Autumn is just around the corner, and you know what that means – it’s dough bowl time! I absolutely love this time of the year when I get to dive into planning and shopping for my annual fall dough bowl centerpiece. Today, I’m super excited to share one of my all-time favorite designs with you in this post, Fall Farmhouse Dough Bowl Design. Picture this – an effortlessly chic, all-white, totally cozy setup with a ton of textures and fall vibes that’ll make you want to curl up with a pumpkin spice latte. Let’s jump right in!

A dough bowl filled with white, cream and tan tones.

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6 Reasons You Will Love This Project

  1. Easy Peasy: Styling a dough bowl is a breeze, even if you’re a decorating newbie.
  2. Endless Creativity: Let your imagination run wild with various fillers, textures, and elements.
  3. Budget-Friendly: Create stunning centerpieces without costing a lot of money.
  4. Seasonal Charm: Transform your dough bowl for different seasons and occasions.
  5. Quick and Impactful: Achieve a gorgeous focal point in minutes – perfect for last-minute decor.
  6. Unique Statement: Craft a one-of-a-kind design that reflects your personal style.

Simple Tips for Styling Like a Pro

Have you tried your hand at designing a dough bowl? Dough bowls are actually fairly easy to style, you just have to remember a few simple tips. Here’s the scoop: when you’re out snagging stuff to fill your dough bowl, keep the length and depth of the bowl in mind. Those longer and deeper ones? You might wanna snag a bit more stuff. But if you’ve got a petite one, you won’t need a mountain of fillers – a sprinkle will do the trick!

dough bowl of all white, cream and tan hues.

Choosing the Right Size and Focal Point

The wooden dough bowl pictured here is 36″ long. In the world of dough bowls that is pretty long! When shopping for the contents I always make sure to buy plenty. I typically lay what I’m buying in my shopping cart while envisioning the length and width of my bowl. If you can bring your bowl with you shopping, all the better! I always start with a focal flower or in this case fresh white mini pumpkins bought from my local grocery store. The focal item is typically the largest item in the bowl and it should be the one you want to highlight.

Note: You can easily make this a faux design by using faux pumpkins.

dough bowl of all white and cream neutral tones laying on a jute rug.

Adding Artistic Flair: Mixing Sizes, Shapes, and Textures

After I choose the white pumpkins as my focal point I turn my focus to smaller fillers. For this farmhouse style bowl, I bought a bag of dried sola flowers (similar to these) that included roses, peonies, and frosted pine cones. I then grabbed some faux cream-colored heather, little picks of raffia, and these fun white antler picks (similar linked). Now, here’s the secret sauce – when I’m hunting for goodies to pile into my dough bowl, I’m on the lookout for size variations, shapes that pop, and textures that add flair. Think pumpkins, Sola flowers, and pinecones – they’re all round and snug. Then there’s the pointy heather, the edgy antlers, and the wispy raffia – all adding layers of texture and depth to this stunning arrangement. It’s a blend of soft and hard, delicate and bold – a charming blend of elements.

close up of the white fall dough bowl sitting on a white coffee table.

Elevating the Display: Building a Base with Natural Fillers

While this bowl is not too deep I almost always fill the base of the bowl with raffia, excelsior, or shredded paper. These dough bowl filler act as the first layer and begin to lift the contents for better viewing. You want to be able to see what is in the bowl and avoid everything sinking to the bottom. The raffia, excelsior, and shredded paper are great natural elements so if some pokes through, that’s ok! For this design, I went with shredded paper. You can learn more about using fillers in my How To Decorate A Spring Dough Bowl where I take you step-by-step through dough bowl design.

white shredded paper that was used on the bottom of this dough bowl to elevate the design.

Steps for Creating this Dough Bowl Design

  1. Layering: Begin by placing a base of shredded paper at the bottom of the bowl.
  2. Arrangement: Build the arrangement with larger elements like pumpkins, Sola flowers, and pinecones, ensuring the largest pumpkins take center stage.
  3. Texture and Balance: Integrate softer elements such as heather and raffia picks. Position those to the left of the center pumpkins facing left, and the ones to the right should face right.
  4. Final Touch: Complete the design by adding antler picks, aligning them in the same direction as the heather and raffia for a cohesive look.
a side view of the all white fall dough bowl design.

