How To Decorate Your Home For Fall On A Budget
Is anyone else struggling to comprehend
how it’s fall? And not only that, but like that we’re deep into the middle of fall??! Just me? Ok, cool. Probably explains why I’m getting this post up a bit late in the game, but nevertheless, here we are.
I know a lot of people are quick to bypass fall decor and skip straight from summer to holidays, but I am definitely not one of those people. In fact, fall is actually one of my favorite times of year to decorate for a few reasons. I love how it kind of sets the tone and stage for a fresh new season. I also appreciate how fall decor is more simple, minimalistic and clean. I love how it makes everything feel warm and cozy, and smell heavenly. And, of course, I always appreciate how decorating for fall doesn’t require a ton of time, effort, a lot of things, or a huge budget. Emphasis on that budget part because let’s be real, who wants to spend a lot on decor for fall, when you know fall is immediately followed up by one of the most expensive decorating seasons of the year (aka the holidays)?!
Trust me. There’s plenty of autumnal bounty around to ensure no budgets are broken, or retirement funds dipped into, but that your home still looks cute and cozy from the beginning of fall straight on through to Thanksgiving.
How To Decorate Your Home For Fall On A Budget
Here are a few of my simple, affordable, easy and accessible go-to fall decorating ideas
FORAGING
Foraging for fall decor, and taking advantage of nature’s beautiful bounty, has to be my favorite way to decorate for fall. Depending on where you live, you can collect everything from pine cones to acorns to colorful fall leaves to branches (I love everything from maple branches to olive branches and even bare branches look great, in my opinion).
SIMPLE BRANCHES
It doesn’t get, well, more simple than this. Branches in a vase. Minimal, easy, elevated, chic. I got my branches on Amazon, but you can also find them at your local craft store, like a Michael’s. I love how well they pair with more natural vases, but feel free to use any vase, jar, or even tall glass of your choice. Then place on an entry table, as a centerpiece, on a coffee table, or even on a bedside. Such an easy way to get an earthy, fall vibe and decorate your home for the season.
FALL FLORALS
Fall colored florals are another simple way to add natural tones, textures and fall colors to your home. I love grabbing mine at Trader Joe’s as it’s super affordable, but you can also check your local flower market and farmer’s markets for more great options. I especially love fall flowers as they’re a bit more natural and imperfect so there’s really no need to make perfectly styled bouquets. In fact, I think when it comes to fall florals, the more imperfect, the better. Just feels more earthy and natural and fitting for the season. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s an older post I did on fall flower arrangements.
PUMPKINS + GOURDS
I know what you’re thinking. Duh. Pumpkins, gourds and squash are kind of a fall given. But as OG fall decor, I felt like they still deserved a spot on this list. My biggest tip here is to skip the pumpkin patch (Yes, I know it’s fun, but, depending on where you live and how many pumpkins you buy, visiting a pumpkin patch can cost you the same amount as visiting another country!) and buy your pumpkins at Trader Joe’s instead. They always have such a wonderful selection, from standard pumpkins to white pumpkins to different gourds and different shapes and size and their prices are super budget friendly.
SEASONAL FRUIT
Apples, pears, persimmons, pomegranates, figs, black grapes…pick your favorite seasonal fruit(s), arrange them in a wooden bowl or on a ceramic platter and use it as a centerpiece that is simple, affordable and delicious.
CANDLES
Sure, candles can get pretty pricey these days depending on where you buy them, but there are still plenty of affordable options that are perfect for fall. I love black taper candles, beeswax candles, any candles that come in funky shapes, and, of course warm and cozy scented ones. I have a list of some of my favorite fall candles here, but a few of my go-to places to find affordable, fall scented candles includes Target (I’m especially loving this one right now!), Home Goods, World Market and Amazon.
CHEESECLOTH
Cheesecloth is one of my most inexpensive fall decorating hacks. I love the natural texture and tone, it’s easy to stretch, drape or cut, as needed, and it’s super cheap. It works well for creating either a rustic, earthy scene or a spooky vibe (Anyone else remember making cheesecloth ghosts as a kid?!). I personally love draping it across the top of a fireplace mantel or entry table top before adding candles, branches, pumpkins, etc. It also makes a great free-form table runner, loosely draped in the middle of the table, over a neutral linen tablecloth, and then sprinkled with other seasonal decor, like a fall leaf here or there, some acorns, a few branches and one of those bowls of fall fruit I mentioned above.
THRIFTING
It’s no secret how much I love a good thrifting session, but no more so than when it comes to finding cheap fall decor. Not only can you find great fall pieces and fall colored things, thrift stores are also a great place to find wooden bowls, dishes for creating centerpieces, vases and vessels for floral arrangements or branches, vintage books and records that are great for stacking on shelves then topping with something like a pumpkin as well as pieces you can use to create DIY decorations.
OLD BOOKS
I love stacking old tan/brown/fall colored books on shelves, entry tables or coffee tables, then topping with something like a wooden bowl of gourds, a small pumpkin, a paper mache bowl or a mini fall floral arrangement. Also, if you prefer your books to have a more uniform looks and/or can’t find old books you like, simply wrap your books in brown kraft paper before stacking them up.
DIY PROJECTS
I love using what I have to create easy DIY decor. For example, on of my favorites things to do is use old paper to make a DIY Paper Mâché Pulp Bowl to use as rustic centerpieces, or giving old vases and vessels a rustic makeover. And if you don’t have anything on-hand, scope out places like your local dollar store or thrift stores to find pieces to create cheap diy fall decorations.
UPCYCLE WHAT YOU HAVE
Last but not least, think about decor that you have for other holidays and how you can transform it into decor for fall. For example, the grapevine wreath that I use to build my holiday wreath (seen here) works perfectly, as-is, as a simple, rustic fall wreath.
SHOP FALL DECOR
