10 Best Ideas for Decorating Your Home for Fall on a Budget

As summer ends, it’s time to welcome the beauty of fall that’s just around the corner. With cooler weather and shorter days, now is the perfect time to start thinking about adding cozy fall decor to your home. Whether it’s pumpkin decorations, soft plaid blankets, or rustic wreaths, fall decor can make your home feel warm and inviting.

While it may be tempting to buy all the latest fall decorations, you don’t need to spend a lot to make your home look stylish. Even if you spent more than you planned during the summer, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways of decorating your home for fall on a budget.

You can get creative by making your own decorations, shopping at thrift stores, or using items you already have in new ways. With just a little effort, you can give your home a cozy fall makeover without breaking the bank.

Decorating Your Home for Fall on a Budget

Check out our simple tips on how to decorate for fall on a budget, and get ready to turn your home into a cozy autumn retreat!

1. Pumpkin Decoration Centerpieces

Arrange a mix of mini pumpkins or gourds in a bowl or tray for a simple and eye-catching fall decoration. To make it more stylish, you can paint the pumpkins in fall colors like gold, orange, or white. This gives them a modern look and matches your home’s color scheme.

For a cozier touch, add natural items like pinecones, dried leaves, or cinnamon sticks. This creates more texture and even adds a nice scent. You can place this decoration on your dining table, coffee table, or entryway to instantly bring the fall season into your home.

If you want a more rustic feel, leave the pumpkins unpainted and add burlap or wooden accents to give it a farmhouse look. To make it extra cozy, wrap battery-powered string lights around the display for a warm glow in the evening. This simple arrangement is a quick and easy way to bring the fall spirit into your space.

2. Cozy Fall Theme Blankets

Replace your summer throws with warm, fall-themed plaid blankets to bring a cozy fall feeling to your home. You can find these blankets cheaply at online stores like Amazon.

Plaid blankets add a classic and inviting touch to any room. Drape them over your sofa or chair to instantly update your space for fall. You can also place them at the foot of your bed or on a bench in your entryway for extra warmth and style.

Choose blankets in rich fall colors like deep red, orange, or brown to match the season. For a finishing touch, add a few decorative pillows with fall patterns to complete the look.

This easy change not only makes your home look great but also keeps you warm as it gets cooler. With these affordable options and simple placements, you’ll create a cozy and welcoming fall atmosphere.

3. Scented Candles

Create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere by adding scented candles with fall fragrances like pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or apple. These scents will make your home feel warm and ready for the season.

For a rustic touch, place the candles in mason jars or decorative lanterns. Mason jars give a simple, farmhouse look, while lanterns add a vintage feel. You can put them on your coffee table, mantle, or as a centerpiece on your dining table for a cozy glow during fall nights.

To make the display more interesting, add items like pinecones, acorns, or fake fall leaves around the candles. This adds texture and makes your space look more autumn-themed.

Candles are a budget-friendly way to decorate, and whether you light them for a special event or just a quiet night at home, they’ll bring a warm and inviting feel to any room.

4. Mason Jar Vases

Make a simple fall centerpiece by using mason jars filled with dried flowers, pinecones, or wheat stems. This easy DIY idea adds a cozy, rustic feel to your home, perfect for the autumn season.

Start by choosing dried flowers in fall colors like red, orange, and yellow. You can also use wheat stems or pampas grass to add height and texture. Arrange them in the mason jar so it looks full and balanced. For a cute finishing touch, tie some twine or a burlap ribbon around the jar.

To add more fall vibes, mix in pinecones, acorns, or small pumpkins. You can place these around the base of the jar or even inside for a fun look. The natural textures and warm colors will make your space feel cozy and welcoming.

These mason jar centerpieces are affordable and can be used anywhere in your home—on your dining table, mantel, or kitchen counter. Plus, you can easily change the items inside for different seasons.

5. Visit thrift Stores

Visit thrift shops or dollar stores to find affordable fall decorations like vases, wreaths, or picture frames. You can often find great items for just a few dollars! Look for things that match the fall theme, like rustic picture frames, wooden baskets, or metal lanterns.

To make these thrifted items more personal and stylish, try some easy DIY ideas. If you find a plain vase, paint it in warm fall colors like orange, red, or brown. You can also wrap twine or burlap around the base for added texture.

Wreaths are another good find at second-hand stores. Even if they aren’t in the best shape, you can refresh them by adding faux fall leaves, pinecones, or mini pumpkins. Use a hot glue gun to attach these, and you’ll have a custom wreath that looks more expensive than it really is.

