8 Tips for Beautiful Fall Decorating on a Budget

Sharing my 8 Tips for Beautiful Fall decorating on a Budget with DIY projects & ideas, making the most of what you have, pumpkins & where to find fall decorations on sale.

Last week I shared my fall home tour with you guys & sometimes I worry that when people see pretty pictures of our farmhouse that they think I have a large budget to decorate with. 

Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth!

I spent around $25 this fall, all on pumpkins alone. 

I have a soft spot for pumpkins….I tried to plant some of my own but who can’t grow pumpkins….apparently me? 

If you are looking for fall decorating on a budget, than you have come to the right place!

8 Tips for Beautiful Fall Decorating on a Budget

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Tip ONE – Use Nature for Fall Decorating on a Budget

God really is the best decorator. 

I am always surprised why people will spend money on what they can decorate with for free. 

Now, I realize there is the bug factor but pine cones can be baked & they make you house smell amazing.

I have been known to transport greens, acorns, sticks, leaves, sweet gums & pine cones home with me from local parks, walks with Moose, and neighbours yards (with their permission of course)! 

Although, we are really fortunate to have a lot of that in our yard now.

Even if you don’t have anything growing in your yard most of us have parks nearby. 

I lived in a row home in Philly for 10 years when I was a little girl even there I had leaves, pine cones & acorns to collect. 

I added maple leaves to almost every fireplace mantel in my house. 

The leaves have a huge impact and they are beautiful!

I did buy a few pumpkins this year & I am hoping to plant some successfully next year so they can be free too!

Tip TWO – Make Your Own Fall Signs for Fall Decorating on a Budget

I have made signs now for all 4 seasons as well as changing out my 2 chalk boards to reflect verses or sayings appropriate for the season. 

I made my fall sign with some spare wood from the garage & leftover paint.

Pinterest is a fantastic place to find inspiration. 

Free Printables are another great way to decorate for the seasons! 

You don’t need one creative bone in your body for these… just access to a color printer. 

Tip THREE – Keep it Simple for Fall Decorating on a Budget

There is no need to decorate the decorations.

I am still preaching this to myself, ha!

I love to decorate so it is tempting to think more is better but it’s just not…at least not for me.

Smart simple decorating is way classier & you appreciate the pieces so much better. 

I really like how my 3 little white pumpkins look on mantel that would have been lost with lots of “other”stuff. 

And they were only 69 cents each.

You also can never go wrong with candy corn!

Tip FOUR – Don’t Buy New, Use What you Have!

Use the bowls, bar jars, baskets, cloches, kitchen scales that you already have. 

I really like the look of our family’s rain boots under our diy entryway table in our foyer. 

It brings color but it is also really practical for all the rainy days we have had lately. 

Notice I also only need 1 pumpkin on the table to share that it’s fall.

Tip FIVE – DIY or Make your Own Fall Decorating on a Budget

As I said in tip #2 joy can be found in the process of creating. 

Just check out my velvet pumpkins on my dining hutch. 

For under $2 each to make they are not breaking anyone’s bank. 

Tip Six – Buy Your Decorations at off Season Sales & Thrift Shops

I love my Pottery Barn pillows & I paid $28 last February for my pumpkin pillow in the family room. 

I usually don’t spend that much on a pillow cover but I really liked it & it was orginally $69.50! 

I almost never pay full price for anything especially for seasonally decorating. 

It is just not how I was raised. 

As a former thrift store manager I actually think sometimes you can score a better deal off season from even stores like Pottery Barn! 

Some thrift shops around me have gotten a little crazy in their pricing but you can still get a deal if you go often.

Tip SEVEN – Shop Online (Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon)

Be patient & keep searching usually I find exactly what I am looking for at the right price eventually. 

Don’t give up!!!

I am constantly checking online on Ebay, Amazon & Craigslist for items I want.  I give my favorite Craigslist tips here. 

The plaid throw is actually a blanket scarf  Neal Link(tm)retro Voile Bohemian Women Vintage Voile Soft Scarf Large Beach Wraps Shawl Dragonfly Sheer found on Amazon for $16. 

I didn’t really count it my fall decorating on a budget because I will wear it more than use it as a throw this season.

Tip EIGHT – Make it Personal

It’s OK to check out inspiring home blogs & magazines ( I am constantly)  but don’t forget to make the space your own. 

Add pictures of your kids or family wearing costumes & picking apples. 

It’s important to add those reminders of why you love the season & who you are decorating for.

I change out the pictures in the basket on the wall for more seasonal pic.

 It’s filled with my kids in costumes & apple picking trips of the past. 

And that apple on the coffee table is one of 2 from our newly planted apple trees.

I hope this inspires you guys to start fall decorating on a budget.  What do you guys think?  Do you have any budget friendly fall decorating tips you would like to share?

by Tara Lehman

UPDATE – For More Fall Decorating on a Budget Ideas & to see our Full Farmhouse Fall Tour, Check out my newest post, HERE.

Don’t forget to pin my fall decorating on a budget to your fall board or follow me on Pinterest!!!

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