Complementary Elements for Your Neutral Dough Bowl Design


Get creative! You can elevate the charm of your neutral dough bowl design by incorporating these complementary elements. From the warm glow of candles to the delicate touch of feathers, these additions will add depth and sophistication to your arrangement. Discover the perfect accents to complete your stunning centerpiece.

  1. Candles: Introduce elegant taper candles or tea lights in neutral colors for a warm and cozy ambiance.
  2. Feathers: Delicate feathers in soft hues can add a touch of nature-inspired charm and gentle movement.
  3. Dried Wheat Stalks: These natural fall elements lend a touch of farmhouse chic and texture.
  4. Faux Stems: Floral faux stems of faux fall leaves would add a beautiful touch to this design.
  5. Neutral Fabric Bows: Tie simple fabric bows around pumpkins or run ribbon through your design.
  6. Wooden Beads: String some wood beads to introduce a touch of boho chic style.
  7. Muted Colored Berries: Add small clusters of muted-toned berries for a delicate pop of color.
  8. Incorporating Scent and Aromatics: Explore the idea of adding scented elements to your dough bowl, such as dried herbs, cinnamon sticks, or potpourri. These additions can enhance the sensory experience and contribute to the overall ambiance of your bowl.
a basket full of white mini pumpkins.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dough Bowl Designs

How do I choose the right size dough bowl for my space?

Consider the dimensions of your table or surface where you plan to place the bowl. A larger area can accommodate a large dough bowl, while smaller spaces might benefit from a petite one. Ensure the bowl’s proportions are visually appealing within the context of your decor.

What are some popular fillers for dough bowls?

Popular fillers include seasonal items like pumpkins, pinecones, dried flowers, and candles. Natural elements such as raffia, excelsior, and shredded paper can also add texture and depth to your diy fall centerpiece.

How do I create a balanced dough bowl arrangement?

Start with a focal point, such as a large flower or an interesting object, in the center. Build around it using smaller elements like filler items, greenery, and accessories. With your fall dough bowl styling, strive for a balanced distribution of colors, shapes, and heights to create visual harmony.

Can I change my dough bowl design for different seasons?

Absolutely! Dough bowls are fantastic for seasonal decor transitions. You can adapt the arrangement by swapping out elements like florals, fillers, and accessories to match the time of year. See my Spring Dough Bowl Design.

Where can I place my dough bowl design for maximum impact?

Your beautiful dough bowl design can shine as a perfect centerpiece on a dining table, coffee table, kitchen island, kitchen table, or even a console table. It’s a versatile decor piece that adds charm to various spaces.

Where can I find a dough bowl for my design project?

Dough bowls are available at home decor stores, antique stores, flea markets, online retailers, and even craft fairs. Etsy typically has antique dough bowls for sale or you can often find a vintage dough bowl on eBay. I got mine at a local vintage market. Below are some online buying options below.

Shop Dough Bowls Here:

Other Designs for the Fall Season:

tabel runner with pumpkins, clay posts and candles.

Simple Fall DIY Dining Table Centerpiece Idea: Elevate your fall decor by making this beautiful centerpiece featuring large and small pumpkins, clay pots, fall garlands, and candles.

tiiered tray, fall floral, fall centerpiece

Easy Kitchen Island Centerpiece For Fall: Grab your cake stands and footed trays for this stacked fall kitchen island centerpiece. This beautiful display features my favorite white little pumpkins, faux lambs ears, and tiny green berries with plenty of flowing raffia!

Thank you for visiting the blog today for a fall farmhouse dough bowl design. Be sure to check out my other dough bowl posts, How to Make a Dough Bowl Centerpiece and Flower and Fruit Dough Bowl Design with Burlap Ribbon post.

Keep Creating Friends!

my signature. a drawing of me holding cup of coffee.

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