center, angling outward to create flow and dimension. If you want to mix things up, fig or apple branches can be used in place of the artificial pomegranates.

Fruit branches are a secret weapon in faux arrangements because they add an unexpected quality and conversation piece. The pomegranates in particular bring a stunning jewel tone to arrangements that feel seasonal without being too overdone. Let them peek out at different levels, some higher, some draping lower, get creative!

Autumn Floral DIY with Fall Leaves and Artificial Pomegranate

STEP 3: TUCK IN REAL TOUCH ROSES

Now for the soft, more romantic touch, your real touch sunset roses. With blooms about 3.5 inches wide and lighter in color that the pomegranates and faux maple leaves, these botanical masterpieces stand out beautifully. Use them in odd numbers (3, 5, or 7 always works best but for this creation, we actually used to 6!), and add them to fill in spaces that need balance or a brighter pop of color. This is where the magic happens. The sunset or dusty peach tones of the fake roses pair perfectly with autumn colors while still feeling light and fresh. Think of the roses as the “breath” in your floral arrangement, these are the detail that makes the eye pause and appreciate the softness amid all the texture and richness.

Real Touch Roses in a Fall Fake Flower Arrangement

STEP 4: FINISH WITH MAGNOLIA LEAVES (OPTIONAL)

For a bit of a fuller look and a touch of added greenery, feel free to tuck in a few magnolia leaves at the end. Their broad green leaves contrast beautifully with the rich red-orange maple leaves and softer roses. Use them sparingly or generously, depending on how abundant you’d like your arrangement to feel!

Adding Artificial Greenery Magnolia Leaves to Floral Design

OTHER DESIGNING OPTIONS

One of the best things about working with faux botanicals is how truly versatile they are. If you don’t have these exact stems on hand, you can still create a similar look with what you already own. Additionally, here are some other fun alternatives to play around with.

Swap in other everyday greenery: Try other every day artificial greenery like eucalyptus, olive branches, or even ferns if your base or filler foliage (maple or magnolia leaves) aren’t available or your favorite.
Spray paint for a festive vibe: Take your new stems, or older botanicals you may already have on hand and give them new life with a quick coat or dusting of metallic spray paint in gold, copper, or even a rich brown. This instantly adds a holiday-ready shimmer or a late fall vibe to your arrangement.
Add a dramatic accent: For an even bolder twist, tuck in dried elements like pampas grass or add flair with faux willow branches. These options bring height and, you guessed it, drama, and give your arrangement that one-of-a-kind look!

By mixing, matching, and getting creative you can keep your botanical centerpiece new each season without starting over from scratch!

WATCH THE VIDEO TUTORIAL:

FROM EVERYDAY TO HOLIDAY (& A FEW STYLING TIPS)!

For a smooth holiday transition, simply remove the sunset roses and maple leaves after Thanksgiving. Replace them with other permanent botanicals like:

White real touch roses for a winter wonderful vibe.
Artificial cedar stems to transform the greenery from fall to winter.
Faux berries in shades that match your holiday palette! Imagine deep red for classic holiday, frosted white for a snowy theme, or pink for a candy land Christmas!

This simple swap allows you to repurpose most of your arrangement without starting all over again. The change from autumn tones to crisp winter whites (or greens!) instantly changes the feel of the design, ready for the next season!

If you’d like to go one step further, you can also add ornamental touches like mini pinecones, gold accents or berries, or even ribbon curled and tucked among your faux stems for extra holiday cheer. For a more subtle holiday look, keep it simple with evergreens and neutral-colored berries, allowing the pomegranates to provide that rich, jewel-toned anchor.

By keeping the pomegranate branches and magnolia leaves in place, your arrangement has a strong base that transforms easily to the winter season. It’s a smart, budget-friendly way to stretch your decorations across months while still keeping it looking new, festive, and tailored to your own personal holiday style.

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This arrangement is meant to inspire you, not to limit you! Feel free to use more or fewer stems depending on your space, budget, and unique style. An artificial pomegranate branch paired with a single maple leaf stem in a tall vase can look just as stunning as the full arrangement above.

The beauty of artificial botanicals is that they’re endlessly flexible. Whether you go bold and abundant with your styling or keep things simple, the key is to enjoy the process and let the arrangement reflect your personality. With a few versatile stems and a little imagination, you’ll have a centerpiece that carries you from crisp autumn days straight into the glow of the holiday season.

For more "fresh" takes on fall styling, check out some unique florals and greenery and some tips on arranging them here.