DIY Fall Candle Centerpiece with Layered Dried Beans and Corn

I love the warm, rich colors that come with fall, and this little fall candle centerpiece brings those colors right to the table. I made mine with dried beans, peas, and popcorn layered inside a simple glass vase, so it is inexpensive and uses things you may already have tucked away in the pantry.

I especially like this kind of fall decorating because it doesn’t need to be complicated. A few natural colors, a candle, some raffia, and pretty fall leaves are enough to make a simple centerpiece for the table, mantel, or anywhere that needs a little touch of autumn.

Why I Love This Simple Fall Centerpiece

This is one of those little projects that is easy to change depending on what you already have.

• It uses inexpensive dried beans, peas, corn, or popcorn.
• You can make it in a hurricane vase, cylinder vase, or Mason jar.
• The natural colors work beautifully with fall and harvest decor.
• You can change the ribbon and decorations to fit your own home.
• It only takes about 10–15 minutes to put together.

I also love that no two have to look exactly alike. I usually just look through the pantry and see which colors work well together.

Key Supplies I Used

You don’t need anything fancy for this project. The different colors and textures of the dried ingredients do most of the decorating for you.

Glass vase or Mason jar: I like a clear container so all those pretty layers show. A Cylinder Vase or Hurricane Vase gives you more room, but a Mason jar works nicely for a smaller centerpiece or or this large half gallon mason jar for a larger one.

Dried beans and peas: Red beans and green peas give you those deep fall colors. White, black, brown, or mixed beans would work just as well.

Popcorn or dried corn: I used loose popcorn for a warm golden layer. Rainbow popcorn would also be beautiful if you want more color.

Fall Leaves: A few artificial leaves add a little more color without overwhelming the centerpiece.

Raffia: Raffia keeps the look simple and rustic. Fall ribbon or buffalo plaid ribbon would also work.

Candle: I recommend using a battery-operated candle when it will sit directly among the dried beans and corn. If you prefer a real candle, place it inside its own heat-safe glass votive so the flame is completely separated from the dried materials.

How to Make a Fall Candle Centerpiece

The complete instructions are in the how-to card below, but this centerpiece is simple enough to put together in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Layer the Beans and Corn

Start with a clean, dry hurricane vase, cylinder vase, or Mason jar.

Pour in your first layer of dried beans, peas, popcorn, or corn. Add another color on top and continue building the layers until the vase is nearly as full as you would like it.

I prefer layers that are thick enough to really see each color rather than lots of very thin stripes.

Step 2: Add the Candle

Before adding your final layer, nestle a battery-operated candle into the center.

For a real candle, use a separate heat-safe glass candle holder or votive inside the larger vase. I would not place an open flame directly against dried beans, corn, raffia, or leaves.

Add enough of your last layer around the candle holder to help hold everything in place without covering the candle itself.

Step 3: Add the Fall Decorations

Tie a few strands of raffia around the outside of the vase.

Tuck or tie one or two fall leaves into the raffia. I like to keep this part fairly simple because the colorful layers inside the vase are already doing plenty of decorating.

If you want leaves inside the vase, place them against the glass as you fill it. The dried beans will help hold them in place.

And that is really all there is to it.

A Few Tips Before You Start

This craft is very forgiving, but these little details help it look a bit more finished.

• Use a completely dry vase so the beans and corn stay dry.
• Choose three or four colors that contrast with each other so your layers show clearly.
• Pour slowly to keep the layers fairly even.
• If a layer gets crooked, gently tilt or tap the vase to settle it.
• Keep raffia, ribbon, leaves, and other decorations safely away from any real flame.
• A flameless candle is my favorite choice for this centerpiece because I can turn it on and enjoy it without worrying about the dried decorations.

Fall Candle Centerpiece Variations

There are plenty of ways to make this centerpiece your own without changing the basic idea.

Try black beans, white beans, lentils, split peas, dried corn, or a colorful bean soup mix. Rainbow popcorn is another pretty choice.

Instead of raffia, tie on a fall plaid ribbon, burlap ribbon, or a simple piece of twine.

You can also make several smaller versions in Mason jars and group them together down the center of a table.

More Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

If you enjoy simple fall projects like this one, take a look at my DIY Fall Mason Jars. And if you like decorating with things you already have around the house, my Wine Cork Wreath is another fun way to turn everyday materials into seasonal decor.

I also have these Mason Jar Centerpieces that you can save for Christmas decorating later in the year.

I hope this little fall candle centerpiece gives you an easy way to bring some of those beautiful autumn colors into your home. If you make one, I’d love to hear which beans, corn, or other dried ingredients you used.

Happy Fall, Y’all!

Printable Recipe

Click HERE to save this Fall candle vase to Pinterest