With the turning of the leaves and the ripening of the harvest, there’s no doubt that Mother Nature knows how to decorate for autumn. But do you know how to spruce up your home for the season? If you need some help falling into fall décor, here are eight autumn decorating ideas to roll out in your home this season.
Freshen up your front porch
The best places to decorate are the ones that will be seen, of course. That makes your front porch the perfect spot to begin. It’s hard to beat classic elements like piles of pumpkins and gourds and colorful potted crotons and mums. A homemade fall wreath, like this floral yarn wreath or this fall bounty wreath, is also a great addition.
Pretty up some pumpkins
Leave the jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. There are far more versatile ways to decorate pumpkins without the mess and the fleeting shelf life of carving. Fall leaves, glue and glitter are all you need to create these artful glitter leaf pumpkins, for example.
Fire up your fireplace
The return of crisp weather means the opportunity to enjoy the cozy warmth of a fire once again. If you’re overdue for annual maintenance on your fireplace, strongly consider a professional inspection and cleaning before you light the first log of the season. Even when they’re not burning, a pile of tastefully selected logs in the hearth lends a rustic look.
Embrace the outdoors
Don’t have an indoor fireplace to enjoy? For as little as $39, a metal fire pit can transform your patio or other outdoor space into a toasty gathering space on crisp autumn evenings. Break out a basket of warm blankets for an evening of hot cider and marshmallow roasting.
Opt for autumn colors
A cozy season deserves a cozy color palette. Mellow earth tones are the traditional choice for fall décor, but you can be more playful with a touch of pumpkin orange, gourd green or autumn sky blue. There’s no need to repaint or reupholster – a few tastefully chosen and arranged accent pieces should do the trick.
Add a flourish with flowers
Winter may be on the horizon, but it’s hardly time to bid flower bouquets farewell. Vases of sunflowers and alstroemeria are great seasonal picks that should stay beautiful for as long as a week. Remove any leaves below the water line and replace the water every few days to keep your blooms looking their best the longest. Fall leaves (real or faux) are also a great decorating element to arrange on flat surfaces like mantels or shelves.
Haul out the horn
Latin for “horn of plenty”, the cornucopia is an enduring symbol of harvest and abundance. Filled with gourds, fruits or flowers, it makes a great traditional centerpiece for Thanksgiving or throughout the season. Fret not if you don’t have a bugle-shaped basket of your own – a classic round basket arrangement looks just as great, whether on a dining room table or family room mantelpiece.
Collect the candles
It’s hard to match the soft glow of candlelight when it comes to seasonal charm. Many store-bought candles – either unscented or with autumn-themed aromas – impress straight from the box, but there’s always room for improvement. Place pillar candles in lanterns or glass hurricane holders, and fill the bases with acorns, coffee beans or flint corn kernels for a creative twist. Just keep an eye on the candle levels so they don’t burn down into the filler.
Nature’s splendor is hard to rival – especially in your living room – but with these ideas, you can welcome the season and your holiday guests with a tasteful nod to fall’s beauty.
