7 Ways to Add Outdoor Fall Decor
Ah, autumn — the time of year when we all join the trees in changing our seasonal wardrobes, switching to warm and woodsy hues and snuggling into sweaters and jackets. Do not forget your home’s outerwear! Fully embrace the season with a focus on your outdoor fall decor.
Why Decorate for Fall?
Transforming your outdoor spaces to reflect and celebrate fall beauty creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for friends and family. For me, there’s just something special in the air besides crisper breezes this time of year — the excitement of football game days, blazing fall leaves, apple cider slushies, bonfires, hayrides, and pumpkin patch pilgrimages, to name a few.
Adding just a little bit of fall decor keeps that excitement going throughout the entire season with visual reminders that yet another fun festival or get-together is around the corner. The best part? A little goes a long way, and fall displays are so easy to create. I’ve put together seven creative ways to add a seasonal touch to your outdoor space, along with some maintenance tips to ensure your decor lasts throughout the season.
I personally choose to skip the overt Halloween outdoor decor, but if you want a spooky splash, check out this post on Halloween decor!
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Choosing the Right Fall Color Palette
Choosing the right color palette for your outdoor fall décor comes down to considering the fall season’s primary color groupings in the context of your home’s primary materials and colors. You’re not simply stuck with orange pumpkins.
Like with these DIY-painted pumpkins, you could choose ALL of your favorite fall colors for a modern, artsy approach.
If you are like me and usually choose one group of autumnal colors and traditional fall decorations, I have gathered some suggestions about which hues best complement different home styles and materials. You really shouldn’t overthink it, though! Keep it fun. Just as fall foliage boldly paints our landscapes this time of year, these colors and combinations usually pop on any home!
Oranges and Reds
These warm and vibrant colors complement homes with earthy, natural materials like brick, stone, or wood. For a traditional home with more neutral colors, use bold shades like rust, crimson, and burnt orange as accent colors for your fall decor. If you have a modern home with a cool-toned exterior, such as white or gray, brighter tones like pumpkin orange and cherry red will create a striking contrast.
Plums and Purples
These jewel-toned hues work well with various architectural styles and home colors. For a classic, elegant look, use deep plum and purple with homes with muted, neutral tones like taupe or beige. If you have a more contemporary home with dark gray or black accents, consider using white planters or even metallic shades like gold and silver with your plums and purples to add a luxe touch to your outdoor fall decor.
Yellows
The versatility of yellow makes it an excellent choice for almost every home style and colors. It’s the boldest color pop against dark gray, black or navy homes. For a cottage or farmhouse-style home, opt for soft, buttery yellows that create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. If you have a home with a bold, vibrant exterior, like blue or green, use more vivid shades of yellow, incorporting corn stalks, mums and pansies.
Once you’ve decided on your perfect colorway for this season’s outdoor fall decor, you can take any or all of these approaches to creating displays that celebrate the harvest season.
Incorporating Realistic Fake Pumpkins
One of my favorite discoveries about creating fall displays is how much faux pumpkins add a festive touch without the mess and upkeep of real pumpkins. Build a collection of high-quality, realistic-looking pumpkins and gourds in various sizes, shapes, and colors and create eye-catching displays around your patio, porch, or garden year after year.
While they tend to cost more on the front end, they pay for themselves over the years with proper care versus buying fresh pumpkins every year. I dive into that topic on my dedicated post, including when to make the most of local store prices.
Like with real pumpkins, you can stack them, arrange them on hay bales, or use them as planters for fall flowers. Look for pumpkins with varying textures and finishes, such as metallic or glitter, that will best complement your special outdoor spaces.
Welcoming Guests with Fall Doormats
A themed fall doormat is an easy way to add a touch of charm to your entryway. Choose one with a fun phrase or seasonal designs like autumn leaves or pumpkins to greet your guests and set the mood right away.
I love to do the layered doormat look for added warmth and texture. Simply place the smaller mat on top of a larger, neutral-toned or patterned rug for added warmth and texture. Be sure to select a durable, weather-resistant mat that can withstand the elements and heavy foot traffic.
