Favorite Fall Stems

Hi Friend!

Let’s talk fall stems. You know those beautiful faux branches you see in some of your favorite homes on the internet? They add an instant fall feeling to any room you add them to, but sometimes, finding the right ones can be difficult. You are not wrong in feeling this way. I, too, have a hard time finding ones that I love, but when I do, they make it into my cart faster than you can say “fall.” Today, I’m sharing some tips on what I look for when shopping for fall stems and, of course, some of my favorites so that you can use them again year after year.

Here we go ~

First thing I look for when shopping for fall stems is color tone.

It has to be the right color tone if it is going to fit in nicely with our home’s aesthetic. Since I love neutrals, I am not looking for anything that is too bright. I love more of a muted tone when it comes to traditional fall colors. Tans and beiges and even some muted orange shades are what I keep my eyes peeled for. The shelves at the store might be full of faux stems, but if the color isn’t the right fit – I pass.

The second thing I look for is realistic characteristics.

Are the branches hand painted that will give a more realistic appearance? What material are the leaves made of? Do the leaves have markings and variations that resemble the look of real branches clipped from trees? Price points can make a big difference with these variables. While I will always advise you to shop within your budget, I do believe that some faux stems are worth saving for.

Let’s Compare the Two Stems below ~

I purchased both of these from Hobby Lobby last year. At first glance, they appear almost the same, and while they are made of the same material, one costs more than double the price of the other. The faux stem on the right has far more detail. Below is a closer look at the markings on the branch that make it look more realistic and less like plastic. You can also see the difference in the details on the leaves, giving it a more realistic dimension.

To stretch my dollars further, I purchased one of the more expensive stems (the one on the right with more detail) and two of the lesser expensive stems (the one on the left). I grouped them together in the same vase which still provides me the full look I was after, but for less money.

Another tip is to wait to buy until the off-season, or they go on sale.

Good faux stems can sometimes be pricey, in any season – not just fall. It takes some patience, but this is my go-to hack when I find something I really like. It’s one of the only ways I will invest in faux garland and winter stems too! Especially when I fins something I like but don’t like the price tag that comes with it. You will enjoy decorating with it so much more if it is a faux stem you really love vs. settling for the lesser quality one because it was what you could afford in the moment. Don’t be afraid to save for a higher quality faux stem. It will be worth investment, and usually even out if you use it year after year.

My last piece of advice is don’t be afraid to mix your faux stems together.

I love helping my faux stems look more realistic by arranging them with different faux or preserved stems. When you mix different faux stems together, it adds variety to the arrangement and depth – which sometimes faux florals lack. This instantly boosts their overall appearance, making them look more realistic. Adding preserved or dried floral stems adds a more natural texture, which is also something that faux stems lack.

I always love to go outside and clip real branches in any season, but sometimes they just don’t last as long as I hope they would. Good quality faux stems really help carry me through the entire season, alleviating the need to constantly be changing, or cleaning up the droppings – especially when I don’t have the time to keep up with it.

While there is no one stop shop for finding the perfect faux fall stems ( I wish it was that simple), here are some of my favorites :

• Oak Branch with Acorns
• Rust Small Leaf Branch
• Golden Yellow Leaf Branch
• Bronze Maple Leaf Branch
• Longan Fruit Branch
• Rust Cork Leaf Stem
• Rust Hydrangea Stem
• Golden Eucalyptus Branch
• Dried Fig Leaf Branch
• Willow Eucalyptus Bundle
• White Fern
• Cream and Tan Berry Branch

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