Top tip
When foraging, remember good foraging etiquette. Only take small amounts, take common items and not anything rare, and avoid anything you’re not confident what it is. Plant ID apps can be helpful if you’re unsure.
Creating an autumn nature shelf display can be a fairly quick activity, or it can be something you enjoy spending more time on.
If you would like some inspiration, you can search online for autumn shelf display ideas. But, don't worry too much about what other people have done or needing to be 'perfect'. A small display with just a few items can bring plenty of joy.
To find items, you could look in your garden or local neighbourhood, or you could plan a longer walk to collect more. You could take a walk with someone else and collect items together.
You don't need to find everything at once. You could add bits over time.
Autumnal nature items
There are lots of items you can find that would look lovely in a nature shelf display. Here are a few ideas to get you going:
Follow these steps to make your autumn nature shelf display.
1. Find a suitable display space
Lots of places around the home could work for this display. A firmly fixed shelf is ideal, but a fireplace mantle or a section of a dresser or console could also work.
If possible, find a display area that doesn’t get direct heat or sun. If it’s roughly at eye level, it will be easier to create and view your display. If you have small children or pets, you might like to keep the display out of their reach.
2. Decide if you want a theme (optional)
You can create a shelf display with whatever you find and like. Or, if you prefer to have some direction in advance, you could choose a theme, such as:
3. Gather your items
It’s time to head outside and see what you can find! You could take a stroll around your garden, if you have one. Or, you could go to a nearby green space.
You might find it helpful to take a bag or basket to store your finds in. If you are planning to collect plant materials, such as seed heads or rose hips, scissors or secateurs may be needed. Store them safely when not in use.
When foraging, remember good foraging etiquette. Only take small amounts, take common items and not anything rare, and avoid anything you’re not confident what it is. Plant ID apps can be helpful if you’re unsure.
4. Preserve your items (optional)
Once you’ve gathered your items, you can go straight into arranging. Or, if you are happy to take a bit more time, you can do some activities that will preserve some items for longer:
5. Arrange your shelf display
Start by making sure the shelf is clear and clean. Wipe it if needed.
You could add a runner, a long piece of kraft paper, or a tray as a base to display your items on. Or, you can arrange them directly on the shelf.
Gather all your display items. If you would like to include any extra items, gather these too, for example:
You can arrange your display however you like. These are some design tips you might like to consider:
Once you’ve finished, stand back and admire your creation. You’ve made a personal display from your home from what nature offers!
6. Check your display regularly
Return to your display regularly to admire it. It’s also a good idea to check the items for signs of mould or decay.
If any items are going mouldy, you could remove them and replace with fresh ones.
Have you created an autumn nature shelf display? Share your creation with us by sending a photo or message to info@thrive.org.uk
Autumn is an amazing season of change in nature. We explore how we can use each of our five senses to experience even more this autumn.
