Learn how to create easy fall signs on reclaimed wood, windows, crates and more, creating the perfect fall decor using fall stencils!
You sure know when autumn approaches. The air turns crisp in the mornings and evenings, and the days grow shorter quickly!
And that’s when the fall decorating mood hits big! Layer up with cozy blankets, light up candles, throw another log on the fire, pour another pumpkin spice latte, and enter the sights and smells of all things fall.
It’s also the perfect time to dream up new and unique ways to decorate for fall. And my own personal way is to create fall signs.
I personally love to decorate with DIY fall signs because they can tell the full story on one simple plank of wood!
And for that reason, fall stencil designs that work on existing wood plank sizes make fall sign crafting effortless!
Fall signs as home decor look good in any room! Some popular choices are living room mantels, entryway, front porches, your own real pumpkin patch outdoors or even decorate your garden shed. Just add pieces of scrap wood for a rustic look.
Wish to add rustic fall charm to your own spaces? Here’s how to make easy rustic DIY fall signs using pretty much anything you may have!
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Where to find fall stencils
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You may already know I personally design what I call Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils. These stencils are designed with a vintage sign vibe that you can also modernize up if desired!
There are plenty of fall stencils to choose from since there’s always new products coming out each season! So grab your cute saying of choice!
Each fall sign stencil comes with a nice strong headline so they are well read with or without the graphics.
Stencils make it effortless to get pro looking lettering results on a plank of wood. They are especially handy if you gift or sell too!
So let’s chat about how to prepare wood for DIY fall signs next!
Where to gather wood to make a wooden sign
- Search for falling down fences.
- Collect old pallets that appear clean.
- Check salvage yards for good deals.
- Put out requests on Facebook.
- Be on the lookout for barn teardown.
I gather reclaimed wood scraps from all sources, however my #1 fav thing to do is watch for fences that have seen better days.
Folks generally want to get rid of the wood any way they can! It can take a little effort removing the planks from the sections, but some slip right out too.
Read more about my wood gathering adventures at:
The day my family barn came down.
Old fence lottery win just down the road!
Learn how to harvest safe pallet wood
How to prep wood for DIY fall signs
- Remove nails.
- Place boards on the lawn.
- Pressure wash one side, then flip and do the other.
- Stack vertical on concrete to allow to dry completely.
- Stack and store wood for your projects to come!
- Lightly sand the planks before creating with them.
Even if the planks look pretty rough, the power of pressure washing will take care of that in a jiffy!
Pressure washing is safe, fast and easy! After removing all nails, I spread the planks out on the lawn, pressure wash one side, then flip them over and do the other.
The planks are then leaned up against the side of the house on a sidewalk to air dry, then stored for projects! Just be sure to dry planks off the lawn, or they will warp.
Other reclaimed wood tips
The best way to clean reclaimed wood HERE
How to easily remove fence planks without fancy tools!
So now that we’ve covered wood prep, let’s get onto the best part! Making signs!
How to make fall signs
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Sign supplies you’ll need:
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Funky Junk’s Old Sign Stencils – all fall designs are HERE
Stencil brushes – I love dome tipped stencil brushes myself!
Paint brush if covering large surfaces
Paint of choice – I tend to use Fusion Mineral Paint Coal Black paint most and at times, craft acrylic paint.
A paint container
Water
Palm sander (I love my Bosch variable speed palm sander best!)
Read a complete list of my fav stencil gear in THIS POST.
How to stencil to achieve sharp images
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Stencilling is actually very easy! However the main key is to ensure your paint-loaded stencil brush feels dry. This alone helps you create super sharp images!
- Dip stencil brush in paint.
- Remove most paint onto a rag so brush feels dry.
- Tap or swirl brush through stencil for desired effect.
Learn much more about how to stencil HERE
Visit many videos on how to stencil HERE
Next up, here’s plenty of fall signs to make with wood and stencils!
Sunflower farm sign shelf with chippy wood
Build and stencil a sunflower fall sign with added shelf!
Stencils: Sunflower Farm Small
Make a rustic fall sign with an added shelf to display fall flowers! Designed with sunflowers that could be bright orange or neutrals. Now that’s a fall craft!
Pumpkins sign with a 3D wagon
Front porch Buffalo Checked Pumpkins in a wagon wooden fall sign
Stencils: Buffalo Check – Medium / Pumpkins 25 Cents / Pumpkins
Who wouldn’t love to pull a couple of buffalo check or plaid pumpkins to market? This has to be my most fav fall sign made, thanks to the salvaged 3D additions to bring the wagon to life!
Learn how to add a pattern to any stencil shape too! Great for front door decorating or a fall mantel.
Pumpkin pie sign with hooks
Farmhouse Homemade Pie with interchangeable fruit wooden fall sign
Stencils: Homemade Pumpkin Pie / Fall Produce Graphics
Learn how to make this happy fall Homemade Pie wood sign with interchangeable fruit!
Pumpkin Pie sign on a window
Homemade Pumpkin Pie fall sign decoration stenciled onto a window
Stencil: Homemade Pumpkin Pie
Learn how to stencil on old window glass with this charming Homemade Pumpkin Pie sign, perfect for kitchen fall decorating!
