35 Ways to Decorate for Fall When You’re Sick of Pumpkins

Beautify your autumn home, with nary an orange gourd in sight.

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Novel Ideas

istockphoto.com

With cooler weather comes changing colors—and our favorite fall holidays. In this moment when many revelers are still adjusting to the “new normal,” change is in the air—so why not consider revamping your traditional seasonal decor? This year, set your inner DIYer free with these original ideas for autumn decor.

A New Leaf

abeautifulmess.com

Life can definitely be messy, but joy is in the details—like this handmade leaf garland by the DIYers at A Beautiful Mess. Spend a little time cutting, stitching, and reveling in good old-fashioned fun!

Related: 50 Fall Decor Updates for $5, $15, $30

Warm Up


aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com

Jo-Anna Rooney, blogger at A Pretty Life, has found a way to remake old sweaters into candle holders. The end result is a cozy mantelpiece arrangement, which you can complement with apples, sunflowers, and fall leaves for the ultimate seasonal display.

Related: 14 New Uses for Old Candles

Looking Good in Leather

cherishedbliss.com

Seeking a more modern, minimal approach to fall decor? Cherished Bliss’ leather wreath conveys elegant autumn vibes. With four inexpensive elements and less than an hour, your door will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Natural Touches

makelifelovely.com

Laura, who blog at Make Life Lovely, lives in California—but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy fall. She has invented a long-lasting alternative to floral wreaths that can usher in the season no matter where you live.

Fall Florals

cupcakesandcashmere.com

Ease off the mini pumpkins, but continue to mix florals and fall produce. That’s the advice from Cupcakes and Cashmere blogger, Emily. Artichokes, pomegranates, persimmons, squash, and apples are not only good to eat, but can take the place of honor as your centerpiece.

Modern Wall Decor

homeyohmy.com

Who said wreaths must be round? Upend tradition and blend natural textures and foliage for stunning decoration, courtesy of Homey Oh My. With a few tricks and tools, wooden dowels and beads are transformed into wall art.

Related: Weekend Projects: DIY Thanksgiving Decor

Mantel Display

landeeseelandeedo.com

Your mantelpiece can be the focal point for seasonal celebrations. For inspiration, turn to Landee’s blog, where she shows you how to upgrade your fall palette with creams, corals, and a touch of black.

Paper Cut Lanterns

liagriffith.com

We love Lia Griffith’s paper cut-out lanterns. A paper cutting machine makes the job easier, but there are plenty of hand-cut options as well, including leaf patterns and Halloween graveyard scenes.

Stenciled Slices

unoriginalmom.com

Perhaps you fancy just a touch of fall in your living room. If so, handmade coasters are an easy and subtle way to add some seasonality to your home. Wood slices can be stenciled with anything from monogrammed initials to stag’s heads. Great as gifts too.

Country Chic

lollyjane.com

Ready to welcome fall? Make it official with this “Happy Fall” sign, designed by Kelli and Kristi of the Lolly Jane blog, Simply print the stencil and follow the sisters’ how-to instructions.

Mums Aplenty

simplydesigning.porch.com

Learn a quick and easy way to rearrange your entryway for fall, with tips from Ashley Phillips of Simply Designing. With colorful mums, throw pillows, and a printable sign, your entryway can be the first sign that seasons are changing.

Roadside Signs

anightowlblog.com

Tell your own fall story with a vignette—an intentional grouping of objects that brings charm and coziness to any space. Blogger Kimberly Sneed of A Night Owl created a fresh, farmer’s market vignette, perfect for a porch or front stoop.

Wheat Bouquet

faeriesandfauna.com

Simple is often best where crafting is concerned. Learn how to properly dry wheat, with this easy-to-follow guide by Leanna of Faeries and Fauna. Once fully dry, wrap the stalks in twine for beautiful, elegant wheat bundles. Enjoy all season long!

Handmade Candle Holders

gardentherapy.com

Fall leaves and burlap get an update with Garden Therapy’s
rustic candle holders. While these glowing votives would be beautiful inside, they are especially appropriate for an outdoor setting, like an early fall garden party.

Plush Pompoms

liagriffith.com

Fall is all about memories and nostalgia, so find a project that you can do with your kids—like these pompom garlands. Lia Griffith lists all the materials and instructions on her blog, so all you have to do is set up a table and begin crafting.

Fall Wheelbarrow

homemadebycarmona.com

Want to create some fun fall decor, but need a few pointers? The Home Depot offers free classes to help you improve your skills and complete seasonal projects, including a fall wheelbarrow, like this one made by Home Made by Carmona.

Acorn Display

triedandtrueblog.com

In many cultures, acorns signal long life. Bring nature’s blessings to your home with an acorn wreath. It’s easy to create by following the how-to instructions at Tried & True.

