Quick Tips for Early Fall Decorating

Living room with fall decorating and pumpkins

Photograph by Dustin Peck

Written by Autumn Krause

Ready to add fall flair to your home? Here are some of our top fall decorating tips for getting your house in the fall frame of mind.

fall front steps with pumpkins — Blogger Jessica Morgan of Itty Bitty Farmhouse decorated her fall porch with pumpkins and flowers usher guests up the steps and to the door, where Jessica’s pooch Alice awaits. Photograph by Dustin Peck.

Hello Pumpkin

This is the most obvious way to add fall decorating to your home. Use autumnal squashes to make centerpieces or to decorate your porch stairs. They come in different sizes and colors, so opt for a variety. And don’t just stop at regular pumpkins. Add squashes, as well as a variety of pumpkins like fairy tale, which is white.

Nina is a master of upcycled fall decor. Her rustic wood coffee table looks beautiful in contrast with her white couch with an orange pillow accent. — Homeowner Nina Hendrick’s fresh white furniture and pillows are balanced with distressed wood and natural-looking branches. This gives her home a charming farmhouse look that never strays over too far into chic or shabby. Photograph by Nina Hendrick.

Just Add Pillows

Not sure where to start with your fall decorating? Just add pillows. Indoors and out, any seating area will look cozier with more cushions. For a bonus, add cute fall pillows. But you could also stick with pillows that have a lot of pattern and texture (think plaid and knits) for your fall decorating.

Jessica Morgan Itty Bitty Farmhouse deck — Jessica’s outdoor living space is cozy because of the blankets, pillows, rug and cup of warm tea. Photograph by Dustin Peck.

Call for Cozy

Cozy may seem like an ambiguous phrase for fall decorating, but you can make this a reality with anything that adds softness and light. Create a quaint environment with candles and fresh fall flowers. Put candlesticks in gold tapers and nestle flowers in baskets or galvanized tins. Extra throw blankets and pillows also create a cozy vibe.

Connecticut home bedroom — The bedroom of this cozy Connecticut fall home achieves a heavenly aesthetic. Light trickles in through the skylight, and illuminates the white-on-white room, filled with white curtains and linens. Photograph by Rikki Snyder.

Texturize Your Fall Decorating

Texture means anything that feels interesting to your fingers. Smooth and rough, soft and hard, bumpy or straight. That’s why we love so many patterns during fall. Chunky throw blankets in plaid prints and earth tones say fall, and will help you ward off October chills in comfort and style.

Beautiful outdoor fall table — Food is essential to everyday life, but eating seasonally is especially fun during the fall. Focus on your tablescape this fall for extra fall decorating. Photograph and styling by Lana Stenner.

Fall Foods

Eat seasonally, especially during the fall. Anything pumpkin or pumpkin spice-flavored is a must. Also, piping hot cider garnished with cinnamon sticks, and hot foods like stews will warm guests from the inside out. Focus on your tablescape this season to add to your food-focused fall decorating.

Counter Points: Countertop Pros and Cons

fall outdoor place setting — Jessica Morgan adds to her tablescape with many layers, including vintage books, fall leaves, linens and other decor items. Photo by Dustin Peck.

Layering with Fall Decorating

Think in layers when it comes to your tablescape and other fall decorating. From tablecloths and linens to candles, varying pumpkin sizes and vintage collectibles, this is the time to add to your fall decorating. Layered linens add a sense of depth and fall fun to your table décor. And don’t forget to add lots of cozy texture and other elements to your mantel this season.

Feeling the fall coziness? Read Neutral Fall Decor for Your Farmhouse and Rustic Fall Decor For Farmhouse Style for more fall decor ideas! Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!