Nothing says fall more than colorful mums, pumpkins, and corn shocks on your porch. To add a touch of the season to your home, spruce up your curb appeal, and welcome your friends with the warmth of the season, consider a few of these fall porch ideas for your home.
1. Natural Arrangements
As summer flowers fade, you can still create appealing front porch displays using natural elements. Create arrangements using large urns filled with dried branches or grasses with the seed heads on top. Deep-hued berries like pokeberry, autumn olive, or staghorn sumac can be incorporated to add color. Colorful leaves and long sprays of goldenrod can fill in the gaps, creating a rich, textured look. Other natural items to include in your fall display include:
- Gourds
- Mini pumpkins
- Pinecones
- Cinnamon sticks
- Dried apple
- Wheat stalks
- Dried corn cobs
Hold items in baskets or wooden crates to create a charming, farmhouse-inspired look.
2. Fun and Country
A country-inspired fall porch is a great way to involve the whole family in decorating. Carve jack-o’-lanterns with your children—a timeless fall tradition that adds a playful touch to your porch. To make your jack-o’-lanterns even more eye-catching, give them “hair” by inserting chrysanthemums into the top. Alternatively, place potted mums on bales of straw on either side of the porch for a rustic look.
3. Get Cozy
If you’re lucky enough to have a long, deep porch with rockers and a swing, make it a cozy place to gather with just a few touches. A fuzzy throw over the back of a rocker or swing seat and a few fall-patterned pillows will make drinking your morning coffee more comfortable.
An area rug keeps your toes off the dew-covered floor, and cinnamon-scented candles create a warm, glowing ambiance. If you don’t have one already, add a small table. It provides the perfect place to rest that serving tray of hot cocoa. To further enhance the ambiance, consider adding an outdoor heater or firepit; it’s perfect for those crisp autumn nights and extends the usability of your porch.
For an additional touch of charm, include some lantern-style candle holders or mason jars filled with fairy lights to sprinkle soft illumination for those cozy evening gatherings.
4. Pumpkins, Of Course!
Pumpkins, the country’s favorite cucurbits, come in more colors than orange. For a contemporary home, consider white pumpkins that go with every color scheme. Pumpkins also come in blue, green, yellow, and tan, and some even have stripes.
Mix and match pumpkins of different sizes. Smaller pumpkins can be grouped in decorative bowls or baskets or used to accent other fall decorations. You might also paint pumpkins with metallic paints or use stencils to create patterns. Adding personalized elements like initials or monograms can give your pumpkin display a distinctive look.
Don’t forget about gourds—these quirky relatives of pumpkins come in fascinating shapes and colors, adding whimsy and texture to your fall porch decor. Arrange them in a vintage wooden crate or wheelbarrow for a charming, rustic display. You can even carve out some of your larger pumpkins for festive planters for small autumn flowers or succulents, making your décor multi-functional and environmentally friendly.
5. A Pumpkin Topiary
Pumpkin topiaries are a creative and eye-catching way to decorate your front entry for fall. To create your own, you’ll need the following materials:
- Two large planters
- Pea gravel
- Six pumpkins (two large, two medium, two small)
- Two long dowel rods
- Dry grasses or autumn foliage
Follow these steps to assemble your pumpkin topiaries:
- Fill the planters with pea gravel for stability.
- Remove the stems from the four larger pumpkins and drill holes through their centers.
- Drill holes halfway into the bottom of the two small pumpkins, but not all the way through.
- Sink a dowel rod into the center of the gravel in each planter.
- Thread the pumpkins onto the rods in order of size: largest at the bottom, medium in the middle, and smallest on top.
- Arrange dry grasses or autumn foliage between the pumpkins to fill gaps and add texture.
For added flair, wrap the dowel rods with faux ivy or twinkle lights before assembling the topiaries. This will bring a glow to your entrance when the evenings begin to darken earlier.
6. Mums!
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a fall staple that can instantly brighten up your porch with vibrant colors. Use decorative planters to elevate your mum presentation—and don’t worry if you don’t have matching containers. Good ideas for unconventional containers include:
- Antique apple crates
- Half-bushel baskets
- Hollowed-out pumpkins
- Old washtubs
- Vintage pickle crocks
Choose mums in complementary colors or stick to a monochromatic scheme. Pair your mums with other fall elements like mini pumpkins, gourds, or colorful leaves.
The key to vivid mums lies in their care; water the mums consistently and deadhead any spent blooms to ensure they flourish for as long as possible. Don’t forget to protect them from frost by moving the planters indoors during cold snaps.
7. Lights Aglow
Proper lighting can transform your fall porch. Some fall lighting ideas include:
- Carved pumpkin lanterns: Instead of traditional jack-o’-lanterns, carve small holes in mini pumpkins to create twinkling lanterns. Place battery-operated tea lights inside for a safe, enchanting glow.
- Lanterns: Place decorative lanterns of varying sizes around your porch. Fill them with battery-operated candles or fairy lights for a cozy ambiance.
- Luminaries: Create fall-themed luminaries using paper bags with cut-out designs. Place battery-operated candles inside and line your walkway or porch steps with these glowing decorations.
- String lights: Drape warm white or amber-colored string lights along your porch railing or wrap them around pillars. Use novelty lights shaped like autumn leaves or acorns for a whimsical look.
- Twinkle light pumpkins: Drill small holes in artificial pumpkins and insert individual twinkle lights for a starry effect.
Remember to consider safety when using lights in your outdoor decor. Opt for battery-operated or solar-powered options when possible, and always follow manufacturer guidelines for outdoor use.
