25 Best Outdoor Fall Decorations to Make Your Home More Inviting
Your house will get *all* the complements!
Fall is a great time for creatives and décor fanatics. You can DIY your own carved pumpkins or garnish your home in warm, autumn colors. And there's just something about fall candles, fall wreaths, and DIY fall projects that just get the blood in our veins moving a bit! Though, when it comes to our front lawn and backyard, that's a whole different level! If you're one to make the outside of your home look extra cute no matter the season, then this list of the best outdoor fall decoration ideas is for you. From fall planters to harvest-inspired signs, read on for tons of seasonal inspiration that give a warm welcome to fall!
Here, you'll find the very best outdoor fall decorations and yard décor ideas. After all, it wouldn't be fair to give your living room an autumnal makeover and leave your front yard out of the fun, would it? Luckily, there are yard and fall porch décor ideas aplenty on our list, not to mention tons of other opportunities to get crafty (painted pumpkin crafts, anyone?). Meanwhile, any purists out there will be glad to see many traditional fall décor ideas here as well, none of which venture too far off the beaten path. And yes, we've even rounded up a few outdoor Halloween decorations to make sure you're holiday-ready. (Bet you never thought your outdoor space could look as lovely as the season itself!)
DIY Fall Planter
Planters don't just go away after spring and summer. Lovers of autumn have plenty of opportunity to have these outdoor staples thrive in the crisp season. You can start with a dark urn planter and fill them with ornamental grasses that can handle the cool weather.
See more at Rooms for Rent.
Keep It Neutral
If you're aiming for a more calm, simple look: Neutral colors are the way to go! Pick a color palette of three or four similar colors, and paint your pumpkins (or any decorations) with them!
See more at The Merrythought.
Gourd Wreath
What screams fall more than a seasonal wreath? This one featuring a set of mini gourds is a cute DIY project to really set the mood! Some might say, it's gourd-eous!
See more at Garden Therapy.
Harvest Sign
Those feeling a bit crafty and creative can make a cute set of fall-themed signs for their front yard! All you'll need is some wood, paint, and some cutting tools! (Oh, and a camera to take pics for when your project is completed!)
See more at Home Made by Carmona.
Fall Doormat
Adding a fall doormat to your front porch is one of the easiest ways to add some autumn flare to your home! You can choose one with fun patterns and colors or opt for one with a cute and welcoming saying.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Ombré Petal Pumpkins
Though this might look like a difficult design to master, it's actually incredibly simple: Just use a stencil and foam pouncer to blend a range of complementary paint colors together as you move outward from the center of each "flower."
Make the pumpkins: Tape a floral stencil to an orange pumpkin. Using a foam pouncer, lightly dab a light-colored craft paint onto the pumpkin to fill in the center petals. While the paint is still wet, dab a darker paint just outside the center petals, blending the paints as you go. Repeat step 3 with an even darker color on the petals’ outer edges. Let dry, then fill in the stencil’s leaves (if applicable) with another color paint.
Harvest Decorations
Fall is an opulent harvest season, so line your porch with the biggest hits of autumn: corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, and wreaths. By stacking the pumpkins and bales you create a multileveled harvest scape.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm.
Galvanized Planters
The end of summer doesn't mean the end of brightly colored blooms! This blogger uses vintage "olive buckets," and places wreaths at the rim. They then set planters of autumnal mums inside.
See more at On Sutton Place.
Black Cat Wood Cutout
Black cats are the quintessential symbol of autumn and Halloween. The best part of a wood cutout kitty is that it's supposed to look distressed, so the paint job doesn't need to be perfect! A light coat of black paint gives the silhouette a rustic, vintage feel.
Get the tutorial at Jen Woodhouse.
Botanical Pumpkins
Whether or not it's Halloween, you can have fun painting an intricate design on your pumpkins and displaying them proudly outside your home. Stencils make it easy.
Colorful Mums
Who can get enough of fall mums? Not us! Now is the chance to show off the pretty orange and yellow petals alongside various-sized gourds that match their color palette.
See more at Liz Marie Blog.
Bold Band Pumpkins
Who needs store-bought decorations when you've got these pumpkin masterpieces around? This craft is a striking way to decorate your entryway—and it's easy to tackle!
Make the pumpkins: Use painter's tape to outline several stripes (or one horizontal stripe) around an orange pumpkin. For vertical stripes, tape a flower stencil inside one of the stripes, then use a foam pouncer to lightly dab paint onto it. Let dry, then remove the stencil and tape it to the next section of the stripe. Continue until you fill in the entire stripe, then repeat for the other stripes, alternating colors. To make a horizontal stripe, cut out a large flower stencil and tape it inside the stripe. Using the pouncer, lightly dab paint onto the pumpkin to fill in the stencil. Let dry, then remove the stencil and use it several more times within the stripe. Repeat with two smaller stencils.
Monogram Pumpkins
These monogram pumpkins can spell out your kids' first initials, your house number, or—if you want to really get creative—a three-letter word, like "BOO!"
Make the pumpkins: Use a pencil to draw a thick block letter on a pumpkin, then outline with painter's tape. Next, cut out and tape a large flower stencil within the block letter and use a foam pouncer to lightly dab craft paint onto it. Finally, let the paint dry before removing the stencil and repeating in different spots within the letter. Then, repeat with smaller stencils until you've completely filled up the letter with a floral design.
Floral Pumpkins
The best thing about these floral painted pumpkins is that they don't need to be watered! 😂 Paint a few blooms freehand, then prop them next to your outdoor blooms.
Wooden Lanterns
Old-timey candle lanterns give porches a rustic fall vibe. Plus, they're a piece of decor that looks cute during the day and brings light to the darkest areas of your patio at night.
See more at Julia Berolzheimer.
DIY Yard Sign
There are so many fun ways to use a DIY yard sign! You could follow this blogger's lead and highlight your favorite autumnal memories—pumpkin carving, drinking cider, making s'mores—or add the names and locations of long-distance family members.
See more at Lydi Out Loud.
Plaid Fabrics
How elegant is this set-up? Make the most of the early days of fall by splurging on a few cozy, all-weather blankets and pillows.
Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm.
Bushel Baskets
These sweet "peck" baskets will instantly add charm to your porch or yard. What's more, they've got room to hold all of your fall décor essentials, like gourds, pumpkins, and potted mums.
See more at Craftberry Bush.
Rainbow Pumpkins
Not only are these painted pumpkins fun to look at (okay, fine, stare at), but they're also a great fall activity for the little ones. Win-win!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
'Fall' Sign
A simple reclaimed wood plank serves as the base of this distressed-looking sign. You can write just about whatever you want to welcome guests to your home (or give trick-or-treaters a delight with "Boo!").
See more at Love Grows Wild.
Josiah Soto is the assistant editor of news and social for The Pioneer Woman. He helps manage the website’s social channels, in addition to writing high-performing news and entertainment content daily.
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