Showcasing Mums and Seasonal Plants on the Front Porch
Mums and other seasonal plants, such pansies and ornamental cabbages and kale, bring beautiful bursts of fall color to your garden or planters. When selecting plants, consider their sun and shade requirements to ensure they can thrive in your outdoor space.
To extend the life of your plants, water them regularly, and remove any dead or damaged blooms. You can also incorporate decorative grasses and leafy foliage for more texture and variety.
I use mums along with my faux pumpkins. And use some faux topiary balls in my planters near the door for added color and texture. In the Spring I planted real flowers in them, but for the fall, I switched them out with the faux.
Creating Cozy Outdoor Seating Areas
Transform your patio or deck into a harvest haven by arranging weather-resistant furniture around a firepit, Solo Stove, or chiminea. Adirondack chairs, deep-seating sofas, and lounge chairs all create comfortable spaces for guests to relax and enjoy the warmth. We hung string lights during our fire pit makeover which added instant magic. You can also create cozy vignettes around your seating spaces with fall-inspired pillows, blankets, and lanterns.
In our back screened-in porch, I simply swap out the summer pillows with my fall pillows and add a pumpkin! I could add some mums or more decor, but I like to keep things simple out here!
Enhancing Pathways and Walkways
Create a welcoming entrance by lining your walkways and pathways with lanterns, pumpkins or even hay bales. You could also incorporate colorful fall plants like mums or ornamental cabbage, in planters or garden beds along the path. Simply adding some simple solar-powered or LED lights will lend much-needed light with a nice touch for guests arriving when night begins to fall earlier each day.
Crafting DIY Fall Decorations
Get creative with DIY decorations such as fall wreaths made of dried foliage, pinecones, and berries. My favorite to this day is one I created with faux hydrangeas in fall colors. You can use a grapevine or wire frame as a base, and attach the fall elements using hot glue or floral wire.
Pumpkin topiaries, made by stacking pumpkins of varying sizes, are another fun way to add a unique, homemade touch to your decor. Secure the pumpkins together using wood skewers or dowels, and add decorative elements such as leaves or berries for extra flair.
Adding Personal Touches with Accessories
Finish off your cozy outdoor space with accessories like candles, string lights, and other fall accents. Group candles in varying heights and sizes for a cozy ambiance, and use battery-operated candles for safety. Other fall accents, such as plaid blankets, seasonal pillows, and pretty servingware, can create a warm, inviting atmosphere and make your outdoor space feel like an extension of your home.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Decor
Here are a few ways you can ensure your outdoor fall decor remains beautiful throughout the season (and beyond!):
- Choose weather-resistant furniture: When selecting furniture for your outdoor space, opt for weather-resistant materials like aluminum, resin, or teak wood. Often they’re the pricier option and yet they’re built to last. These materials simply withstand the elements more than most, preventing rust, mold, and mildew. Invest in good furniture covers and be sure to clean and store your furniture properly during the winter months to extend its lifespan.
- Use outdoor-rated faux pumpkins: While real pumpkins are a classic fall staple, they can deteriorate quickly and make a mess. Outdoor-rated faux pumpkins are a durable alternative that can be used year after year. Look for pumpkins made of materials like heavy resin or plastic that can withstand rain, wind, and varying temperatures.
- Check sun and shade conditions for live plants: Seasonal plants like mums, ornamental kale, and pansies have specific sunlight requirements. As the days grow shorter and cooler, ensure your plants get the appropriate amount of sun and shade to thrive. Mums prefer full sun, while pansies prefer partial shade. Monitor your plants’ health and adjust their location if necessary.
- Do regular cleaning and maintenance: To keep your outdoor decor looking its best, clean everything at least once a week and after rain or storms. Remove fallen leaves, dirt, and debris from your seating areas, walkways, and planters. Check your string lights and lanterns for damage, and replace any burnt-out bulbs. Keep your outdoor cushions and pillows clean and dry by storing them indoors or in a weather-proof bin during inclement weather.
Final Thoughts
With these easy methods and tips, you should be well on your way to having the best outdoor fall decor in the neighborhood! Just a few simple additions will create a warm welcome for friends and family during these chilly days and nights.
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