Pumpkin Patch signs on arrows
Make a front porch Pumpkin Patch wooden arrow fall sign!
Stencils: Pumpkin Patch / Fall Produce Graphics
Learn how to stencil an easy fall pumpkin patch arrow sign! Includes a nifty paint splattering technique that adds texture. Makes a great fall porch sign by the front door outdoors!
Pumpkin Spice coffee sign using an old window
Pumpkin Spice wooden fall sign with an old window
Stencils: Pumpkin Spice / Fall Greetings – small
Create a Pumpkin Spice fall sign with an old window and stencils for kitchen fall decorating! Just add hooks to hang up mugs!
Mini fall signs on cedar strips
Stencils: Fall Greetings – small
Learn how to stencil mini fall signs with Fall Greetings! They make great shelf sitters, fun to incorporate into your fall or Thanksgiving decorating! Includes adding acrylic craft paint for added tones.
Directional fall signs with 3D arrow tips
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Make a fall directional sign with Pumpkin Patch, Apple Cider, Hay Rides and Corn Maze!
Stencils: Pumpkin Patch / Apple Cider / Hay Rides / Corn Maze
Learn how to stencil this cute fall sign, directional fall signs style, with 3D arrow tips! Includes Pumpkin Patch, Apple Cider, Hay Rides and Corn Maze, perfect for October decorating indoors or out!
Directional fall signs on wood planks
Make chippy white fall directional signs with Pumpkin Patch, Apple Cider, Hay Rides and Corn Maze!
Stencils: Pumpkin Patch / Apple Cider / Hay Rides / Corn Maze / Arrow Kit
How to stencil a Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Apple Cider rustic fall directional signs for fall decorated beverage station! Includes how to shadow stenciled letters.
Directional fall signs with cut arrow tips
Make a fall directional sign with Pumpkin Patch, Apple Cider, Hay Rides and Corn Maze using scrap boards!
Stencils: Pumpkin Patch / Apple Cider / Hay Rides / Corn Maze
Stencil rustic fall arrow directional signs on any random piece of wood! Perfect for rustic fall decorating on a shed!
Fall fruit crate with Orchard sign
Build a wooden crate with a fall Orchard theme!
Stencils: You Pick Orchard / Fall Produce Graphics
Learn how to build a DIY rustic crate out of wood, with an Orchard theme! Perfect for fall decorating with fall produce as a table centerpiece.
Now that we’ve covered signs, there’s much more you can stencil on too!
Fall serving tray with an acorns theme
Learn how to create this festive fall serving tray themed around acorns! Perfect for serving nuts! Perfect for a Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
Chestnuts snack box
Wish you had a place for your favorite treats or fresh nuts? Whip up this handy and beautiful snack box with a fun chestnuts theme that’s also perfect for Christmas decorating too!
Fall pumpkin pillows
Design your own fall pumpkin pillows! Two styles shown.
Stencil: Pumpkins
Learn how to stencil pumpkin pillows in your chosen custom colours! Includes 2 colour samples.
Fall placemats
Design your own fall placemats with fall sayings and leaves!
Stencils – Fall Greetings – small / Falling Leaves pattern
Learn how to stencil on Ikea rattan placemats for fall using 2 different fall stencils!
Decorate a shed for fall
Decorate your shed for fall with fall wooden signs, crates and more! Take the tour!
Take a fall decorating tour of a rustic shed complete with Orchard window box crate, fall directional signs and more! Signs are easily made with stencils!
Easy wood pumpkins with pumpkin patch sign
Grab a few wood posts this round so you too can create this charming wooden pumpkin patch with sign!
Wooden pumpkins made with 2x4s
Stencil: Mini Pumpkin Patch Kit
Just a few random 2×4 scraps can result in these charming wooden pumpkins that are so fun and easy to customize, thanks to the Mini Pumpkin Patch Kit stencil HERE!
Learn how to stencil by watching these videos!
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Click above to watch how to stencil on a pillow cover! Includes how to off-load a stencil brush for any type of application.
Visit many more stencil video tutorials on THIS PAGE
Well friends, I don’t think there’s any lack of fall signs to make with wood and stencils! I hope you’ll be inspired to create with these fall sign ideas to make with wood and stencils so you can fall sign-up your own home too!
Do you have a favorite out of the bunch?
Happy fall decorating!
Visit all fall decorating stencils HERE to make and customize your own fall wood signs!
I love it!!!
Thanks Elsa! It was time to get this post in action!
Always love your creations!! Do you ever worry about de-bugging your reclaimed wood? I have read that Borax is good for that…just wondering what your thoughts are on it! 🙂
Thank-you Machelle! We don’t tend to have that issue in my area so I don’t worry about it. The wood is generally stored in my workshop for a good long while before I use it so it’s always my hope that helps. I hope! haha
There are ways to take care of that though. Some tutorials share how to bake wood in an oven! You may want to do a google search to see what’s suggested!
I’ve been so busy with house projects the last year or two, I haven’t had time to create much! But I dream about the day I’ll have time again to use the stencils I’ve already purchased from you. These new fall stencils are awesome!
I have a question … what is the “Richard” brand tool beside the brushes?? It looks like a cheese grater. I’m intrigued! Do you use it to clean brushes?