Turn of Phrase

abeautifulmess.com

Welcome the season—and family and friends—to your home with a playful fall garland. Just choose your words, then follow the helpful steps provided by the bloggers at A Beautiful Mess.

Fall Tablescape

homemadebycarmona.com

Get Thanksgiving conversations rolling with a Q&A dinner game that doubles as a tablescape. With a little help from Home Made by Carmona, you’ll never have to sit through awkward family small talk again.

A Little Flair

asubtlerevelry.com

Fall’s beauty lies in nature’s changing hues—so why not make the most of those red and gold leaves? The party expert at A Subtle Revelry has an easy solution: Paint dried fall leaves with gold or silver paint.

Wheat Sheaf Votives

danslelakehouse.com

Make homemade soy candles to use in your own home—or to give as holiday gifts and party favors. That’s the advice offered by Tanya, on her blog Dans le Lakehouse. Pour candles in a variety of vintage vessels, including tea cups and glass votive holders.

Rustic Wood Slices

chatfieldcourt.com

Create simple, elegant candle holders using birch logs. Kristi, who blogs at Chatfield Court, offers helpful instructions, plus some real life advice for managing holiday stress through crafting.

Custom Napkin Rings

cherishedbliss.com

Thanksgiving is the perfect excuse to break out the fine china and cloth napkins. Boost your table’s visual appeal with fall leaf napkin rings. The DIYer at Cherished Bliss recommends using Apple Barrel’s acrylic paint set, but feel free to experiment with your own paints and materials.

Related: Set the Thanksgiving Table with 20 Budget Buys

Acorn Appliqué

liagriffith.com

Don’t bother buying expensive seasonal decor, like pillows. Instead, spruce up old cushions with felt appliques. Lia Griffith shows you how, and once you learn the technique, you can design your own.

Related: In Living Color: 7 Tips for Brightening Your Home’s Palette

Wood Slice Wreath

twelveonmain.com

This wooden wreath idea from Twelve on Main will never wilt—and can last for years to come. Wood slices and burlap ribbon combine for a natural look that will add a dash of country charm to your urban retreat.

Ornamental Acorns

makelifelovely.com

If you fill a bowl with these gilded acorns, just make sure no one eats them! The blogger at Make Life Lovely suggests that this is one project that anyone can attempt.

Colorful Cake Stand

realitydaydream.com

Bethany Sy reinvented the humble cake stand, and found a new purpose for dried Indian corn when she created this handmade home good. Check her blog post on Reality Daydream for the full tutorial.

Harvest Grain Display

ohmy-creative.com

Put an autumnal twist on traditional Mason jars by channeling Susan B’s ideas for Oh My! Creative. The colors and materials both signal fall—burnt orange burlap, wheat stalks, and raffia.

Related: Say Hello to Fall with 21 Quick and Easy DIYs

Wrap Around

apieceofrainbow.com

Even if you only have 10 minutes, you can still decorate your home for fall. All you need are faux flowers, a wicker wreath and this tutorial from A Piece of Rainbow. No glue gun or wire required.

Wicker Balls

istockphoto.com

Place these wicker balls on your coffee table as a low-key, natural centerpiece. Compliment with dried pomegranates, poppy pods, and potpourri for a subtle, aromatic sign of the season.

Hoop of Fruit

lovecreatecelebrate.com

Your choice of wreath says a lot about your style and personality. If you’re a blend of modern chic and traditional charm, make this embroidery hoop wreath. Find the full instructions in the video tutorial at Love, Create, Celebrate.

Cinnamon Stick Candles

homestoriesatoz.com

If you love the scents of fall—crisp nights, burning logs, baking spices—but hate artificial fragrances, these cinnamon stick candles are for you. Designed by Beth for Home Stories A to Z, these DIY displays will entice guests with fragrance and warmth.

Light and Levity

intelligentdomestications.com

You can’t get any easier than this popcorn candle holder. All you need is unpopped corn, a glass candle holder, and a candle. You can also play around with dried kidney beans and split peas for other colors and textures—just don’t mix them together, warns DIY expert Shirley, who blogs at Intelligent Domestications.

Faux or Fresh

apieceofrainbow.com

Do you have 30 minutes? Use your time to good effect and design a fall planter for your patio or entryway. The blogger at A Piece of Rainbow has provided a tutorial video and step-by-step instructions to help you create your own gorgeous botanical arrangement.

Orange Accents

fourgenerationsoneroof.com

Sometimes, decorating can be as easy as changing your cushions. Jessica Bruno of Four Generations Under One Roof proved that point when she designed this fall-inspired room, using a neutral white palette and burnt orange accents.

Fall Decor Delights

bobvila.com

Fall decor is about so much more than jack-o-lanterns.

 
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