10 Easy and Natural Fall Decor Ideas

It’s almost fall — the season well-adored by pumpkin-spice aficionados and fans of all things spooky. Sandwiched between the sunny vibes of summer and the jingle bells of Christmas, fall is the perfect opportunity to slow down and cozy up. 

From the smell of apple pie, to cinnamon, musk, and anything pumpkin-flavored, fall is a season that’s definitely defined by its smells… and with these easy decor ideas, you can make sure the magic of the season continues even after you walk into your home. 

What Are Decorating Tips for Easy Fall Home Decor?

Decorating your home for the seasons shouldn’t be time-consuming or break the bank. These ten simple decorating tips will help you embrace the essence of fall in your home and have it in full autumn mode in no time. 

1. Incorporate Natural Elements

Some of the most distinctive elements of fall are the fruits, vegetables, and plants that thrive at this time of year. 

Keep an eye out for pumpkins, gourds, acorns, pinecones, and fall mums you can use to decorate your entryway or front step and different areas throughout your home. (And for an extra level of fall fun, head to a pumpkin patch to pick out your decor.)

If you’re worried about keeping mums alive or keeping your pumpkins in good shape over time, you can look for faux versions instead — if you ask us, the best part about using plastic or ceramic versions of pumpkins, gourds, and other natural elements is that you can reuse them year after year. 

2. Focus on Fall Colors

When it comes to decorating your home for fall, one of the most important things to keep in mind is your color palette. 

More than any other season, fall has an extremely distinct color palette (thanks to the fall foliage, mainly). Shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown are iconic fall shades, and you should keep these in mind as you look for different decor items. 

For a more traditional take on fall decor, you can try to incorporate all of these colors. However, if you want to do something a little bit more distinct with your home this year, you can focus on one color or, for a more minimalist look, decorate primarily with white and earth tones, throwing in a pop of color here and there. 

3. Indulge in Fall Fragrances

Another crucial element of fall decor is fragrance. Thanks to all of the signature lattes and baked goods that have come to define this season, there’s several scents that are undeniably autumnal. If you’re looking to indulge in a few delicious fall-scented candles from Snif, we recommend the following: 

• Pumpkin Smash: With pumpkin spice, cinnamon, cardamom, whiskey, and salted maple, this pumpkin candle brings you the best of autumn.

• Apple Cider Smash: With sparkling apple cider, honeycrisp apple, warm donut accord, cinnamon sugar, caramel glaze, and Madagascar vanilla, this smashing burn will bring you straight to a crisp day at the orchard, fresh cider and cinnamon sugar donut in hand.
• Instant Karma: Indulge in a dark, dreamy scent with Instant Karma. This cardamom candle blends cardamom with cinnamon, vetiver, and black plum for a spicy, warm, and sensual burn perfect for a cozy night in. 
• Off the Grid: Snuggle up with Off the Grid, a warm and calming candle that blends amber, lily, musk, and sandalwood that’s perfect for an unplugged evening.

Think about the placement of your scented candles, too — a more gourmand fragrance like Pumpkin Smash or Apple Cider Smash can work wonders in and around your kitchen. 

A darker, cozy scent like Instant Karma might be more ideal for your bedroom, helping you unwind and relax, while Off the Grid is the kind of candle you may want to try burning in your bathroom or laundry room because the sandalwood gives it a spa-like vibe. 

4. Coffee Table Books

With a Snif candle lit, the only thing your fall living room is missing are some themed coffee table books. 

The benefit of having a few different coffee table books on rotation in your living room is that they can subtly change the vibe of the space… and all you have to do is swap out the collection on display when the seasons change. 

For fall, try to look for coffee table books with photos of foliage, classic fall dishes, or scenic walks you can take in autumn. Or, for an easier route, just choose a handful of books with fall-colored, aesthetically pleasing covers. 

5. Pillow Covers and Throw Blankets

There’s nothing better than snuggling up to watch a few episodes of the latest show or start the book you were meaning to read all summer long. And if you ask us, that’s why part of your fall decor should absolutely include themed pillow covers and throw blankets. 

Stick within the fall color palette when you’re looking for these. Given that fall is a time associated with comfort and coziness, don’t be afraid to experiment with different textures. A knit blanket or a sherpa pillow can add texture to your living room or bedroom and make the space even more inviting. 

6. Fall Wreaths

Another easy way to incorporate some natural elements into your home decor is with fall wreaths. Wreaths are a classic fall centerpiece that will give the doors in your home an unmistakable fall feel. When shopping around for a fall wreath, you have two options. You can either buy a premade wreath or DIY your own. 

To make a wreath at home you’ll need floral wire, floral tape, straight pins, craft glue, needle-nose pliers, and work gloves. You’ll need to shape the wire first then layer and attach bundles of pinecones, flowers, leaves, etc. 

