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Decorating for Fall on a budget using DIY Fall Decor

The fall months are upon us. The leaves are starting to change color and the air is a little cooler. For many, with autumn, comes the desire to refresh their homes to suit the season. Today we are sharing tips for decorating for Fall on a budget with things you have on hand.  And sharing some DIY Fall Decor ideas plus tips about purchasing inexpensive Harvest decor that can be used for years to come.

decorating for Fall on a budget

There is just something magical, cozy and warm when it comes to thinking about the fall months. It most likely has a lot to do with the crisp air and warm color palette the great outdoors provides. Refreshing your home to suit the season can bring a little of that warmth and comfort indoors, even if you decorating for fall on a budget.

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This means adding little touches to create a warmer, cozier environment than your minimalist summer living. While entirely redecorating your home can get pricey, doing a fall refresh doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Harvest decor

They are so many ways to have a beautiful home while decorating for Fall on a budget.  We emphasize affordable, nature-inspired ideas like using fallen leaves, pinecones, walnuts, ripe pomegranates paired with little pumpkins and squashes.

Creative tips for decorating for fall on a budget are thrifting for harvest decor, painting pumpkins white for elegance, and crafting displays with mason jars, candles, or acorns. With ideas like fall wreaths and cozy blankets, it’s a guide to transforming your home into a warm, festive space without overspending.

Decorating for Fall on a budget and other Fall decorating Tips

There are several budget fall decorating tips to save you money, allowing you to cozy up your home without breaking the bank.

Fall Decor

When it comes to budget fall decorating tips, there are many different harvest decor ideas that you can put to use. It is important that you get creative with things you have on hand and only purchase inexpensive items that can be used for years to come.

Just adding a few pumpkins, fall leaves, or branches to existing decor brings a warm comforting feeling of fall. A few knitted or crocheted throws pulls it together.

Rely on Nature:   Go on a nature walk and collect fall items from the great outdoors. Fresh fallen leaves, pinecones, nuts, and a few branches cut from a tree can make for a beautiful centerpiece or even shelf décor.

Next time you are at the grocery store grab some inexpensive apples, pears, pumpkins and squash to decorate your home. Add a few pinecones, nuts, leaves to create a basket of nature to refresh your home for the fall months.

Candles for Fall decor

Add candles around or in the center of your harvest decor. Scented candles will not only bring the scent of fall into your home but will provide warm lighting for the season. Choose fragrances of the season such as apple or spiced pumpkin or purchase this set of four Fall Scent Candles.  

Cinnamon sticks are another item that you may have on hand in your pantry. Even if you do not have them at home, they are very inexpensive to purchase at your local grocery store. The smell of cinnamon is an iconic part of fall and can actually look pretty too.

Pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, orange slices for fall decor

Also. you could dehydrate orange or apple slices to add a unique touch.   Use them in your centerpiece as decoration, or use twine to secure them around your candles..

White Pumpkins

White pumpkins add a classy look to your Fall table or porch.  Sometimes white pumpkins are more expensive so a little white paint and presto, white pumpkins.  Giving a chalked appearance to candle sticks or pots also creates a classier look.  This can be accomplished by brushing on a thin layer of white paint. 

You can also add cinnamon sticks, dried apple or orange slices, and some nutmeg into some water and heat it on the stove to create your own inexpensive and delicious fall scent.

DIY Fall Decor, fall leaves and acorns and stuffed pumpkins

If you feel as though you have to purchase some cute and affordable fall décor, shop at your local thrift or bargain store.  You will be surprised at how many incredible fall harvest decor pieces these stores carry.  Whether you opt for artificial leaves, fake pumpkins, vases, or silk flowers you will be glad you are decorating for Fall on a budget.   You are sure to find something that suits your budget fall decorating needs.

Super Soft Vintage Fluffy Plaid Throw Blanket

Also, purchase plaid or fall colored super soft vintage fluffy plaid throw blankets and drape them on the couch, over the back of chairs, at the end of your bed.  Place them anywhere else people will want to cozy up or you might wish to use ones you already have.   This will provide a warm and comforting environment conducive to the season. This is a very inexpensive way to refresh your home for fall. It utilizes items you already have at home and can actually change the way your space feels in a big way.

Decorating for Fall

You could paint plain pumpkins with a chalk paint to create unique arrangements or these colored pumpkins could be grown in your garden. Choose Blue Jarrahdale Pumpkin Seeds, Rare Pink Pumpkin Seeds or White Flat Stacker Pumpkin Seeds and plant them in your garden. Also buy or grow Fall colored mums to add to your porch or fireplace decor.

Fall Pillow Covers

Buy pillow covers instead of the expense of new pillows. Cover your existing pillows with these Fall Plaid Pillow Covers. Cozy pillows along with other Fall Colors bring warmth to your home.

DIY Fall Decor

DIY Fall Decor is pretty easy with these tips.   For instance years ago, I painted so many of these little acorns. I bought plain wood acorns and blended a couple of craft paints then followed up with a clear coat.   They have lasted forever and I can’t image Halloween or Thanksgiving without them.  When my son was little, he would turn them over and spin them like little tops.   Yep, spinning acorns all over the table!

Fall Filled Mason Jars to decorate on a budget

Fill tall glasses or  Mason jars with pillar candles surrounded by acorns, coffee beans or even candy corn. This will create a beautiful display for any table or shelf. Just make sure to keep your eyes on the candles when they are lit, you do not want them to burn down past the filler you used.  It’s never a good idea to have candles near dried fall leaves.

Tie a couple sprays of fall leaves, add sunflowers and hang it on your front door. Sometimes simple is best, for decorating for Fall on a budget .  

Harvest decor, decorating for Fall on a budge

 Search your pantry for seeds, beans, corn etc for a Fall Candle Vase.  You could make several with different fall colors, shapes and different harvest decor tied on the outside of the vase. 

Fall Wreath on a Budget

Here is a collage of Indian Corn and Fall Gourds tied with a burlap ribbon and hung on our barb wire wreaths on the Ranch front gate. The gourds and corn can be found on most local markets during the Fall season.

Fall Wreath

Pull out a few decorations that you already have and create a Fall wreath.  We use our Barb Wire wreaths that live on our front gate and hit the sale at our local Hobby Lobby for a cute metal truck and metal pumpkin.  We added the Fall flowers and colorful leaves in the back of the little truck.

decorating on a budget, diy fall decor

Either buy or cut out metal pumpkin shapes and add raffia or fall ribbons.  You could also stencil on letters such as “Happy Fall Y’all.  These could be placed in any of your fall arrangements or hug on a plank of wood or just by themselves.  


There are numerous easy ways to decorate your home for Fall.  Simple tricks that make your home comfy and gorgeous.  Adding unique candle holders and a variety of pumpkins or fall squashes. A vase of sunflowers always add country charm to your space.

porch decor for fall

When it comes to decorating for Fall on a budget, just remember to rely on nature.   Use blankets, add candles, utilize cinnamon sticks for your DIY Fall decor.   Visit your local dollar store or bargain store and look for inexpensive items.  In no time, your home will be ready for the fall months without breaking the bank.

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One Comment

  1. I love the candle holder with the corn and beans. That's a great idea and one I'm going to take with me. I just got some corn the other day. Thank you.