Decorating for fall can be a challenge. There are so many holidays in a row and each one could use special decorations.
But then you end up swapping decorations obsessively, feeling like your home is never fully decorated!
Instead of decorating for specific holidays, try decorating for seasons, like putting out general fall decorations instead of swapping Halloween decorations for Thanksgiving.
As you’re decorating for fall, try using these simple decorations to make the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving.
The best part? Most of these decorations take less than five minutes to do!
1. Pumpkins and gourds
Pumpkins will last longer (and make the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving) if they aren’t carved.
Use pumpkins as centerpieces on your tables or place them on your front porch. Add some smaller gourds around the pumpkins (or even create a centerpiece out of gourds).
Feel free to paint them, but try to steer clear of anything that looks too scary or Halloween-ish.
2. Fall foliage or artificial leaves
Leaves are so versatile. Sprinkle them around a vase for a cute centerpiece or add them to other decorations for a pop of color.
While you can bring in some leaves from outside (fun activity for the kids?), I keep it simple (and allergen-free) by using artificial leaves.
After Thanksgiving, save the leaves to use next year!
3. Acorns
Hang acorns on branches as ornaments or string them together as napkin rings.
For a fun fall activity, send the kids outside to collect as many as they can and then put them to work stringing them together.
4. Pinecones
Pinecones are perfect to transition from fall to winter.
In the fall, add some artificial leaves in a vase of pinecones. After Thanksgiving, spend five minutes and remove the leaves. Add small Christmas bulbs or a string of lights to add pops of color and make the transition from fall to winter.
5. Apples
Float some apples in water with tea lights to create a colorful centerpiece. To make your apples last longer, when you’re not floating them, feel free to just place red apples in a white bowl to add some color to your kitchen.
Add a variety of apples and a couple of oranges to add even more color. Be careful to store the other fruit separately from the apples, though, because apples emit a gas that can cause other fruits to go bad faster.
6. Corn
Gather colorful corn and place it around a candle.
If you know a farmer, ask for some corn stalks to make an arrangement on your front porch. 😉 If not, you may be able to find some at a farmer’s market or even at a grocery store.
7. Halloween candy
Candy corn and candy pumpkins make the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Also, plain chocolate, like Hershey’s nuggets work well, but be careful to stick to candy that doesn’t have typical Halloween colors or wrapping, like skeletons, on it.
Fill a simple glass dish (or glass pumpkin, as long as it’s not a jack-o-lantern) with gold or orange candy.
8. Pretty printables
Use one dedicated picture frame and swap out the printable each season or have a picture frame for each season (fall, winter, spring, and summer) and rotate them as the seasons change.
If you’re looking for a cute printable, download this autumn wall art for free in the Organized Motherhood Resource Library. Sign up here:
9. Hand towels
There’s no easier way to decorate than setting out seasonal hand towels or kitchen towels.
Instead of buying individual towels with scary skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, or even turkeys on them, try to find cute towels with leaves or pumpkins. I found some adorable bathroom and kitchen towels at Kohl’s that I quickly set out whenever unexpected guests visit our house.
10. Blankets and pillows
Pile cozy blankets and pillows on the couch and backs of chairs to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Another great way to store blankets is to pile them in a cute basket. Put the basket next to the couch for easy access when guests come over (or when you’re having a lazy evening on the couch). 😉
11. Fall scents
For a super easy way to make your home smell like fall, boil cinnamon sticks, apple peels, orange rinds and whole cloves. You can also put this in a slow cooker to make your home smell warm and inviting all day.
For an even easier way to bring the scent of fall into your home, try diffusing your favorite essential oils (try one from this list of fall diffuser blends) or setting out a Mrs. Meyer’s candle. Bonus: right now, new customers can sign up for a free gift from Grove. 😍
Bringing fall into your home can be simple. Best of all, you don’t have to change your decorations to transition between Halloween and Thanksgiving if you use these simple decorations!
What’s your favorite way to decorate your home for fall?