This fall, we're decorating our spaces with 'living sculptures' – here's how to follow suit (it's easier and cheaper than you think)

Interior designer Hans Lorei says this simple, and easily accessible, trick will have your home feeling characterful and inviting

Three spaces with cut branches displayed in vases
(Image credit: Jai Short / BE. by Brittaney Elise; Neptune; Kelly Hopter Interiors)

There's quite a bit to look forward to in autumn, from festive celebrations to cozy evenings in. But when the temperature starts to drop, and the leaves disappear, it's natural to miss summer's vibrant views. That's why fall proves the perfect time to bring the outdoors in.

A tried-and-true, designer-approved way to introduce nature's beauty indoors is by placing considered arrangements of fall foliage throughout your home. While fresh flowers define spring and summer, branches and lively leaves will usher your design scheme through the colder months. A quick, easy, accessible spruce, this fall decor idea will never go out of style.

Interior designer Hans Lorei recently took to TikTok to share his take on these fall-ready arrangements, showing a video of himself clipping a tree in the backyard before presenting the found foliage beautifully in an elegant vase.

'You see a friendly guy trimming some trees. I see an opportunity for a living sculpture. One man's trash is another man's treasure – I don't make the rules,' he says in the video. This is how to get the look in your own home.

How to decorate with 'living sculptures' for fall

@hansloreidesign

Pruning your trees? Don't just toss those branches.. #interiordesign #interiors #floral #tree

♬ original sound - Hans Lorei Design

Both a fitting fall spruce and an uplifting approach to winter decor, branches and foliage instantly elevate a space. Providing far more than a burst of color, these 'living sculptures' deserve the spotlight.

As we've learned from Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent's kitchen countertops, and Joanna Gaines' go-to post-holiday decor, even the most accomplished designers turn to nature for finishing touches. And treating them as artwork in their own right makes all the difference.

Whether you're able to head outside and pull from your own backyard, or you're investing in a handful of faux pieces, pair them with a vase you'd like to show off. These living works of art are perfect for a festive mantel, fall table decor centerpiece, fall coffee table, or kitchen island.

Channel the 'living sculpture' look

If you live in a city center (or just don't want to invite insects inside), consider faux greenery to spruce up your fall living space. These are some of our favorite pieces, all of which mimic the 'living sculpture' look.


Wherever you place your prized 'living sculpture,' experts say you can't go wrong – by creating a focal point in your design scheme, and channeling the great outdoors, you'll be adding character and charm to the entire space.

Abby Wilson
Interior Design News Editor

I am an Interior Design News Editor at Homes & Gardens. Most recently, I worked with Better Homes & Gardens, where I wrote and edited content about home decor, gardening tips, food news, and more. Before that, I studied Journalism and English Literature at New York University. I’ve moved around quite a bit in the last several years, most recently making the trip to London, and love transforming each new space into a comfortable retreat that feels like home. When it comes to decor, I’m most drawn to unique vintage finds and calming colors.