Bring the forest into your home: 10 great ideas for decorating the home using pine cones

Walking through the woods, we often come across pine cones: there are those who just walk on, and then, there are those who collect them. Excellent as firelighters, pine cones can also be transformed into a wonderful, decorative elements for our homes. There are so many projects that can be attempted: in an instant, your home can become more beautiful, warm and welcoming. And if you have collected too many pine cones, remember that they can also be turned into fantastic gift ideas!

Here are 10 ideas to turn your pine cones into something truly unique and special.

1. Door wreaths

The first, simple idea is to make a wreath for your front door. You can make this in many ways and with many different materials. For example, you can glue the pine cones to a base of cardboard or polystyrene or woven flexible wood, add sprigs and evergreen berries, ribbons, bows and beads. You can leave them natural, spray them with fake snow or paint them however you like (depending on the season, of course).

2. Wind-catcher

Not sure how to decorate your outdoor spaces? A wonderful and very unique idea for balconies, terraces and gardens is the wind-catcher: pine cones are among the many materials you can use to make one of these.

3. Elves

What could be better for your Christmas decorations than Santa's elves? Making them using pine cones and felt is child's play! You can also make a miniature Santa Claus village with elves, reindeer, snowmen and Santa himself - all made with pine cones!

4. Hanging decorations

All you need is some string, a few pine cones, sprigs of greenery or dried fruit to make a wonderfully fragrant hanging decoration. And if you add flowers instead of dried fruit, this decoration can be used in spring!

5. Christmas birds

Isn't this little bird perched on the Christmas tree wonderful? Making it is very simple using a pine cone, feathers and some small buttons or beads.

6. Table centerpiece

Another great idea is to make a centerpiece using pine cones placed on a tray or in a bowl with low edges and then embellish it with spray snow, candles, sprigs of greenery and flowers.

7. Candy canes

If you're bored with the classic, round wreath, why not make a candy cane? Make it by gluing pine cones together in the shape of a candy cane and decorate it with bows, pine needles and berries.

8. Bowls

For those who like decorations one can use, you can make a bowl from pine cones. These are very useful as pocket-emptiers, as a centerpiece, a flower pot or to hold whatever knick-knacks you want.

9. Christmas trees

Let's not forget one of the great classics for the use of pine cones: to make a Christmas tree. Make it by gluing pine cones to form tree shape and decorate it with glitter, spray snow, beads, bows and with a gold or silver star on top. If you prefer a mini-sized tree, a single pine cone will be sufficient: just glue it on a cork base and decorate it with beads and a small, colored cardboard star on top.

10. Artworks

Finally, we leave you with an idea for  creative minds that are open to experimentation: a painting that includes pieces of pine cones. Give free rein to your creative side and have fun playing with the different materials and colors on a blank canvas: it will certainly be a Christmas masterpiece!

Have you chosen your pine cone project yet?