Burlap Christmas Decor: 16 Rustic Farmhouse Ideas That Look Way More Expensive Than They Are
Burlap Christmas decor is the easiest way to get that cozy farmhouse look, and one cheap roll of fabric can dress your tree, your mantel and your table. Store bought rustic pieces often cost $30 to $60 each, yet a full roll of burlap from the craft aisle runs about $10. Lately, videos showing how to turn plain burlap into rustic decor keep popping up everywhere, and it is easy to see why. The rough weave looks warm next to fresh pine, red buffalo check and white wood. Below are 16 ideas, from a ruffle wreath for the front door to a lined bread basket for Christmas dinner. Each one comes with a short supply list and three easy steps, and most need only scissors, twine and a glue gun. Grab a roll, clear the kitchen table and let’s make your home look like a country boutique..
Burlap Christmas Decor Starts on the Tree
Want to know the fastest way to make a plain tree look like a farmhouse showpiece? Wrap it in wide burlap ribbon. This is the heart of all burlap Christmas decor: loose swags of ribbon from top to bottom, a big bow on top and a ruffled skirt below. Add red and white buffalo check rounds and the tree looks rich and full. Tuck brown paper gifts underneath to finish the scene. For more ideas in the same cozy style, browse our farmhouse Christmas decor gallery. Once you see how easy this is, you will want to swipe through every idea below..
You will need: One roll of wired burlap ribbon about 5 inches wide, red and white check ornaments, floral wire, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Start at the top and tuck the ribbon deep into the branches, letting it swag loosely every 12 inches as you wind down. 2. Make a large four loop bow, wire the center and attach it to the top with long tails trailing down. 3. Hang the check ornaments in the open spaces between the swags.
Ruffle Wreath for the Front Door
A ruffle wreath is the classic burlap project, and it looks far more expensive than it is. You simply push folded loops of fabric between the wires of a cheap wreath frame. The more loops you add, the fuller and fluffier it gets. A small red check bow at the bottom adds a cheerful pop of color against a white door. It takes about an hour while you watch a movie, and it is the piece of burlap Christmas decor guests notice first. See more front door looks in our Christmas wreaths roundup.
You will need: A 14 inch wire wreath frame, one roll of 6 inch burlap ribbon, a small red check bow, floral wire, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Tuck the end of the ribbon through the frame and push a 3 inch loop up between the wires. 2. Keep making loops close together, working around each ring of the frame until it is full. 3. Wire the bow at the bottom and add a loop of wire on the back for hanging.
Runner With Red Check Edging
A burlap runner is one of the simplest ways to dress a dinner table for weeks. Cut a long strip of fabric, then edge both sides with red and white check ribbon. The texture of the weave plays nicely against the crisp pattern. Lay a few pine sprigs and small cones down the center and you are done. It works on a white farmhouse table or a dark wood one. Our plaid Christmas decor ideas pair beautifully with it.
You will need: A burlap strip 14 inches wide and as long as your table plus 12 inches, red check ribbon 1.5 inches wide, fabric glue or hot glue, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut the strip and pull a few threads from each short end to make a soft fringe. 2. Glue the check ribbon along both long edges, pressing it flat as you go. 3. Let it dry, then center it on the table with pine sprigs and small cones.
Burlap Christmas Decor Stockings With Lace Cuffs
Rustic stockings with white lace cuffs are some of the prettiest burlap Christmas decor pieces you can hang on a mantel. The rough fabric and soft lace look sweet together, a little country and a little vintage. Cut the shapes from a paper template, sew or glue the edges and add a lace band at the top. Make one for each person in the family. A simple loop of twine is all you need for hanging. For more stocking styles, see our DIY Christmas stockings.
You will need: Burlap fabric, cotton lining fabric, wide white lace trim, jute twine, a paper stocking template, fabric glue or a sewing machine.
How to make it: 1. Trace the template twice on the fabric and twice on the lining, then cut all four pieces. 2. Stitch or glue each fabric piece to a lining piece, then join the front and back along the edges. 3. Glue the lace around the top as a cuff and add a twine loop at the back seam.
Wrapped Jar Vases With Lace and Twine
Plain glass jars become country vases in about five minutes. Wrap a band of burlap around the middle, add a thin strip of lace on top and tie it off with a twine bow. Fill them with fresh pine, white cotton stems and red berries. Line three of them down the table or set one on a windowsill. They are also a lovely hostess gift. For more ways to use those jars, see our mason jar Christmas crafts.
