This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement for details.
Easy fall DIY decorating ideas that are budget-friendly and quick. Cozy up your rooms in no time with these tips and tricks!
Sometimes when a new season rolls around, I tend to get a little nervous. I wonder if I will be able to come up with something new to share…because you all deserve ideas that are different, simple to do, and wonderful.
The bones of our living spaces haven’t really changed for a long time…not since we installed our hardwood floors. It can be a challenge to make it all look fresh and new. The fact that everything is neutral allows me to easily introduce seasonal decor, so when I’m itching for an update, that’s where I direct my focus. By simply adding autumn flowers and accessories, the feel of our home is now completely different than it was during the summer months.
*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.
Fall DIY Decorating Ideas
This fall I concentrated on our living room and dining room, and came up with simple and budget-friendly updates that anyone can do. These are fall DIY decorating ideas that require no special skills. Nothing is over-the-top, and I promise this is all very easy. Also, at the end of the post, some of my friends are sharing their fall decor ideas, so make sure to take a look when you get there.
Fresh Flowers & Natural Elements
The first thing I did was buy some fresh flowers and seeded eucalyptus from a local grocery store. The next step was cutting some limelight hydrangeas from the bushes in our front yard. They are beginning to dry, and are starting to turn a lovely shade of green. I know fresh flowers are a temporary thing, but whether you have one arrangement or five, they will make such a difference. Everything was instantly more cheerful, and the flowers looked so pretty that it motivated me to keep going. Here are some ideas that, in any combination, make perfect fall arrangements:
- sunflowers
- hydrangeas
- chrysanthemums
- dahlias
- roses (ivory or salmon)
- gerbera daisies (yellow, copper, orange)
- dianthus
- add-ins: eucalyptus, hypericum berries, dried wheat, cotton bolls
Soft Furnishings
After a lovely couple of hours arranging flowers, there were three arrangements to sprinkle around our rooms. One was placed on the dining room table, and the other two found a home in the living room. After that, I directed my attention towards pillows and throws. The inexpensive pillow covers on the sofa are neutral, so they can be used anytime. The little orange lumbar pillow was an impulse buy, but one I am glad I made! If you have neutral chairs, like our ivory tufted ones, the simple addition of pillows in autumn tones makes all the difference. The little plaid pillows will most likely make an appearance again next year, but instead of being inside, they will find a home on our porch! To bring in even more coziness and texture, add a throw blanket or two.
New Season-Specific Accessories
Here is where it’s a good idea, and it makes things very simple, to concentrate on your most important display areas. Some examples are a console table, coffee table, a mantel, free-standing or built-in shelves, or even a glass-front cabinet. Decide where you are going to focus your attention, and introduce the colors of the season. My display areas are limited, so I always add seasonal style to our living room shelves, our coffee table, and the antique chest that sits at the end of the room. In the dining room, I concentrate on a centerpiece for the table. Go all out, or add just a few small touches. Either way, it’s a perfect way to update your existing decor, without completely reinventing the wheel.
Tip: Gather your fall decor items together. If they are in bins, just take the lids off so you can see what you have. Pull out what you want to use, and put it all on a table, or in a group on the floor. This makes it so much easier to actually see what you have to work with. Don’t forget to include your fresh flower arrangements.
My one big splurge this year was on new pumpkins. My pumpkins have been around for a while, and I thought it was high time my collection was updated. I looked around online, and finally settled on these fuzzy pumpkins in ivory, pale orange, and gold. The muted colors add softness, and the sizes are perfect. They come in pairs, and you can check them out {HERE.}
A Fall Dough Bowl
Dough bowls are the quintessential seasonal decor accessory, and they work with many different styles. They are so versatile, and can be reinvented again and again. The first thing I did was place my dough bowl on the coffee table. This was the “jumping off” point for the rest of the decor. Elements of the dough bowl design would be repeated on our shelves, the antique dresser, and the dining room table.
There are no rules for assembling a dough bowl…but here are some tips and tricks that will make it easier!
- Place your dough bowl where it’s going to live. Once assembled, they are often difficult to move.
- It’s completely optional, but I chose to place a vintage tea towel in the bottom of my bowl. It’s an easy way to incorporate more color, plus the fabric adds extra interest and texture.
- Begin with a “nest.” My favorite nesting material is fresh or faux greenery, in this case, seeded eucalyptus. Literally anything will work, even clippings from your yard.
- Begin by placing the greenery, stems to the middle, on each end of your dough bowl. Make sure to let some of the greenery fall over the edges.
- If your bowl is long enough, you can add another layer to the nest. I chose faux cotton bolls, but again, any floral element will work. Place this next layer, stems to the middle, on top of the greenery.
- The middle of the dough bowl is where you can have fun. Try to use items that are different sizes, colors, and shapes.
So there you have it. Pops of color sprinkled around our rooms, fresh flowers, new pillows, and some cute new pumpkins. Really not all that much, but these small touches absolutely refreshed the space, and added coziness at the same time.
Fall DIY Decorating Resource Guide
- ivory tufted chairs
- coffee table & end tables
- lamps (similar)
- basket tray on lower coffee table shelf
- pumpkins
- striped pillows on sofa
- fresh local pumpkins pillow
- plaid pillows on chairs in copper
- throw blanket in cream/blush
- dough bowl
- tray on shelves
- long dough bowl on shelves
- small colorful plates on wall
- lamp on chest (similar)
- living room rug in beige/ivory
Now here’s what my friends are sharing…
Designthusiasm | On Sutton Place | Southern Hospitality
Shabbyfufu | Maison de Cinq | StoneGable
Thank you for stopping by. Many of you have told me that you enjoy receiving my Sunday posts, and I’m very glad. I love them too, so I will definitely keep them coming. Have the loveliest day ever.
Ann, I enjoy your every post!
The use of the cinnamon color is a nice change. Room is restful.
I want to make bloggers, everywhere, aware how readers are being misguided
WHEN past post are re-used. We go to make a comment, ask a question to find the post is from 2020 by comments in the comment section. Suggest bloggers add dates back to post in the beginning of the post.
Keep posting and thanks for listening!
Ann – Thanks so much for some new ideas! It’s still in the 90s here in Arkansas, but, our nights are cooler. Fall can’t be far behind!
My display areas are also limited, so decorating is a challenge.I love the muted colors you used with the fuzzy pumpkins and plaids.Just enough to say fall.
Like your style and ease of changing of seasons.
On your porch refresh you shared the blue garden stool
Will you give us some good inspiration to use that same stool during Christmas? I could use it outside year round.
Thanks
Ann, everything you do is always so fresh and crisp! I love the pops of color and I’m absolutely heading over to order those delightful wooly pumpkins!!
Beautiful suggestions. I just purchased a dough bowl and am so excited to try out your dough bowl idea. Love felted pumpkins, plaids, and cotton bolls!