Fall decoration on a budget.
It wasn’t always like this, but now fall is probably my favorite of all the seasons. There’s so much to love: the colors of the leaves changing, the cute fall clothes, the cooler temperatures.
But there’s nothing I love more than the feeling of change that fall brings. I don’t know what it is, but every year around this time I feel the need to move and change (almost) everything in my house. Does anyone else feel this way?
If you’re up for a change but don’t have the budget to re-personalize and furnish your entire space, I have 9 affordable fall decorating ideas that I think you’ll love. Including a couple of ideas that won’t cost you a single cent!
1. Change your cushions.
It seems simple enough, but changing the cushions can make a big difference. It can change up a color scheme or bring some texture to a space that would otherwise feel flat.
Try incorporating some colder season fabrics like fur, velvet or sherpa (or a combination of all three)!
Do you still need help? Try swapping out a linen pillow for a velvet one (like those dreamy velvet pillows pictured above from Studio Giancarlo Valle) or swap out a bright pink pillow for a deep mustard color.
2. Bundle up in fall-worthy textiles.
When I think of fall, I think of cooler nights spent cozying up on the couch (or in my bed).
Having a fuzzy blanket nearby to keep you warm or the perfect rust-colored bedding (like this one from Bed Threads) to give you those fall-colored vibes are great options for seasonal textiles.
3. Use what you have.
One of the easiest (and completely FREE) ways to change up a room is to use what you already have around the house.
Switch out the rug in your living room with that in your bedroom and rework the space around a new color scheme. Just because something isn’t new to you doesn’t mean it won’t feel new in a different space.
And note to self: there are many ways to decorate for fall that don’t revolve around colors. Textures can also be very important.
Going from a low-pile rug with a relatively smooth surface to a high-pile rug with lots of texture and softness can be a game-changer under your feet for the season.
PS: How beautiful is the space found in Our Food Stories?! That natural light.
4. Bring the outside in.
When fall comes, I start to see twigs, dried flowers, and even dried grass appearing everywhere. So what better way to welcome the change of season than to decorate with a little nature?
A fresh vase with some dried flowers on the mantel can add a lot of texture to a space and make things feel cozy for fall. Or try something bold and decorate your entire mantel with fall foliage, sticks, candles, etc., like this mantel decor from Anthropologie.
This is another one of those fall decorating ideas that could also be completely free, since you can get most of these materials right outside your door.
5. Repaint your walls!
Does the basic gray builder that’s been on your walls since you moved in make you feel like you’re stuck? Change it!
Be sure to get permission from your landlord if you are renting. But in most cases, they won’t care, as long as you agree to paint it back to the original color.
Try a pop of color or opt for a more neutral earth tone, like this one from BloggaiBagis. Either way, a color change can make a room look completely new.
6. Restore an older piece.
Is your coffee table begging for an update? Anything is possible with a little paint (or stain) and a little effort.
Try repainting a piece of furniture like I did with this entry table or how Leanne Ford painted these wicker chairs (above).
7. Try some new window treatments.
This tip is especially easy if you already have curtains hanging! Changing your curtains can add some color and can be quite affordable if you look in the right places.
If you have a sewing machine and can sew in a straight line, making new curtains from scratch is very easy.
First, measure the length you need and cut it with an additional 4 inches of length. Next, sew a 1/4″ hem on the sides and a 2-inch hem on the top and bottom. I use IKEA curtain clip rings to easily change curtain panels. The options are endless, but I especially love these mustard velvet curtains (above) from Colombe.
8. Make some new decorative tables with your own hands.
There are some really interesting consoles, side tables, and coffee tables, like this amazing DIY wooden accent table from Smor. Or the simple terrazzo side table I made a while ago.
9. Try some new art.
Feeling adventurous? You may not be the next Picasso (me neither), but I bet you can still create a cool new work of art.
Choose some colors that work well in your space and try some abstract art, like this piece I found at Remodelista. It is the home of Kai Avent-deLeon, owner of the concept store. Sincerely, Tommy. By using different brush sizes or just painting random lines you can create a cool piece that is truly unique!
Or take a note from Leanne Ford’s book and paint a canvas a single color for a large-scale work of art. With gesso and acrylic paint, you can create a textured canvas that, even if it’s just one color, can make a big impact. *I also did this a few years ago when I had huge studio walls to fill and I showed how to stretch your own (really big) canvas in the process, if you want a guide to get started: How to stretch a giant canvas. hand canvas. It’s cheaper this way than buying one pre-made and you can make it any size you want!
Do you think you’ll try some of these tips? Let me know in the comments! I’m curious to know how you are refreshing your space for fall.
