This fall mantel gathers rustic, outdoorsy elements together to create an asymmetrical vignette. The leaves, pumpkins, wheat and apples collect the outdoors in a celebration of the harvest season.
Can I be honest with you?
I know I can, because we’re friends like that. And friends are honest with each other … so here goes.
I didn’t want to decorate for fall.
*gasp*
I know. I’m just not feeling it this season.
I normally love to decorate for fall. I love to cozy up the house getting it ready for cooler temperatures and nights spent drinking hot chocolate by the fire. I typically get really excited and have a vision for how I want to decorate my home for the autumn season.
But this year has been a challenge. Maybe it’s the 99° weather this past weekend that makes it hard to feel like sipping spiced apple cider? (You think?! Just maybe.) But the struggle has been real. And sometimes that happens and it’s OK!
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What to Do When You Don’t Want to Decorate?
I know. First world problems. 🙂 But it’s a real thing sometimes, so let’s discuss.
For me, when I need to decorate for a party or a season and I’m just not feeling it, the trick for me is just to start. I move past the feelings and start decorating with what I have! And most of the time when I just jump in and start moving stuff around, I find myself getting inspired and enjoying it.
You see, normally I find the inspiration first. But sometimes that inspiration just doesn’t come.
By the way, do you know that there’s a science behind decorating mantels and table tops? Yep! There is! So, if you ever find yourself stuck, you may want to check out the basics here. It can be helpful to go back to the basics when you’re struggling with how to start.
The gorgeous blue vintage Ball jar candle is from my fave candle shop (click here)!
So, I just started adding things to my mantel and bringing in rustic, cozy elements that would evoke a sense of autumn, warmth and harvest.
Once you start moving things around, just begin to layer textures and heights. Obviously you’ll want to pull in all kinds of nature that evoke a sense of all. I shared how to decorate a mantel last year, and it may help you too!
I started out with this look on the mantel and I lived with it for a few days.
And then I decided that it did not have nearly enough color for my taste! I had tried to go neutral-ish and just add creams and grays to my blues. But in the end, I’ve just got to have some of those traditional fall colors
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.
(Living Room Sources: Glass vases, Large White Faux Pumpkin, Small White Faux Pumpkin, Blessed Pillow (DIY), Leather Armchair, Turquoise Ball Jar Candle, Turquoise Colander, Basket with Chalkboard (similar), Oversized Plaid Pillow (similar), Wood Drum Table (no longer available), Plaid Chenille Throw (similar), Acorn Art, Curtains)
So, I ended up with something a little more traditional with those fall leaves taking center stage.
Sometimes you just have to live with a look for a few days to decide if it’s right for you, or not. And it’s OK to change it!
I’m fairly pleased with how it turned out. And I’m happy that it’s going to be a lovely reminder as Mother Nature ushers in the cooler temperatures this coming week and weekend. #finally
The faux foliage is some of my favorite fall accents. They are from Hobby Lobby and I love the fun and whimsy they add to the space.
And I’ve been eyeing those glass mason jars with metal hangers for years now and finally just bought some. They are super inexpensive, so I’m not sure why I waited this long.
We eat a ton of apples at our house, so we love to gather them in our turquoise colander and have them set out for a healthy snack. I think we eat 3 apples a day in our house!
One of my favorite purchases as been this Art for the Traditional Home book. It comes with 40 fine art prints that you can tear out of the book and use throughout your home. I’ve used many of them over the past 3 years.
I thought the acorn art was a perfect little addition to my window frame on my mantel. Art doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.
Speaking of art, I recently filled my frames on my gallery wall in the living room. But these are my family photos, which is the best kind of “art” in my book. 🙂
I added a couple of autumn touches to the space, including my favorite fall purchase this year: the hand-carved wood pumpkin. I’m obsessed and keep moving it around the house. Ha! (They don’t seem to be available online anymore, unfortunately, but I found mine in the store.)
