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

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.

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

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: 20 New Uses for Old Candles

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.

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.

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.

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: 10 Easy DIY Thanksgiving Decorations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 35 Fresh and Festive Ways to Dress Up Your Thanksgiving Table

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: The 16 Best Accent Wall Colors

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.

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.

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.

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: 30 DIY Home Projects Absolutely Anyone Can Do

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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