CREATIVE OUTDOOR FALL DECORATING IDEAS TO CELEBRATE AUTUMN IN STYLE

With autumn comes late-night campfires, warm apple cider on a rocking chair and playing in piles of fall leaves. All of these things happen outside, and it’s up to you to create the perfect outside space for appreciating this special time of the year.

Celebrate the season in style with the right outdoor fall decorating ideas to complement your home and landscape.

Hay Bales & Corn Stalks

For those who love taking hayrides through the tall cornfields every autumn, consider bringing your favorite parts of the farm back home.

Pick up a few hay bales and position them on your patio, or along your stairs to the sidewalk, to add a rustic flair. These bales can act as perches: the perfect spot to place pumpkins or drape a blanket over for guests to sit.

Let’s not forget the stalks. These towering beauties help lead the eye up and are great to place next to other tall features, like your front door or porch beams. This decorator used a distressed ladder next to her fall corn stalks and stunning dark wood door for balanced symmetry.

Fall Flowers

You might expect to see chrysanthemums (aka mums) dotted across all your neighbor’s properties this fall. Although these yellow, orange and red blooms certainly add a soft touch of autumn color, there are many other floral varieties you can use to brighten your outdoors and stand apart.

Sunflowers, roses, gerbera daisies, snapdragons: pair them with foliage like eucalyptus, thistle, astilbe, and amaranthus for a full arrangement. Many of these flowers come in beautiful hues of creams, burgundies, blush, rust and crimson—and together, create gorgeous centerpieces for your patio table or as surrounding potted decor. Plant flowers into a wooden whiskey barrel, a vintage watering can or into carved pumpkins to enjoy all season long.

You can also clip a few flowers and stick the stems in translucent, tinted mason jars. Place the glassware on side tables or bring it out on your serving tray when entertaining guests.

Pumpkins & Gourds

Generously set pumpkins and gourds around your front porch or back patio. When it comes to these gorgeous fall-colored decorations, there’s no such thing as too many. Plus, cluttered, stacked, even turned over pumpkins are stylish. Toss some big pine cones in the mix for an added earthy texture

Choose pumpkins and gourds in all shapes, sizes, and colors to place around your hay bales and flowers, on the ground, on tables— anywhere! Or, if you’re looking to stick to a particular color palette, paint them— like this neutral set-up, which incorporated classy white and gold hues against the soft, tan siding.

Don’t forget to show off your carved Jack O’Lanterns. You could even paint your house numbers on your pumpkins and put them next to your door or mailbox.

Mood Lighting

Weave string lights throughout your garland or place them inside of amber glassware to add an orange glow for evenings on your patio or porch.

In addition, pick up some lanterns and fill them with candles to illuminate your decor. Sometimes it’s just about adding some small touches, like how this woman placed fall-colored candles in her birdbath for an outdoor garden party.

DIY Fall Decor

Regardless of it’s your back or front door, make these high-foot traffic entrances and exits welcoming with the right fall decor. Nothing says autumn like a burlap floral door decoration or colorful fall wreath. The best part? These are wonderful fall crafts to create with your children or as a fun group activity. Arrange leaves, flowers, maybe even fake apples, together into a stunning ring.

A fall-themed welcome mat adds a powerful touch without much effort. Buy a plain brown mat and give it some DIY flair like this one, with its touch of plaid and hand-painted, playful “Hey there, pumpkin” wording. These items don’t take up a lot of space to store postseason but can add a lot of personality to your autumn decor.

Let’s not forget garland. Repurpose corn husks into natural drapery or string together some fake leaves to wrap around your deck.

Cozy Touches

As the weather gets cooler, add some warmth to your outdoor escape. Keep a wicker basket of soft blankets by your interior entrance to easily grab when you sit outside. You could do the same with plush pillows, or store these items in an outdoor ottoman.

Plaid is particularly trendy in autumn decor. Pick up a plaid tablecloth or fuzzy throw to add some texture and warmth to the outdoor space.

Have you ever noticed how many outdoor fall decorations are wooden? Earthy additions like wheelbarrows, antique crates, rocking chairs, ladders— these are all things you could add to your outdoor landscape this season. Prop up a wooden witch’s broom or stack a pile of logs to really get in the spirit.

More Outdoor Fall Decorating Ideas

These outdoor fall decorating ideas are sure to brighten your landscape and create a new look for autumn.

Struggling to make your patio look just right? Check out these design ideas.

The right decor and property maintenance could not only impress your neighbors, but it could also increase the value of your home. We’ve got some more tips for framing and sharpening your front entranceway and showcasing your yard with lighting in our Ultimate Guide to Curb Appeal.

Download your free guide today.