Looking for fall decorating ideas to make your home feel warm and welcoming? You are in the right place! I love decorating my home for fall; it is one of my favourite times of year. I like to think of it as the cosy season so I do everything I can to make my home feel warm and welcoming.
Updated October 2025
Here in the UK, autumn can be a capricious season, and we sometimes have a lot of rain and grey days. As a result, many of my fellow Brits dread it. However, my Canadian heritage makes me tenaciously cling to the optimism autumn always generated when I was growing up. While nature may be slowing down, there is beauty in this transition, and I love the new beginning September signals, even though it was many years since I was last in school. Using these fall decorating ideas helps me celebrate the season on the crisp, sunny days, and feel comforted and cosy on the grey, rainy ones.
Wherever you live, I hope that these fall decorating ideas will inspire you to make the most of this wonderful season.
Make a Feature of Your Front Door or Porch
One of my favourite fall decorating ideas is to decorate outside as well as inside. A wreath made with autumn leaves, pinecones, berries, feathers or other items from nature can look gorgeous on your front door. (I purchased this one from Green Parlour.) Or choose a faux wreath (affiliate link) you can use year after year.
If you have a front porch, why not add some planted pots with fall flowers and foliage in autumnal colours. Chrysanthemums or asters work really well. You could also decorate with pumpkins, gourds or squash in baskets or arranged on the side of the stairs if you have them. (Be sure to position ornaments and decorations so that they are not a trip hazard.)
Add Soft Furnishings – Simple Fall Decorating Ideas
It can be fun to switch up the soft furnishings season to season, so you could include some fall colours and elements here. It is also amazing how welcoming pillows and throws can make your furniture appear. For a more sustainable option, switch up the pillow cases on your throw pillows season to season. I found some gorgeous fall-themed throw pillowcases on Amazon (affiliate link).
Cosy quilts and throws make your bedroom or living room a warm oasis. I even found bed linens decorated with pumpkins at Next, although that may be taking things a bit too far!
Fall Decorating Ideas – Create a Warm Glow
As the nights get darker earlier, most of us are keen to introduce more light. If your house feels very dark, you may want to consider purchasing an extra lamp or two, however do consider candlelight as well. There are so many lovely, scented candles available today, but if an open flame is a concern, you can always use battery operated candles.
Battery operated candles and are one of the easiest fall decorating ideas ever. Many are made of wax and have wicks so they look very realistic. One of the things I love about the latest battery-operated candles is that they can be programmed to come on at various times, meaning that you can return to a cosy, well-lit house without having any safety concerns. This can also be a nice way to make your house look like someone is home, even when they are not.
I have just ordered a fall maple leaf garland with lights (affiliate link) and plan to use it in my kitchen or dining room. It would work well draped over a sideboard, doorway or along cabinets, making a pretty addition to your decor and adding to the twinkly, cosy factor!
And speaking of sparkle…
Mantles and Shelves
I love to decorate my fireplace for the seasons and these battery-operated sparkly pumpkin lights (affiliate link) are perfect for autumn and Halloween. And of course, the battery-operated candles similar to these on the hearth (affiliate link)are perfect all year round. I like the battery-operated candles that have lifelike wicks like these. (I find most candles with the flickering plastic flames make a noise as they flicker.)
Or create a mantle display using autumn flowers, small pumpkins and gourds or squash. These can be either faux or fresh. There are some cute faux options here (affiliate link).
Insider Tip – Be sure to protect your furniture if you use fresh vegetables. I once put a beautiful floral arrangement in a pumpkin directly on a table and I did not notice that as it aged, it leaked. Always use a plate or tray when displaying fresh vegetables or fruit.
Mirrors
Mirrors reflect the light and making everything look brighter, a boon on grey fall days. They can also make a room appear bigger. Hang a mirror over a sideboards, fireplace, in a cosy nook or on a wall like a picture. If you can, position them so they reflect the light from a nearby window. Be careful not to hang mirrors too high; they should be at eye level.
Decorate with Flower Arrangements
Did you know that multiple studies have proven that having flowers and plants in your home can reduce stress and anxiety, increase concentration and improve your mood? A bouquet of autumn flowers and foliage can really enhance your space. Zinnias, dahlias, chrysanthemums, hydrangea are all blooming now and look beautiful in a vase. Fill a jug with sunflowers and don’t forget about perennial succulents like sedums, which provide long lasting, colourful foliage. Rosemary and other herbs work well too. To be fair, decorating with flowers not just one of my fall decorating ideas. It is something I do all year round!
Think About Fragrance – How Scent Can Complete Your Fall Decor
Although not solely a fall decorating idea, fragrance really contributes to the atmosphere of your home. Cinnamon, ginger and spice as well as more complex fragrances like frankincense and myrhh can really add a sensation of warmth and cosiness this time of year. You can use diffusers, room sprays or scented candles.
Want to avoid using artificial fragrances? Use essential oils in an electronic diffuser, or head into the kitchen to create some aromatherapy of your own. Pop an orange studded with cloves and a few cinnamon sticks in a saucepan of warm water on the stovetop or make some mulled wine or cider in the slow cooker to sip from your favourite mug. Slow cooking your dinner or baking something delicious can help fill your home with fragrance as well.
More Fall Decorating Ideas For Kitchen and Dining Room
Fill a bowl with shiny red apples or apples and pears and place them on your kitchen worktop both as an accent and an encouragement to take a healthy snack. (You may want to pop them in the fridge at night for freshness.)
Keep your eyes open for pretty fall-themed napkins, placemats and table runners (all affiliate links).
Bringing Your Fall Decorating Ideas To Life
These fall decorating ideas work beautifully whether you are just updating one corner of your home or refreshing every room. Remember, decorating your home for fall is all about having fun. It’s a chance to express your own style and make your home feel welcoming.
Try using what you already have and adding just a few thoughtful touches. Be sure to look around your home before you shop because your cupboards may hold hidden treasures waiting to be styled in a new way. From natural materials and seasonal fruits to warm colours and layered textures, these simple fall decorating ideas can help you create a cosy, inviting space you will enjoy coming home to all season long.
Wishing you a wonderful, cosy autumn!
Credits: Photo above and at top of post as well as photos of me in this post by Terry Joshi. My styling by Sarah van Dort, makeup and hair by Ali Oswald. Shelf styled by Holly Scott Interior Design, countertop styled by Terry. Photo of bowl of apples and pears by Tara Taylor.
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