Bring the beauty of fall to your front porch with these festive DIY and decorating ideas that welcome cooler weather in style.
What if everything needed for a fall-ready entry was already inside of your home? Take a cue from Karianne’s entry. She dug out her supply of Christmas lanterns, filled them with hydrangea, and hung them from the ceiling. An affordable fall garland draped around the entry gets a jazzy lift with dried hydrangeas, too. A few clever details -- like the DIY framed wreath and pumpkin topiaries (she used wood skewers to hold them together!) -- give the entry an ultra-personal touch.
Photo: Thistlewood Farms
To recreate this perfectly imperfect display, start by performing a scan at the thrift store for castoff wood trunks, crates, and barrels. Beth whipped up a makeshift cornucopia by stacking items together on her porch, then tucking in potted mums and seasonal gourds and pumpkins. The key to this unfussy look: don’t overthink it! Let items tumble and land in a casual arrangement.
Photo: Unskinny Boppy
Small, covered porches are extra-enjoyable at the tail-end of summer as the weather cools. This porch channels Boho-farmhouse vibes and boosts its cozy factor with a chunky throw, assorted pillows, and woven, chippy textures. Give it a frightful Halloween twist with the addition of hanging ghosts!
Photo: City Farmhouse
Skip the traditional front door wreath and adorn the front steps instead. This staggered trio of lanterns makes an extra-welcoming statement when garnished with decorative leaves and pinecones. For a luxe touch, try these gorgeous copper lanterns.
Photo: Stone Gable Blog
This black-clad exterior gets in the Halloween spirit with energetic hits of yellow and metallics, but our favorite DIY detail is the stacked pumpkin topiary.
Photo: Tatertots & Jello
Give your porch an artistic twist with this easy Halloween craft idea. Slice a purchased pumpkin in half, spray-paint it white, and tape off and paint every other ridged section black. Use picture hooks and inexpensive, lightweight frames to hang your masterpieces.
Photo: Better Homes and Gardens
Signal the arrival of harvest season by decking out railing with items from nature. Anita tied groupings of corn stalks to her porch railing for a bit of fall flair that continues all the way to the front door. She gathered fabric remnants to make her own bows, but you can use assorted ribbons, too.
Photo: Far Above Rubies
Fall is a wonderful time of year to display nature’s bounty of seasonal mums and greenery, and this porch’s sweeping string lights and hanging zinc planters give it a romantic twist that’s easy to live with from season to season. Make the decor even more magical by hanging orange paper lanterns on light strands.
Photo: Country Living
Turn a corner into a harvest-themed vignette using a handful of accessories. A hay bale adds just the right amount of height to sling a throw across and top off with a whitewashed planter. Place faux or real pumpkins at the base of the hay bale for a color boost.
Photo: The House of Silver Lining
Why choose between festive and frightful? Easily transition from fall to Halloween with the help of well-placed (and inexpensive!) decor. Seasonal containers get a spooky update when faux feathered crows nestle within their flowers, and a caged owl perched atop a small table will be a hoot for guests -- as will a toothy Jack-O-lantern created from galvanized goods (get the how-to here).
Photo: House of Hawthornes
Use acorns, a foam wreath, and hot glue to create an easy fall wreath with major impact. Keep its natural amber hue, or use a coat of white spray paint to emphasize texture and simply change out the ribbon color to suit each holiday. Bonus: this is a great project for renters or homeowners who don’t have a full porch to decorate!
Photo: Made Everyday