Deciding how to decorate for fall is no small task! We’re here to give you all the inspiration and tips you need to take your home from a summer sanctuary to a festive fall haven.
As soon as Labor Day has come and gone, things get busy, quickly—and before you know it, it’s already Halloween. Sweater weather like this, though, has us all wondering how to decorate for fall so our homes can suit the season.
Between visiting apple orchards and enjoying all of the pumpkin spice products, we all want to leave a little time to make our home décor feel cozy—after all Halloween and Thanksgiving are on the horizon!
But even if it’s still shorts weather or you haven’t enjoyed your first pumpkin spice latte yet, it’s never too early to think about how to decorate for fall because seasonal décor makes any moment at home feel special.
Let us guide you through all of your options because making your game plan on how to decorate for fall can be just as fun as the decorating itself.
How to Decorate Your Kitchen for Fall
Between cooking for our families and baking for pleasure, we spend so much time in our kitchens—which is why planning how to decorate for fall in the kitchen can be the most fun part of seasonal decorating come September.
Now is the perfect time to whip out those specialty dishes that make each meal feel a little more magical. Don’t be afraid to go all out—you won’t regret buying those pumpkin-shaped bowls each time you enjoy a steamy fall soup this season or the set of ochre-colored dishes you use for every other meal until December.
At the same time, small scale changes can make all the difference too: When it comes to tea towels, swap out your summery linens for cozy waffle knits, and leave out fall candies like candy corn or Halloween M&M’s in snack dishes for you and your family to enjoy throughout the day. Fall tablecloths in patterns like orange and black buffalo plaid can also make a big impact when trying to figure out how to decorate for fall on a budget.
Of course, fall centerpieces don’t hurt either—whether you spruce up your counter with a selection of pumpkins and gourds or make your own bouquets with fall mums, pampas grass or cotton stems.
Here are some ways to spruce up your kitchen for the cooler months:
- Fall hand soaps: Sometimes just the scent of fall is enough to transform your space.
- Fall kitchen gear: Add autumnal flair with linens, bakeware and more.
- Pumpkin dinnerware: These dishes really will transform your kitchen. And how could you not smile every time you serve up a cozy comfort food dinner with these?
Fall Household Decor
Your kitchen isn’t the only place to think about when decorating. When you leave seasonal touches throughout every room in your home (even consider how to decorate your front door for fall!), you’ll get all the fall feels whether you’re cleaning, watching TV or getting ready for the day.
Just like in the kitchen, adding pumpkins and gourds (whether they’re white or orange, mini or full-size) to any room is an easy way to bring the outside in. More specifically, pumpkins are a classic option when considering how to decorate your mantel for fall. We rounded up options for where to buy pumpkins, whether you want to plan an afternoon at the pumpkin patch or just want to swing by the store for quick pickup.
After you bring home your pumpkins, the next most important concept to keep in mind for fall decorating is layering, layering and more layering! Don’t skimp on adding chunky knit blankets and fuzzy throw pillows to your couches to take cuddles to the next level.
If you still want to highlight your home’s existing style when planning how to decorate for fall, consider replacing a few of your current décor items, such as vases, jars, signs and artwork for ones in seasonal patterns and fall décor colors instead of adding more décor to your home. Burnt orange, ivory and other neutrals can act as a subtle nod to the season, or lean into colors like navy and maroon for more lush and bold fall feel.
In any space, light one of our picks for the best fall candles as a finishing touch and you’ll instantly make any room look (and smell!) cozier, whether you want your home to smell like a cinnamon stick or prefer a more sophisticated fall scent like amber.
Want even more autumnal touches to make your home extra cozy?
- Gifts for people that love fall: And it’s OK if that person is you! These are cute additions that you might not have thought of before—but won’t be able to go another October without.
- Apple-inspired goodies: If your favorite part of fall is the apple pie, check out these homey additions from candles to pie pans.
- Fall flowers: Flowers don’t stop just because there’s a chill in the air. Decorate your porch with fresh chrysanthemums or try dried flowers inside.
DIY Fall Decor
While it’s easy to order the cutest fall décor items online or in stores, don’t forget that you can make your own décor too.
While often more inexpensive, DIY décor can widen the possibilities for how to decorate for fall, too. Think: pumpkin-shaped soap in the bathroom, faux apples as candle holders for your side tables and homemade rustic jar toppers in the kitchen. Create floral arrangements with seasonal flowers like mums and sunflowers for a fresh pop of color, or take on some fall crafts for kids like leaf painting and food-inspired crafts like Oreo Rice Krispie turkeys.
Finally, you can’t leave out classic fall crafts like carving jack-o’-lanterns! If you need a refresher, here are some tips on how to carve a pumpkin, or if you’re an experienced carver wanting to try something new, here are some ideas for painting pumpkins if you want to skip the mess this year.
Want more DIY ideas? We’ve got ’em!
- Easy fall crafts for kids and parents: Start simple with these crafts featuring paper bats, acorns and more.
- DIY fall centerpieces: These are perfect for Thanksgiving and fall entertaining.
- Homemade wreaths: Welcome loved ones to your home with something you made yourself.
- Make your own fall decor: These ideas are just right for fall (and we bet you haven’t thought of these crafts yet).
How to Decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving
When learning how to decorate for fall, it’s tempting to rely on décor that will last you from September to November, but don’t forget that it’s fun to have some uber seasonal elements for the slew of fall holidays that we all look forward to.
While holiday-specific options can span all kinds of fall décor ideas, seasonal fall wreaths are especially perfect for welcoming guests into your home for holiday gatherings. Consider making your own harvest-themed wreath for September, a Halloween wreath for October, and a Thanksgiving-themed wreath for November to hang on your front door. Add a fall rug and you’ll be all done deciding how to decorate your front porch for fall (we’re partial to this popular “hello, pumpkin” rug).
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, planning Thanksgiving décor for not only your kitchen and dining areas but for your entire home will make your gathering more memorable for both you and your guests.
Choosing which theme and Thanksgiving table ideas you want to focus on ahead of time will help you feel more prepared, so you can focus on enjoying the holiday instead of your host or hostess duties the weeks and days before the get-together.
Learn how to set a table for Thanksgiving now, whether you need to know where exactly to place the salad plate at each setting (Hint: It goes right on top of the dinner plate) or you just need some ideas on what to include on a kids’ table.
Here are more ways to fill your home with harvest-time flair this Thanksgiving:
- Thanksgiving tablecloths: No doubt about it: You’ll want a good set of seasonal linens for the biggest dinner of the year.
- Thanksgiving table ideas: The table is the star of the show. Here are 40+ ways to style it right.
- All the Thanksgiving decor: Don’t skip from Halloween right to Christmas. These decorations prove it’s worth it to take a pause for this thankful season (and decorate the house right).
No matter how you choose how to decorate for fall, whether you want one-size-fits-all decor for the whole season or you want holiday-specific pieces every month, the options are endless—and endlessly festive!
Whip up some fall foods as you dream about how to decorate for fall!