You will need: Clean glass jars, burlap strips 3 inches wide, narrow white lace, jute twine, hot glue, pine sprigs, cotton stems, berry picks.
How to make it: 1. Wrap a burlap strip around each jar and glue the overlap at the back. 2. Glue a strip of lace over the center of the band and tie twine around it in a small bow. 3. Fill with water and greenery, or skip the water and use faux stems.
Stuffed Hearts With Red Stitching
Little stuffed hearts are the kind of homespun ornament grandma might have made. Cut two heart shapes, stitch around the edge with red embroidery floss and stuff them softly. The bright stitches stand out against the natural fabric. Hang them on the tree, tie them to gifts or string a few along a shelf. Kids can help with the stuffing. You will find more cozy handmade designs in our handmade Christmas ornaments gallery.
You will need: Burlap scraps, red embroidery floss, a large needle, fiberfill, jute twine, a paper heart template about 4 inches wide.
How to make it: 1. Trace and cut two hearts per ornament. 2. Blanket stitch around the edges with red floss, leaving a 2 inch gap, then stuff lightly and finish the stitching. 3. Tie a twine loop through the top.
Burlap Christmas Decor Pillow Covers With a Painted Tree
Painted pillow covers are some of the cheapest burlap Christmas decor you can make for the living room. A simple green tree shape on a plain cover looks clean and modern farmhouse. Use a paper stencil and a little fabric paint, and you are done in an afternoon. Toss them on a white sofa with a red check throw for an instant holiday look. When January comes, just swap the covers. Our no sew pillow covers show more ways to change pillows on a budget.
You will need: Plain burlap pillow covers, dark green fabric paint, a paper tree stencil, a stencil brush, painter’s tape, cardboard.
How to make it: 1. Slide cardboard inside the cover so paint does not soak through to the back. 2. Tape the stencil in place and dab paint with an up and down motion, keeping the brush almost dry. 3. Lift the stencil, let the paint dry for a few hours and heat set it with an iron on the back.
Fabric Gift Wrap With Fresh Greenery
Wrapping gifts in burlap makes them look like they came from a boutique. Fold the fabric around each box like paper and tie it with jute twine. Tuck in a pine sprig, a stem of eucalyptus and a small pine cone. Add a plain kraft tag. The best part is that the fabric can be reused next year. Kids also love untying the twine, and it is the most useful burlap Christmas decor on this list. For more clever ideas, see our gift wrapping tricks.
You will need: Burlap fabric, jute twine, pine sprigs, eucalyptus, small pine cones, kraft paper tags, double sided tape, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Cut fabric about 4 inches wider than the box on all sides and fold it around the box, taping the seams. 2. Wrap twine both ways and tie a bow on top. 3. Slip greenery and a pine cone under the twine and add a tag.
Pennant Banner for the Mantel
A pennant banner fills a bare mantel in minutes. Cut triangles from burlap and red check fabric, then glue them over a long piece of twine. Alternate the two for a cheerful pattern. Leave them plain, or paint a simple letter on each one if you like. Hang it under a swag of greenery for a full country look. For more ideas to string up this season, check our DIY Christmas garland gallery.
You will need: Burlap fabric, red check fabric, a paper triangle template 6 inches wide, jute twine, hot glue, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Trace and cut 6 burlap and 5 check triangles. 2. Lay out a long piece of twine and fold the top edge of each triangle over it, gluing it closed. 3. Space them evenly and hang the banner across the mantel with small hooks.
Burlap Christmas Decor Tree Collar From a Bucket
A tree collar hides an ugly stand and gives a small tree a tidy base. This version starts with an old bucket. Wrap it in burlap, add a red check ribbon band and drop the tree stand inside. It instantly turns a little tree into burlap Christmas decor worth showing off. It also keeps pets away from the water. Pile a few wrapped gifts around it. Our Christmas tree collar ideas show many other bases to try.
You will need: A metal or plastic bucket wide enough for your stand, burlap fabric, red check ribbon 2 inches wide, hot glue, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Measure around the bucket and cut fabric 2 inches taller and 2 inches longer. 2. Glue the fabric around the bucket and fold the top and bottom edges inside and under. 3. Glue the ribbon band around the middle and set the tree stand inside.
