What’s an Autumn Color Palette You Would Craft With?

There’s something about autumn that makes you want to slow down and look a little closer. A golden leaf caught on the sidewalk, the deep red of a maple tree, a warm cup of coffee against a cool afternoon; suddenly, ordinary moments are filled with color. And when it comes to crafting, those seasonal shades can be the perfect starting point for creating cards, scrapbook layouts, journals, home décor, and other autumn crafts.

But autumn isn't limited to one predictable combination of orange, brown, and yellow. From rich jewel tones to soft neutrals, the season offers countless ways to express its warmth and character. Today, we’re going to be sharing a few autumn color palettes to inspire your next project.

Build-A-Garden: Harvest Bouquet

Autumn colors have a natural warmth and richness that instantly make a project feel cozy, inviting, and seasonal. As leaves change from green to shades of gold, amber, orange, red, and brown, they create combinations that feel both harmonious and full of character.

What makes these colors especially versatile is their range. You can create a vibrant project using saturated reds and oranges, or take a more understated approach with muted greens, creams, and earthy browns. You can even mix warm autumn shades with unexpected colors such as navy, plum, or dusty pink for a more modern look.

The best part? You don't have to follow a traditional seasonal palette. Let nature, your favorite colors, or even your mood guide your choices.

We’ve talked a lot about color palettes; now it’s time to showcase a couple of examples that could inspire your next project! 

Of course, you can’t have autumn-themed projects without your classic color palettes composed of earthy browns, vibrant oranges, and other complementary shades like yellow, pink, and red. There are plenty of ways to mix and match these colors, just like the handmade card you see below. The brown and orange shades pair so well with subtle pinks and yellows. 

Tea Potpourri Stencil Set (5 in 1)

Nothing quite screams autumn crafts like mugs filled with your favorite drinks. Whether you’re a coffee, tea, or hot chocolate kind of person, you can no doubt relate to the different mugs that come in different shapes, sizes, and designs. Customize your mug and create a whimsical display worthy of your next cozy session. 

My Favorite Mugs Layering Die Set

Who says your autumn color palettes should be limited to a single, cohesive color palette? If you’re the kind of crafter who enjoys vibrant color and can’t choose just one color scheme, go for your favorites! Take this handmade card below, for instance, which includes a few primary colors of the rainbow in a stunning pattern, paired with a large sentiment. 

Heirloom Filigree

Autumn does not fully exist in the daytime, with the falling orange leaves and the earthy landscapes. Sometimes, autumn comes alive at night, when the nocturnal creatures come out to play and the moonlight paints a beautiful picture of the landscape. If this is something that suits your crafting aesthetic, consider making a CAS card, or something with a darker color palette, and you’ll be left with a charming nighttime-themed project. 

Mini Delight: Woodland Wisdom Stamp & Layering Die Set

Autumn is usually when everyone celebrates harvest season. After all, that’s also when holidays like Thanksgiving are commemorated as well. If you want to go for a fun, harvest-themed vibe when you craft, why not make adorable die-cut fruits and vegetables? You can actually replicate a vegetable garden with some carrots, peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and more. It’s a wonderful and unique project idea anyone will surely love to receive. 

Very Veggie Layering Die Set

Once you've chosen your palette, it's time to turn inspiration into something handmade. Experiment with stamping, die cutting, stenciling, ink blending, watercoloring, or layering different elements to see how your chosen colors interact.

You can also create several projects using the same palette. A combination of terracotta, sage, and cream could become a fall greeting card, scrapbook page, gift tag, or journal spread. Using one set of colors across different projects is a great way to explore how color palettes can create different moods depending on the design and techniques you use.

And there you have it, crafty friends! Get some inspiration from these projects and let us know if you want to replicate any of them for your next creations. And before you go, don’t forget to check out more project inspiration, daily tutorials, and crafting techniques HERE.