Fall Decorating on a Budget: Easy Ideas for a Cozy Home (2024)

Fall is the perfect time to cozy up your home with some budget-friendly decorating ideas. As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, it’s the perfect opportunity to add some warm and inviting touches to your living space. Whether you’re looking to add some seasonal flair to your home or just want to refresh your decor, there are plenty of ways to do it without breaking the bank.

One of my favorite budget-friendly decorating ideas for Fall is to incorporate natural elements into my decor. This can be as simple as cutting a few branches of Fall leaves and displaying them in a vase or using pinecones to fill a bowl on your coffee table. You can also add some warmth to your home by swapping out your lightweight summer curtains for heavier, cozy ones in warm autumn colors. Another easy way to add some seasonal charm to your home is to switch out your throw pillows and blankets for ones in fall hues like burnt orange, earthy browns, and golden yellow. With a little creativity and some smart shopping, you can create a cozy and inviting home that’s perfect for fall.

Understanding Your Space

When it comes to decorating your home for Fall, it’s important to understand your space. This means taking into account the size of your rooms, the natural lighting, and the existing furniture and decor. By doing so, you can put together a cohesive and cozy look without breaking the bank.

ROOM SIZE

First, consider the size of your rooms. If you have a smaller home like I do you’ll want to avoid cluttering it with too many decorations. Stick to a few statement pieces and add pops of Fall colors through accent pillows or throws. A small room can quickly feel busy and cluttered if you try to shove too many decorations into it!

If you have a larger space, you can incorporate more decorations, but be sure to keep it balanced and not overwhelming.

LIGHT

Next, take note of the natural lighting in your home. If you have a lot of natural light, you can incorporate more earthy and natural elements into your decor, such as dried flowers or branches. If your space is lacking natural light, opt for warmer, cozier colors to create a welcoming atmosphere.

EASY FALL TOUCHES

Finally, consider the existing furniture and decor in your home. You don’t need to completely overhaul your space to decorate for Fall. Instead, incorporate seasonal elements into your existing decor.

For example, swap out your usual candles for Fall-scented ones or switch out your throw pillow covers & throws for cozy ones.

By understanding your space and incorporating budget-friendly Fall decor, you can create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere in your home without breaking the bank.

Decorating for Fall On a Budget

Here are my top tips that helped me to decorate on a budget:

• Take Time To See What You Have: Before you start shopping, take a look at what seasonal decor you already have. I’ll be the first to admit that I forget half the stuff I have until I open my Fall bin!!
• Look around your home: Walk through your rooms with an open mind and see what things you already have that could be reused in different ways.
• Determine your priorities: Decide which areas of your home you want to focus on. This will help you allocate your budget accordingly.
• Research prices: Look online and in stores to get an idea of how much items cost. This will help you set realistic expectations for what you can afford.
• Set a spending limit: Set a specific amount that you are comfortable spending on Fall decor.
• Track your expenses: Keep track of how much you are spending as you shop. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.

By following these simple steps, I was able to create a budget for my Fall home decorating that I felt comfortable with.

DIY Decoration Ideas

If you’re looking to decorate your home for Fall on a budget, then DIY decorations are the way to go. Here are a few of my Fall DIY ideas that you can try out:

DIY Felt Acorn Garland

This is an easy DIY Fall decor project idea even if you don’t consider yourself crafty. I’ve made my set of felt acorns using neutral color pom poms but you could use more seasonal tones to match your decorating style.

Pottery Barn Terracotta Pumpkin Dupe

This is a popular DIY project for Fall. The Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins are sold out already again this year! Here is how you can get the same look at a fraction of the price.

pottery Barn Pumpkin Dupe

Dried Wheat Fall Decoration

Save money and make your own dried wheat decoration! This is a very easy DIY Fall decor project and you only need a couple of materials to make it: floral foam, dried wheat, & a ribbon of some sort.

dried wheat decoration

Thrift Store Finds for Fall

When it comes to budget-friendly home decorating ideas for Fall, thrift stores are a gold mine. I love finding unique pieces that add character to my home without breaking the bank. Here are some of my favorite thrift store finds for Fall decor:

Vintage Furniture & Home Decor

Thrift stores are a great place to find vintage furniture pieces that add a cozy and rustic feel to your home. Look for pieces like old wooden chairs, tables, and dressers that can be easily painted or refinished to match your decor style. You can also find vintage lamps, mirrors, and other decorative items that will give your home a curated and unique feel.

Unique Art Pieces

Thrift stores are also a great place to find one-of-a-kind art pieces that add personality to your home. Look for paintings, prints, and other wall decor that catch your eye. You can also find unique sculptures, vases, and other decorative items that add texture and interest to your space.

When shopping at thrift stores, it’s important to have an open mind and be willing to get creative with your finds. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles and colors to create a unique and eclectic look. And remember, just because something is cheap doesn’t mean it’s not valuable – some of my favorite pieces in my home are thrift store finds that I either used as is or gave a makeover!

