Grayson West
Did you know that pine cones, also known as conifer cones, are the seed-bearing structures found on gymnosperm plants? They can be super useful in homes and gardens. With a bit of creativity, you can even use them in various ways to enhance the beauty of your home and garden! Check out these 15 fun and creative ways to use pine cones as decor for inspiration.
Protecting Potted Plants
Jessica Lewis thepaintedsquare/Pexels
Pine cones can be placed around the base of potted plants to protect them. This will prevent pets, such as dogs and cats, from digging out your potted plants, as the cones will shield the soil. It also prevents pests, like snails, from eating plants in your garden, as they will find it hard to crawl through.
Seasonal Wreaths
If you want to get creative, create a stunning pine cone wreath for your front door or focal wall. Once ready to do this, gather cones and a wreath base, and get some hot glue. Take your time making the wreath with what you have. Then, add accents like ribbons or ornaments to match the season.
Rustic Table Centerpieces
For a cozy and inviting centerpiece, arrange pine cones on a tray with candles, greenery, or seasonal fruits. Spray-paint the cones in gold or silver to match the festive season. This is a great way to decorate your living room or bedroom, as it blends with other interior decorations.
DIY Fire Starters
Pine cones make excellent fire starters for fireplaces or campfires. To beautify them, simply dip them in wax and place them near your fireplace. However, when collecting pine cones for this purpose, make sure you get dry ones. Rubbing wax at the tip of these cones will make the fire burn longer before it quenches.
Festive Garlands
During festive seasons like Halloween or Christmas, people use pine cones as garlands. Stringing these cones together with twine or ribbon creates a simple and rustic garland to drape over mantles, railings, staircases, or doorways. You can also paint the conifer cones so they glitter and beautify the garlands.
Bird Feeders
If you have peanut butter, spread it around a pine cone and then add bird seeds. Once you’ve finished, hang the cone in your garden to attract birds and enhance your outdoor décor. Using these conifer cones to decorate your garden will not only look fabulous but will also help feed the birds, which is fantastic.
Seasonal Ornaments
Want to add a touch of elegance to your home? Consider these as ornaments! You can pick a few conifer cones to paint and decorate during festive seasons like Easter or Halloween. On holidays, you can hang these glittering pieces as ornaments to add freshness to your living room and bedrooms.
Scented Potpourri Fillers
Potpourri is a mixture of spices and dried petals packed in a bowl to perfume a room. You can add pine cones to a decorative bowl of dried flowers and herbs as air fresheners for your living room. Additionally, essential oils can be added to the cones to keep the scent fresh and the atmosphere cozy, in your home.
Organic Garden Mulch
Pine cones work great as organic manure for gardens because they decompose slowly. So, if you own conifer cones, you can break them into smaller pieces and use them as mulch in your garden. Garden manure helps retain moisture and provides a rustic appearance to flower beds.
Pathway Edgings & Garden Markers
Line pathways or garden beds with pine cones to create a natural border. This method will give the garden a rustic look while keeping walkways clear. You can also use conifer cones as garden markers to easily identify and track where each plant is growing in your garden.
Event Card Holders
If you enjoy organizing events and like to add an elegant touch to your decorations, consider using pine cones. They can hold greeting cards or name tags and be decorated to match the tables at your event. It’s a simple idea to put into action!
Decorative Bowls & Jars
When beautifying homes and gardens, you can fill glass jars or bowls with pine cones and place them on shelves, tables, or kitchen counters for simple yet beautiful accents. While this might look basic, it’s a lovely way to make your home attractive. Also, this method doesn’t require much effort.
Candle Holders
The oval shape of these cones makes them useful as a base for lighting candles. All you need to do is glue the candle onto a large pine cone of your choice. Then, you can place them in the corner of your home that you want to light up. If done correctly, they can become your rustic and nature-inspired candle holders.
Terrarium Accents
Consider using pine cones as terrarium decorations in your home and garden if you have a fondness for woody accents. Small conifer cones, succulents, or moss can be added to your terrariums, giving them a natural, earthy feel. Terrariums can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Critters For Kids
Pine cones offer countless ways to beautify your home, and they can also be used as toys for kids. If you have children, you can get creative with these by crafting critters out of them. This activity will allow your kids to showcase their creativity as they make critters like hedgehogs.