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Use these simple outdoor fall decor ideas to spruce up your space after a hot summer. Includes front door and sitting area inspiration.
Welcome to the 6th edition of our Evolution Series where we’re sharing our favorite outdoor rooms. Even though we’ve lived in our current home less than a year, I’m on my third front porch refresh. The main pieces stay the same, and the changes happen by updating the accessories with each new season. Read on for tips on how to add texture, interest, and color to your outdoor decor!
*Affiliate links included. See my disclosure statement.
Where to Gather Inspiration
When it comes to finding seasonal inspiration, my favorite places to look are retail shopping sites. At this point, don’t think about your budget. You’re just getting started, so look around, and when something appeals to you, pin it or screenshot it. Slowly but surely a plan will form. I promise!
I love to look at sites like Pottery Barn or Serena & Lily. Yes, they are expensive…but they have endless inspiration right at your fingertips. When you find something you like, and if it happens to be over your budget, begin the hunt for something similar, but affordable. It’s time well spent because not only will you end up with a look you love, it will be one that won’t break your budget. (Serena & Lily is offering 20% off everything with the code NEWLEAF until September 6th.)
I also like to check out Target and Walmart. Both of these stores have great search engines on their websites, and it’s very easy to find what you are looking for. Target features Studio McGee and Hearth & Hand by Magnolia. Walmart features designers like My Texas House and Dave and Jenny Mars. No matter what your budget, there are wonderful seasonal items you can add to your outdoor space.
Set a Color Palette + a Budget. Shop Wisely.
The next step is plotting your direction. Think about what you would like to incorporate into your design. Planters, small pots, galvanized buckets, or even bushel baskets? A simple grapevine wreath or one with a garland of fall foliage? Do you want to add ribbon to your fall wreath? Consider the harvest colors of autumn…oranges, russet, dark burgundy, or brown. Pick just one color, or combine two or three. Decide on your budget, but before you begin shopping, make sure to check and see if you have anything from previous years you can reuse. After that, begin the hunt for new additions!
5 Steps to Success
Every time I update our front porch decor, I follow the same five steps. I’ve done this for years, and each time it works beautifully. These are the elements that are super easy to change for a whole new look.
- A new or refreshed door wreath.
- A new or repurposed layered doormat set.
- Seasonal planters.
- Pillows and throw blankets in the sitting area.
- Accessories.
If you have a small porch, simply edit down the steps. The one thing everyone has is a door, so begin with the wreath. Make sure to consider your front door color, and choose a wreath that won’t blend in. Use your wreath design as inspiration for the rest of your space. The wreath pictured above was part of my spring porch design. I simply took the blue flowers out, and added the orange blooms.
How to Reinvent a Space
One of the things that is most frustrating when trying to reinvent a seasonal space is how to make it look different than the year before. For example, I had a hard time coming up with something for the table in between the rockers. I had already done lanterns, pots of flowers, gourds, LED candles, faux berries, and pumpkins.
So. Many. Times.
I was determined to come up with something I’ve never done before. If you want to do this yourself, look for inspiration in the simplest of places. Nature is the perfect starting point. A look that I love is organic tree branches in a simple vessel. I could never achieve this look at the Sutton Place house because we didn’t have any tree branches I could reach to cut. But I do now!
I found an unbreakable watering can in the garage to use as a vase, and filled it with branches with bright green leaves from our birch tree. I put some rocks in the bottom of the watering can so it wouldn’t blow away. I know it won’t last for long, but for now, I love the way it looks. I can always cut more branches, or switch them out for something artificial. And the best thing?
It was free.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Simplicity
The term “go big or go home” isn’t a mantra I live by. In fact, I’m the exact opposite. I love simple DIY crafts and projects, and easy decor ideas that are affordable. I believe that most of you do as well, or you wouldn’t be here. I also believe we can welcome guests into our homes with pride in what we have accomplished. This isn’t a race, and we are all winners. So this fall season, step back and really consider what you love. The colors, the scents, and the textures. Let your fall porch decor reflect your own personal tastes, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple.
the sugar maple house
The Evolution Series
Outdoor Fall Decor Ideas Shop + Source
Click the images below to be taken directly to the product listing. Every effort has been made to provide sources for the items found in this post. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
Now please visit Lory and Yvonne to see how they have dressed up their outdoor rooms!
StoneGable | The Tanglewood House Porch + Patio
Designthusiasm | Small Patio Decor Ideas
The Ultimate Guide To
Celebrating Fall
A collection of 100 autumn decor ideas, fun crafts, fall wreaths, and yummy recipes all in one place. It’s the ultimate guide to fall, and provides easy links to find exactly what you are looking for!.
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I agree..a bit early for pumpkins but that’s an easy add in for your pretty space. Looks lovely!
Serena & Lily have wonderful things but pricey even with the discount..unless it’s something that’s timeless..then I’ll buy. Ideas galore though!
Your porch is very pretty and simple.Maybe add some pumpkins for a little more color.What’s fall without pumpkins !!
I thought it might be a bit early for pumpkins…maybe in October!
Ann, all wonderful thoughts. I really enjoy changing up my front porch too. I have a classic colonial – white with black shutters, French blue front door, and a full front porch. I own 10 (yes!) wreaths that I hang in my basement and rotate them sometimes monthly. I have several good sized indoor/outdoor rugs, that I rotate as well. My permanent “fixtures” as I refer to them are my white rockers, battery candle lantern on a timer, and an antique wooden table/plant stand painted in the French blue. I add my flowers of course, mums in the fall, and place a bright colored blanket over the back of one of the rockers. I also have seasonal pillows from various sources – I just washed my summer ones and put them in storage for the winter. I also study Serena & Lily, Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, etc. for inspiration. Just yesterday I washed the entire porch and windows, replaced my summer rug, hung a fall wreath, etc. In the next couple weeks I will be adding my fall mums. Such fun.
What color is your door? Love Blue and Orange together!
Hi Cheryl…the door color is Distance from Sherwin Williams. Thanks!
As usual your porch is gorgeous! I couldn’t resist ordering the Garden planter by Polywood in black, so pretty. Happy Fall!