Rosette Garland on a Shelf
Rolled rosettes look like little farmhouse flowers. Cut a long strip of burlap, twist it and coil it around itself, gluing as you go. Mix them with small red fabric rosettes along a piece of twine. The result is soft and pretty, and it costs pennies. Drape it over a shelf, a mirror or a doorway. It also looks lovely on the tree. For more ways to use leftover fabric, see our fabric scrap Christmas crafts.
You will need: Burlap strips 2 inches wide and 24 inches long, red cotton fabric strips, hot glue, jute twine, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Knot one end of a strip, then twist the strip and coil it around the knot, adding a dot of glue every half turn. 2. Tuck the end underneath and glue it flat. 3. Glue the rosettes onto twine every 5 inches, alternating colors.
Big Bows on the Chair Backs
Big bows on each chair make the dinner table feel festive before anyone sits down. Use wide wired burlap ribbon so the loops hold their shape. Tie a bow around the top rail of each chair and tuck a small pine sprig into the knot. It looks like a wedding venue, but it takes ten minutes. The bows also look great on a banister or a lamp post. For more bow ideas around the house, see our Christmas bow decor.
You will need: Wired burlap ribbon 5 inches wide, about 2 yards per chair, pine sprigs, floral wire, scissors.
How to make it: 1. Wrap the ribbon around the chair rail and tie a loose knot at the center back. 2. Form two big loops, tie them together and fluff them out, cutting the tails at an angle. 3. Tuck a pine sprig into the knot and secure it with a bit of wire.
Burlap Christmas Decor Ornaments Shaped Like Little Trees
Small stuffed trees are a primitive classic, and they are the kind of burlap Christmas decor you can make from scraps. Cut two triangles, sew them together and stuff them lightly. Add a few tiny red buttons for ornaments and a little stick for a trunk. Hang them with twine loops on the tree or along a garland. They make sweet gift toppers too. For more simple country designs, see our primitive Christmas crafts.
You will need: Burlap scraps, small red buttons, a small twig, fiberfill, needle and thread, jute twine, a 5 inch triangle template.
How to make it: 1. Cut two triangles per tree and sew or glue the edges, leaving the bottom open. 2. Stuff lightly, slip a 1 inch twig into the bottom as a trunk and close the opening. 3. Sew or glue on buttons and add a twine loop at the top.
Lined Crate Centerpiece
A wooden crate lined with burlap makes an easy and abundant centerpiece. Fill it with pine cones, fresh pine branches, red berries and white cotton stems. The fabric hides the gaps and softens the rough wood. Set it in the middle of the table or on a sideboard. It is simple burlap Christmas decor that you can later use to hold gifts or blankets. For more ways to use crates this season, see our wooden crate Christmas decor.
You will need: A small wooden crate, burlap fabric, a staple gun, pine cones, pine branches, red berry picks, cotton stems.
How to make it: 1. Cut fabric large enough to line the inside with extra hanging over the sides. 2. Staple it inside along the top edges and let the corners drape over. 3. Fill with branches first, then add pine cones, berries and cotton stems on top.
Frames With Fabric Mats
Picture frames get a warm, textured look when you swap the mat for burlap. Cut the fabric to the size of the backing board and glue it on. Then add a pressed pine sprig, a dried flower or a family photo. Group three frames on a shelf with greenery for a simple display. As burlap Christmas decor goes, they also make a thoughtful gift for grandparents. Find more ways to dress up frames in our Christmas picture frame crafts gallery.
You will need: Wooden picture frames, burlap fabric, spray adhesive or fabric glue, pressed pine sprigs or dried flowers, small glue dots.
How to make it: 1. Remove the glass and cut fabric to the size of the backing board. 2. Glue the fabric to the board and smooth out any wrinkles. 3. Attach the pressed sprigs or a photo with glue dots, then put the frame back together.
Burlap Christmas Decor Bread Basket for Dinner
End your burlap Christmas decor on the dinner table with a lined bread basket. Line a woven basket with burlap, add a red check napkin on top and pile it with warm rolls. The napkin keeps the bread soft while the fabric adds texture. Set it next to the runner and the crate centerpiece and your table is complete. Learn more about the rough jute cloth itself on the Hessian fabric page. For more dinner ideas, see our Christmas table ideas.
You will need: A woven basket, burlap fabric, a red check cloth napkin, fabric glue, dinner rolls.
How to make it: 1. Cut a burlap square large enough to line the basket with corners hanging over the edges. 2. Pull a few threads from each edge for a soft fringe and glue the center to the basket bottom. 3. Lay the napkin on top, fill with warm rolls and fold the napkin over to keep them warm.