Picture frames can also be updated with a coat of paint. Try gold or deep burgundy for a fall vibe, and add autumn-themed prints or family photos inside for a warm and inviting look.

With a little creativity and effort, these budget-friendly finds will add a personal and unique touch to your fall décor without spending too much!

6. DIY Leaf Garland

Collect colorful leaves from outside to make a simple, natural garland. Here’s how:

1. Gather Leaves: Find a variety of colorful leaves—reds, oranges, yellows, and browns. Make sure they’re fresh and not too dry.
2. Arrange the Leaves: Lay the leaves out in a pattern you like, whether alternating colors or mixed up.
3. String the Leaves: Use a needle and thread or twine to string the leaves together. Space them out evenly or tie knots around them with the twine.
4. Hang Your Garland: Decorate your home by hanging the garland around doorways, mantels, or windows.

This DIY garland adds a lovely touch of fall to your home and is easy on your wallet.

7. Rustic Wooden Signs

Make your own fall signs using scrap wood or cheap craft supplies for a personal touch to your decor. You can use leftover wood or buy small wooden boards from a craft store.

Paint the wood in autumn colors like orange, red, or brown. Then, write simple phrases like “Hello Fall” or “Give Thanks” to celebrate the season. If you’re not great at painting letters, you can use stencils to help.

For extra decoration, you can glue on fake leaves, small pumpkins, or wrap twine around the edges. If you want to hang your sign, just attach a rope or ribbon.

These DIY signs are a fun, low-cost way to make your home feel warm and cozy for fall. Place them on a shelf, hang them on your door, or use them in any room for a seasonal touch!

8. Fabric Pumpkins

Make your own cute fall fabric pumpkins using old clothes or scrap fabric. Here’s how:

1. Find Your Materials: Use old clothes or leftover fabric in fall colors like orange, brown, or plaid. You’ll also need some stuffing (like cotton or old fabric), a needle and thread, or a hot glue gun, and some green fabric or paper for the stems.
2. Cut the Fabric: Cut the fabric into circles or squares, depending on how you want your pumpkins to look. A 6-8 inch circle works well for a small pumpkin.
3. Sew or Glue: For sewing, gather the edges of the fabric circle with a stitch, leaving a small opening. Pull the thread tight to make a pouch, stuff it with the batting, and sew the opening closed. For glue, fold and glue the edges together to shape the pumpkin.
4. Add Stems: Use green fabric or paper to make the pumpkin’s stem. Roll it up or use a small stick or cinnamon stick for a stem and glue it to the top of the pumpkin.
5. Decorate: You can add fake leaves or twine to make your pumpkins look even cuter. Place them on a table, shelf, or as part of a fall display.

These DIY fabric pumpkins are easy to make and a great way to use old materials. They add a cozy touch to your home for the fall season.

You can also find a variety of fabric pumpkins on Amazon. They offer many options in different sizes, colors, and styles, so you can easily find ones that match your fall decor. Whether you prefer simple designs or ones with added embellishments, shopping online can save you time and give you plenty of choices to brighten up your home for the season.

9. Fall-Themed Pillow Covers

Change your summer pillow covers for ones with fall themes to give your home a cozy autumn feel. Look for covers in warm colors like mustard yellow, burnt orange, and deep red. These colors help create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere.

You can find budget-friendly fall pillow covers online or at discount stores. Choose designs with fall patterns like leaves, pumpkins, or plaid to add extra seasonal charm. Swapping out your pillow covers is an easy and inexpensive way to update your living room or bedroom for fall.

10. Gather From Nature

Gather branches, pinecones, and fallen leaves from your yard to make a DIY fall wreath for your front door. It’s a free and easy way to add a warm, welcoming touch to your home.

Start by collecting sturdy branches for the wreath base. Add pinecones and colorful autumn leaves for decoration. You can also use acorns or dried berries if you have them.

To make the wreath, form a circle with the branches and secure them with twine or wire. Arrange the pinecones and leaves on the base, using hot glue or extra twine to keep them in place.

Hang your wreath on the front door to greet guests with a festive fall touch. This simple project is a great way to celebrate the season and add a personal touch to your home.

Final Thoughts

These easy and low-cost ideas will help you decorate your home for fall without spending too much. By using simple DIY projects and inexpensive items, you can bring the cozy, warm feel of autumn into your space.

You can make your own fall garlands with colorful leaves or create cute fall signs. Changing out summer pillows for ones in fall colors or updating thrift store finds with some paint are also great ways to decorate affordably.

From making a welcoming wreath with branches and pinecones to adding fabric pumpkins, these budget-friendly tips will help you enjoy the beauty of fall while keeping your costs down.