On my recent thrift store trips I’ve found such great pieces to use for decorating this Fall. Here I hung 2 thrifted framed prints that were $7.99 each and the small hand-drawn framed print on the stand was just $2.99. See the entire Fall thrifted look, you won’t believe it!

An ugly thrifted planter turned into a stylish large vase creates a dramatic look on my coffee table for my Fall look. I filled the vase with dried cress from my garden.

Decorate for Fall Using Nature

A budget-friendly way to decorate for Fall (or any season really) is to bring in the outside by adding more natural elements to your spaces.

There are free ways to add decorative touches like heading outside and cutting pretty branches or Fall flowers to add to your spaces. If you have bittersweet growing near your home it makes a beautiful accent or wrap it to make a quick wreath to hang in front of a mirror.

Dried & Preserved Botanicals

Instead of using faux flowers, this Fall try filling up a vase or two with bunches of dried or preserved botanicals. They aren’t expensive and have become easier to find at your home decor and craft stores. On a recent trip to Hobby Lobby, I noticed they have a beautiful selection of dried flowers.

Pinecones

I love incorporating natural elements into my home decor, especially during the fall season. One of my favorite ways to do this is by using pinecones. They are easy to find and can be used in so many different ways.

I’m lucky enough to just have to walk into the woods behind my house and pick up pinecones (just be sure to put them in a ziplock and throw them in the freezer to kill any stragglers inside the cones).

One simple idea is to fill a glass vase with mini pinecones and place it on a table or mantel.

Large pinecones can be tucked into a bookshelf to add a Fall touch. Or fill a basket with pinecones and put it on your coffee table.

Feathers

A natural touch that you might not have thought about is to add feathers to your seasonal decor. They add a natural element but also give your space a vintage feel.

You can tie a few books together with jute twine or ribbon and tuck in a feather. Or add a few feathers into a small jar and pop it onto a shelf.

Feathers also are a pretty accent to add to your Fall wreaths.

Using nature in your fall decor is not only budget-friendly, but it also adds a cozy and natural touch to your home.

Color Schemes for Fall

When it comes to decorating your home for fall, choosing the right color scheme is key. Here are a few color schemes that I recommend:

Warm and Cozy

For a warm and cozy feel, I like to use colors like deep red, burnt orange, and honey yellow. These colors are perfect for throw pillows or blanket throws. Add some neutral colors like beige and brown to balance out the warmth.

Rustic Charm

If you’re going for a rustic look, try using colors like forest green, deep brown, and dark red. These colors are perfect for pillows, throws, area rugs, and wall art.

Remember, you don’t have to stick to just one color scheme. Mixing and matching different colors can create a unique and personalized look for your home.

Wrapping it Up

So there you have it, my top budget-friendly home decorating ideas for Fall. I hope this article has given you some inspiration and ideas for how to spruce up your home without breaking the bank.

Remember, decorating your home for Fall doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. With a little creativity and some DIY spirit, you can transform your space into a cozy and welcoming retreat for the season.

I’ve shared tips on how to incorporate Fall colors, textures, and patterns into your decor, as well as how to repurpose items you already have. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles and elements to create a unique and personalized look. And always keep an eye out for deals and discounts on home decor items, whether online or in-store…don’t forget to stop by your local thrift or vintage stores!

Finally, don’t forget the power of small details. Light a Fall scented candle, change a couple of your throw pillow covers (this is what I do), or add a wreath to your space can instantly add warmth and charm. So have some fun and experiment with different ideas until you find the perfect Fall decor for your home. Happy decorating!

xo, Jennifer

Next up on our Early Fall Inspiration tour is my sweet friend Rachel who is sharing 25 Creative Fall Decorations for Your Tables

Early Fall Inspiration From Fellow Bloggers

Easy First Touches of Fall Decor // White Arrows Home

Neutral and Natural Fall Home Tour // Willow Bloom Home Blog

Simple and Charming Minimalist Fall Decor Ideas // Eleanor Rose Home

Fall Decorating on a Budget: Easy Ideas for a Cozy Home // Cottage on Bunker Hill

25 Creative Fall Decoration Table Ideas for Your Home // The Ponds Farmhouse

How to Create a Festive Fall Table Setting // Cottage in the Mitten

6 Easy and Affordable Fall Centerpieces That You Can Make Yourself // White Lilac Farmhouse

How to Make a Stunning DIY Faux Fall Tree That Looks Real // WM Design House

How To Make A Fall Book Page Leaf Garland // Midwest Life and Style

5 Ways To Cozy Up Your Kitchen This Fall // She Gave It A Go

Favorite Faux Fall Stems for Your Home this Year // Pasha is Home

Easy Fall Flower Arrangement // Sand Dollar Lane

Easy Fall Pumpkin Pillow Cover DIY Using A Vintage Chenille Bedspread // Southern Crush at Home

Simple Ideas for Decorating Fall Living Room Centerpieces // Robyn’s French Nest

19 Easy Ways to Transition Your Home Decor From Summer To Fall // Shiplap and Shells

Early Fall Decorating // Paint Me Pink Blog

Transition Summer To Fall With Simple Changes // A Stroll Through Life

Easy Fall Wreath For Your Front Door // Amy Sadler