(GALLERY WALL SOURCES: Console Table, Faux Sage Plant, Be Grateful Sign (similar) or DIY tutorial, Rustic White Candle Holders, Gray Buffalo Check Pillow Cover IKEA (no longer available), Cotton Boll Wreath (similar), Turquoise Abstract Art (DIY), Mercury Glass Votives)
I probably should have shared this with you first, but let’s just go backwards, shall we?
I love my new front door wreath that I made last week. It’s so pretty to see when we drive up to the house or I walk out the front to water the plants out there.
See my latest layered fall door mat faves here!
We’ll see how long they last. I’ve been known to kill a mum quicker than you can say, “it’s hot in here.”
And from here you can enter the house and come see the living room, which you’ve already seen by now! Ha! Nothing like a backwards fall home tour. 😉
By the way, I was really hoping my door would be a different color by now, but I’m still waiting to hear back from the HOA.
Hopefully it’ll be my favorite color by the time Christmas rolls around.
Just to recap what to do when you don’t know where to begin decorating …
- Just start!
- Get back to the basics.
- Layer textures and heights.
- Take away and re-arrange if needed.
Thanks for checking out my fall living room. I have a few more fall posts up my sleeve in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Debbie Gail
Thanks for re-sending this. Last year was out of the question for any kind of decorating, as my home was being repaired after Harvey came through. I thought this year I would be ready to go all out, but really not feeling it, yet. I’m going to take your advise and just do a little something. Maybe it’ll kick in. I enjoy all your posts. Keep ’em coming. 🙂
Laura
Wow! I bet you’re just enjoying having your house back in order. Decorating will come! 🙂
Cindy Richter
I mean I hope you FEEL differently this year!
Cindy Richter
I was just wondering how Bloggers decorate so early when it’s 99 degrees outside and how they are inspired. So as a very new blogger this (even though a year later) post came at the perfect time. I was feeling down today and now you’ve motivated me to just get started. Love everything! Hope this year is different!
Laura
Hey Cindy! I’m definitely feeling more inspired this year over last. 🙂 I went to HomeGoods and Target today and bought a few new items to go with my old. The summer stuff is down and I’m slowly, but surely, decorating for fall! Thank you for reading!
Laura
sahana
Your mantel looks great. I Love the cotton ball wreath in the gallery area. Thank you for linking up with us at #HomeMattersParty. See you again next week.
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com
Love your mantel Laura and your whole living room is soo cozy! The different textures and mix of colors are perfect! Thanks so much for sharing at our party! xo
Jen @ Noting Grace
Such a lovely mantel! Gorgeous styling, my friend!
Laura
Thank you, Jen!!
Charlene Asay
Your home is beautifully decorated for Fall. The weather has changed to cooler in my neck of the woods. Making it extra easy to decorate! Have a great week!
Laura
Thank you, Charlene!! It’s finally a tad cooler here. It was downright chilly this morning at the pumpkin patch, which was perfect! The first time I remember going to the pumpkin patch and not sweating to death! 😉
Beth
Hi Laura
Thank you for sharing.
Your home looks beautiful.
Mary Bogart
Your mantel and front door are lovely, Laura! I had a hard time too because of the heat. I am still working on it. I am overrun with velvet pumpkins that I started making a month ago and now have decided to make some blues, grays and whites. My husband thinks I’ve lost my mind! Ha! Happy Autumn and here’s to cooler temps!
Laura
Aww, I bet they are sooo pretty! I love velvet pumpkins!!
Randi
I just love the addition of aqua in your living room. So pretty!
Julie
I am having a knee replacement in oct.and I love to decorate but not sure I will be able to this year.
Laura
I’m sorry that you have to have surgery, Julie. Although I’ve heard that if you need knee replacement, then it is oftentimes a wonderful outcome and much better quality of life after surgery. My husband actually need a double knee replacement at age 40, but he’s trying to hold off as long as he can since he’d likely have to have them done again in his lifetime. And the decor can wait! I was on bedrest one Christmas and my husband decorated some for me. I had to live with much less than I was used to! But I made up for it the next year!
Blessings! Laura