For an indoor wreath, you may want to go with fake plants because they are often easier to manipulate and will last longer. If you do choose to DIY your wreath with plastic twigs and leaves, make sure to preserve it well so that you can use it year after year. 

7. Fall Tablescapes

We can’t talk about fall without mentioning one of the best holidays of the year: Thanksgiving. 

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, you can add some extra fall flair to your dining room with some autumnal table decor. Using a collection of pumpkins, candles, leaves, and all your favorite fall things, you can make a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.

But don’t save all the festivity just for Thanksgiving! You can start putting together your fall table centerpieces as soon as the season starts and simply add one extra special element when Thanksgiving rolls around. With your centerpieces made, you can start to think about an autumn-inspired table setting for your guests. 

8. Front Door Wreaths

Although it’s all too easy to get lost in the world of fall fragrances and cozy blankets, make sure not to neglect your outdoor fall decor this year. Just like with the indoor wreaths, you can either buy or DIY a wreath for your front door. If you choose to DIY, you may want to incorporate some of the beautiful fall leaves into its design. 

Keep in mind that your front door wreath will be the first thing that you and your loved ones see when you take them on a fall home tour to admire all your decorations. That said, treat it like a book cover. It should be eye-catching, bright, and mimic the aesthetic of your home decor to give guests a taste of what’s to come. 

9. Front Porch Decor

Regardless of if you have a porch, patio, balcony, or terrace, if you have outdoor space, then it deserves a little bit of fall love too. Fall porch decor can go in a few different ways depending on the vibe you’re going for. 

If you want a more chic, minimalist look, you can place a collection of white pumpkins and white mums. For a more classic fall porch, set out an array of pumpkins, gourds, and mums. For a spooky take on autumn porch decorating, mix some Halloween decorations in with your plants.

10. Halloween Decorations

Speaking of Halloween decorations, we can’t conclude our list without mentioning this staple of fall decor. Both indoors and outdoors, nothing conjures the feeling of fall like a few well placed skeletons and skulls. 

Keep in mind that the concept of DIY fall decor can absolutely extend to Halloween decorations. With a trip or two to the craft store and the thrift store you can find everything you need to make Jack-O-Lanterns, ghost decorations for the yard, mummy-inspired candle holders, and more. 

Where To Find More Fall Decor Inspiration

Beyond this list, when you’re looking for more home decor ideas this fall, there are a few places you can turn. This section will focus on a few different sources for fall inspo that will get your creative juices flowing and in the mood to fall-ify your home.

Movies and Books

When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to rely on your favorite movies and books. Watching classic movies with scenes set in the fall, like Mystic Pizza, Autumn in New York, Hocus Pocus, Little Women, and Dead Poets Society, will get you in the mood for fall and remind you of all the things you love about this nostalgic season. 

Books like Dracula, Coraline, and Practical Magic can cast a similar spell if you’re more of a literary type. 

Go Shopping

If you’re one of those people who hates to go shopping without a list, we totally understand. That being said, going shopping can sometimes be the best way to get inspo for seasonal decor. Several stores have fall sections where they display different products that can help you imagine what you want in your space. 

To go shopping with the goal of just getting inspired, create a list of the stores you think will have the most fabulous fall decorations. As you walk through the store, take photos of everything that piques your interest. 

Once you’re home, make a mood board of all your favorite fall decorations that you saw so you know what style you want to go for this year. Sort through any decorations you already have and make a list of what you’ll need to make this your best fall yet. 

Step Outside

Beyond movies, books, and shops, sometimes the best way to find inspo for fall is to witness it firsthand. Any chance you have to enjoy the beauty of fall and connect with nature is a great way to get inspired. 

If you notice that you can’t stop pointing out the bright orange leaves you’re seeing, then maybe you’ll want to have a more reddish orange palette in your home this year. If the purples and browns in leaves and flowers are more alluring this year, then you know what to look out for as you shop for decorations. While you’re out enjoying the beauty of the fall weather and colors, also pay attention to the smells you love.

Give Your Home a Cozy Fall Makeover

It’s about to be the time of year defined by changing leaves, your favorite cable-knit sweater, and endless pumpkin desserts, and you’re officially ready to give your home a makeover to match. 

Lean into the fall color palette, prioritize coziness, and embrace all the most iconic fall fragrances to bring some of the magic inside. If you’re looking for inspo for your indoor or outdoor decorations, rewatch some of your favorite fall classics and go for a long walk to reconnect with the vibe of the season. Once you have an idea in mind, put a pie in the oven and start decorating.

Sources:

Caring for Your Fall Mums | N.C. Cooperative Extension

The Science of Fall Foliage and Climate Change | UVM Expert

Favorite Fall Foliage Hikes | The Trustees of Reservations

Five reasons to get outside this season | LiveMoreYHA