As summer blends into fall, it’s time (if you haven’t already) to start thinking about how you can spruce up your seasonal outdoor décor and enhance your curb appeal. Your front or back porch offers great decorative potential, regardless of size, and here are some ideas on how you can maximize this cozy space and wow your neighbors.
1. Wreath
Make your front door the main attraction by hanging a striking fall wreath with a seasonal color palette and accessories. There are hundreds of styles and sizes to choose from to suit your tastes. Hang a simplistic wreath that is all foliage, incorporates a mix of flowers, uses unconventional methods, or gives off a spooky Halloween flair. You can even choose to make your own unique piece.
2. Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Pumpkins!
There’s no such thing as too many pumpkins. Whether you prefer a minimalist or maximalist approach— painted, carved, or plain, fall gourds are a must! Stack them on top of each other or on crates, hay bales, or furniture. Then, break up the space using mums, corn or wheat stalks, or colorful leaves.
3. Outdoor Bench or Chair
Embrace a rustic or antique feel with a wooden chair or bench that can be decked out year-round. Either can be easily decorated with pumpkins, flowers, cushions, and more. If you choose a storage bench, you’ll also have a space to store your outdoor decorations or cushions off-season.
4. Hay Bales
Hay bales not only allow you to stagger and stack your decorations, but also add some natural texture. They’re available in various sizes to suit any porch and can easily be tucked out of the way of foot traffic.
5. Potted Plants
While mums are classic fall flowers, mix things up by adding some eye-catching potted greenery. You can’t go wrong with terracotta, but woven baskets of leafy plants also provide a chic look. You can even carve out a pumpkin as a planter for exaggerated fall flair. Nature offers some of the best décor, and if you don’t have the floor space, consider adding hanging planters instead.
6. Outdoor Lights
Create a cozy, inviting atmosphere with soft lights. String lights are great around a doorway or over a larger sitting area, depending on how much space you have. If you want to add even more lighting, lanterns offer a matching aesthetic and can be integrated into any season’s décor. Hang them alongside string lights for a brighter, sophisticated look.
7. Wooden Ladder or Shelf
Repurpose a wooden ladder, storage shelf, or cart to stack your decorations vertically. This is a great idea if you have a smaller porch and don’t want things underfoot. Hang throws or stack pumpkins, plants, and more. Get the biggest bang for your buck by switching out decorations depending on the season.
8. Pillows and Throws
Liven up a simple space with patterned pillows and cozy throw blankets. These can be for a single chair or a larger sitting area, and are a fun way to showcase the season. Adding a colorful mix of pillows and blankets makes a space both visually and physically appealing. Have a handful of each that can be changed out seasonally with the rest of your décor.
9. Doormat
Give your front door a makeover with a seasonal doormat. These are great for any size space and can be customized with a design of your choosing. If you’re crafty and love DIY, you can even make your own using stencils and acrylic paint.
10. Porch Sign
Fill up vertical space by placing a tall, wooden fall-themed welcome sign behind plants, pumpkins, and other smaller decorations. Make your own sign from a shipping pallet or wooden plank and style it however you’d like. Add large letters for a bold look or weathering for a more rustic feel. You can also incorporate a directional sign with arrows highlighting different fall activities.
There are hundreds of fun and unique ways to decorate your porch for fall and these ten items will help you get a head start in creating a picture-perfect display. Easily swap decorations out for Halloween and Thanksgiving to create a more festive vibe, or to transition seasonally. When all the fun décor inevitably starts to clutter, store any off-season items in a convenient self storage unit for the next year.
