--- title: "8 Ways to Use Straw Bales for Festive and Functional Outdoor Decor" description: "Straw bales, the perennial sign of fall, have become very popular for decorating and gardening. Here are 8 decorative straw bale ideas." date: "2012-10-19" modified: "2024-07-26" authors: - name: "Jennifer Noonan" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jennifer-noonan/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/straw-bale-diy/" categories: - "Curb Appeal" - "Exterior" tags: - "decor" - "holiday" - "plant" --- # 8 Ways to Use Straw Bales for Festive and Functional Outdoor Decor ![decorative straw bale ideas]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* For about $5 to $10 you can pick up a bale of straw at your local hardware store or nursery. That means you can have a lot of fun without threshing your wallet. Once your bale has served its purpose, it can be broken up in your compost pile or strewn to protect your [planting beds]() during winter. ## Hay Bale Decorating Ideas You Should Try This Fall Add festive curb appeal to your front yard, assemble cheap sectional seating in your backyard, or even grow a pint-size garden—the possibilities with hay bales are seemingly endless. Let the following ideas inspire your next hay bale DIY project. ### 1. Decorative Straw Bale Curb Appeal ![straw bale decor for curb appeal]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Talk about [curb appeal](), the hay bale in front of this entryway leads guests into the home in such an inviting way. With the addition of pumpkins, gourds, and even a little outdoor lantern, the fall vibe is on point. And (bonus!) the straw bale doubles as a seat for slipping shoes on and off. ### 2. Hay Bale Seating ![straw bale wedding seating]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* For large outdoor events such as graduation parties, baby showers, or even weddings and receptions, straw bales are a cost-effective way to instantly add more chairs. Line up several rows for a formal look or arrange them randomly to encourage conversation—either way, incorporating straw bales into your outdoor space will ensure that everyone has a seat when needed. A more intimate option is to create a temporary straw bale sofa that you can enjoy all season long (see photo at the top of the page). Add a coffee table and side tables—perfect for resting a glass of ice tea or lemonade—using [pallets]() or cinder blocks to complete the harvest scene. **RELATED: [Fall Home Maintenance Checklist]()** ### 3. Straw Bale Planter ![straw bale planter]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Proof that you don’t have to live on a country road to decorate with hay bales, this urban container garden was made by flipping a small round straw bale on its side and hollowing out enough space in the center to hold a bunch of colorful flowers. You could add [potting soil]() and plant directly in the straw bale, or simply nestle a small planter inside. A straw bale planter like the one shown here will add a touch of nature to any front stoop; and when the season's over, you can toss the whole works into your [compost]() pile or break down the bale into mulch for winterizing your larger plant beds. ### 4. Straw Bale Gardening ![straw bale gardening]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* If you want to take a straw bale planter to the next level, you can actually [plant an entire garden within straw bales](). Hay bale gardening is great for those with poor soil or limited space, or even people who have physical limitations that make gardening at ground level a challenge. It’s a low-cost and flexible method for gardening and can be attempted by gardeners of all levels of experience. **RELATED: [What Is the No-Dig Gardening Method, and Why You Should Try it This Spring]()** ### 5. Hay Bale Holiday Decorations ![hay bale holiday decor straw bale decoration]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Fall is, of course, the most popular time of year for decorating with hay bales. They go so well with pumpkins, squash, mums, dried corn stalks, and more, as shown in this photo. But, once those straw bales have been used for Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities, they can be repurposed for winter holiday decor, too. Red tulle, a couple of potted evergreens, and maybe even a few mock presents would turn these bales into a rustic and cheery Christmas display. ### 6. Home for Chickens ![straw bales for chickens and chicken coop]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Whether you live on a farm or have a [coop]() in the backyard, straw bales are essential for raising chickens. They provide warmth and a soft bed for laying eggs; and because of their sturdy structure, hay bales are great for making temporary walls or small rooms for corralling your feathered friends. ### 7. Straw Bale Maze ![staw bale maze]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Stack ‘em high as shown in this photo and you can create an epic hay bale maze for hours of fun in the fall. For safety, be sure to use large bales and secure them to each other and the ground using sturdy stakes. That way they won’t topple if your maze participants get a little too rowdy. ### 8. Scarecrow Made of Straw ![decorative straw bales with straw scarecrow]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* If you prefer old school fall decor, you can’t go wrong with a hay-stuffed scarecrow. The one shown here is propped on top of a trio of bales, fringed with faux fall leaves. A colorful container of flowers up front completes the festive outdoor decor that would look great on any porch or patio. **RELATED: [Bob Vila’s Definitive Lawn Care Calendar]()** ## FAQs ![decorative straw bales]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* ## Final Thoughts Whether you use them for seasonal decor on your front porch or turn them into a hardworking vegetable garden in your backyard, straw bales provide an easy and inexpensive vehicle for fall fun. ### For more DIY ideas, consider: [9 Easy-to-Make Garden Luminaries]() [5 Things to Do... With Apple Crates]() [The Best Self-Watering Planters for Low-Maintenance Gardens, Tested]() ## Author A confessed DIY junkie, Jennifer Noonan writes about home improvement, gardening, and all things do-it-yourself. The recipient of degrees in International Relations and Library & Information Science from Syracuse University, Noonan has worked in media and related fields for over 15 years, including her time at [MTV Networks](), where she served as Manager of Digital Programming at [Nickelodeon](). Today, Noonan lives in Delaware with her husband and daughters, where she is ardently teaching the next generation how to use power tools. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()