Fragrant Fall Magic With DIY Cinnamon Brooms
Transform plain craft brooms into deliciously scented seasonal decorations using essential oils and ribbon
Every fall I walk past those gorgeous cinnamon brooms at craft stores and think about spending $12-15 each, then remember how satisfying it is to make my own for about $4 using plain craft brooms and cinnamon essential oil. These fragrant decorations fill your entryway with that unmistakable warm spice scent that instantly says "autumn" to everyone who walks through your door, and the aroma lasts for weeks when you refresh the oil occasionally. I've made these as housewarming gifts, fall hostess presents, and seasonal porch decorations, and people are always amazed that something so charming and aromatic could be so simple to create. The project takes about 15 minutes per broom once you have your supplies, making it perfect for crafting several at once while watching a movie on a cozy autumn evening. Beyond the cost savings, there's creative satisfaction in customizing each broom with different ribbon styles, dried fruit accents, or herb bundles that reflect your personal aesthetic rather than settling for whatever generic version the store offers.
What You'll Need
- Base Materials:
- Natural straw craft brooms (18-24 inches long)
- Available at craft stores for $3-5 each
- Look for tightly bound bristles and sturdy handles
- Corn brooms work better than synthetic versions
- Scenting Supplies:
- Cinnamon essential oil (pure, not fragrance oil)
- Small bowl for mixing oils
- Paintbrush or foam brush for application
- Optional: clove or orange essential oils for blending
- Decorative Elements:
- Wire-edge ribbon in fall colors (2-3 inches wide)
- Raffia or jute twine for rustic wrapping
- Dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, or pinecones
- Hot glue gun for attaching embellishments
- Total Cost: $4-6 per broom
Creation Steps
- Prepare your workspace by covering your work surface with newspaper or craft paper, since essential oils can stain and you'll want to protect countertops and tables. Work in a well-ventilated area because the concentrated cinnamon oil is quite potent before it dries.
- Mix your scent blend by combining 20-30 drops of cinnamon essential oil in a small bowl, optionally adding 5-10 drops of clove or orange oil for complexity. This custom blend creates a more nuanced fragrance than single-note cinnamon alone.
- Apply oil generously using a foam brush to paint the essential oil mixture onto the broom bristles, working from the binding down to the tips and focusing especially on the outer layer that will release fragrance into the air. Don't oversaturate to the point of dripping, but be liberal with application.
- Let it absorb by allowing the broom to sit for 15-20 minutes so the natural straw fibers can soak up the oil completely, which creates longer-lasting fragrance than surface application alone. The broom will darken slightly as it absorbs, which adds to the aged, authentic appearance.
- Wrap with ribbon starting about 6 inches down from the top of the bristles, wrapping your wire-edge ribbon around the broom several times to create a 4-5 inch band that conceals the binding. Wire-edge ribbon holds its shape beautifully and creates those gorgeous bows that maintain their fullness.
- Create your bow using the remaining ribbon, making generous loops and long tails that cascade down the broom handle for that classic harvest decoration look. Position the bow slightly off-center rather than perfectly centered for a more organic, professional appearance.
- Add embellishments by hot-gluing small cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, or miniature pinecones to the ribbon band, tucking them into the bow or clustering them asymmetrically for visual interest. These natural elements reinforce the autumn theme and add textural variety.
- Refresh the scent every 2-3 weeks by applying a few more drops of essential oil directly to the bristles, which keeps the fragrance strong throughout the entire fall season. Store unused brooms in sealed plastic bags to preserve their scent until you're ready to display them.
Interior designers elevate simple cinnamon brooms by creating curated groupings with varying heights and complementary styling rather than displaying single identical pieces. Try clustering three brooms together in a decorative bucket or large urn—one tall at 24 inches, one medium at 18 inches, and one short at 12 inches—each wrapped with coordinating but not matching ribbons in fall's rich jewel tones. For truly sophisticated presentations, layer your scents by applying cinnamon to one broom, clove-orange blend to another, and vanilla-nutmeg to the third, creating an evolving fragrance experience as guests move past your display. Professional stylists also incorporate the brooms into larger vignettes by leaning them against pumpkin stacks, tucking them into autumn wreaths, or positioning them beside lanterns and mums for those magazine-worthy porch displays that look effortlessly collected.
