45 Easy Fall Decor Ideas to Make Your Home Cozy
Updated: Jan. 30, 2024
These easy fall decor ideas are perfect for an afternoon of crafting, and they'll look great in your home from Halloween until Thanksgiving.
Pumpkin pie garland
If you love sweets as much as we do, you’ll have a table dedicated to dessert at your Thanksgiving gathering (because desserts deserve as much love as the turkey). Make a cute pumpkin pie garland to hang above it, because the more pumpkin pie we have around, the better. Get some orange and pie crust-colored felt, some twine, white chenille, hot glue and a pair of scissors and check out Less than Perfect Life of Bliss‘s post to learn how to make it. Here are some more pretty pumpkin decor ideas for this fall.
Embroidery hoop spiderweb wreath
While you probably won’t want to give up your trusty embroidery hoop, picking up a new one and painting it black makes the perfect base for this spiderweb wreath. Once you have the faux spiderweb stretched between the rings, use hot glue to attach the plastic spiders, and soon you’ll have a cutesy nod to Halloween within your home without the actual creepy crawlies to worry about.
Canning ring pumpkins
This cute craft combines two of our favorite things: pumpkins and canning! Dig through your stash of mason jar lids and gather 20 rings, all the same size—it’s OK if they’re a little rusty. Thread them on a length of twine, all facing the same direction. Then, tie the twine in a tight knot and fan the rings out so they look like a pumpkin. Finish with a cinnamon stick and felt leaves, if desired. For more autumn decorations, check out these pretty fall wreath ideas.
Metallic apples
Want some sparkle and shine in your fall decorations? Aside from purchasing gold accent pieces like votives, vases and more, painting faux apples with a wax metallic finish is the perfect way to get the perfect amount of glisten and gleam in your fall decor without going overboard. To make the metallic apples, old makeup sponges come in handy—just swipe some metallic finish from the stem to the base, and soon you’ll have some apples shiny enough for Snow White. Get the step-by-step directions from Atta Girl Says.
DIY acorns with twine
While you could easily pick up some faux acorns from the store, make candy acorns or even gather them outside, making DIY acorns for decoration means you can personalize them however you like. Plus, you’ll get to repurpose your plastic Easter eggs from earlier in the year. Get the directions from Domestically Beautiful, and keep these Easter egg crafts if you still have some leftover.
Dried flower hanging mantel
If you don’t have a mantel above your fireplace already, this is your sign to make your own this fall. With a little help from a 1×3, and whatever fall foliage you like, create a seasonal hanging mantel with elements like a leaf bushel, wheat, eucalyptus and pampas grass that will serve as a statement piece in your living room. Get tips from Amber Thrane on how to make it.
Thankful board
Turn the annual question of “what are you thankful for” into a visual display with the help of an old frame. Use small screw eyes and twine to weave a web across the back of the frame. Then, encourage friends and family members to write their blessings on a leaf-shaped piece of craft paper. Want more DIY fall decorations? Try these pretty Thanksgiving ideas.
Happy fall, y’all wall decor
This autumn decor craft is so pretty, folks might think you got it at the store. But in all truth, it’s not so hard to put together once you’ve got your supplies. You’ll want to start with a foundation. You can find unfinished wood plaques and signs at craft stores like Joann. You can paint or stain this base to suit your taste. Then using stencils or your very best hand lettering skills, trace on the design of your choice. We recommend tracing it with chalk first in case you want to tweak anything. Then use your favorite craft paint to fill it all in.
Cinnamon stick candles
Don’t overlook cinnamon as just a spice for fall baking—keep it in mind when thinking about fall decor ideas as well.
It’s super simple: put a rubber band around a candle, and tuck different lengths of cinnamon sticks around the whole perimeter. Then, tie twine around it in a bow to cover up the rubber band, and you’re done! Find more Halloween decorations that take 30 minutes or less.
Pampas pumpkin with macrame tassel
While using a pumpkin as a vase is as classic as can be when it comes to fall decor ideas, you can up the style factor by using a pampas grass in place of a regular bouquet. Go the extra mile when making this pampas grass pumpkin by weaving your own macrame tassel, or skip it and let the pampas grass shine. Don’t forget you have the option to use colorful pampas grass too.
Spooky spider wreath
Boo! Scare up an award for spookiest house on the block with this crafty Halloween wreath. Use silver spray paint to color a basic twig wreath, then embellish with pom-pom spiders, creepy craft flowers, a painted sign and gingham ribbon. For an added touch, weave yarn through spokes of the wreath to create a spider web pattern!
Apple candle holders
On a chilly fall day, lighting a candle feels almost as cozy as snuggling up with a chunky knit blanket. So naturally, making festive candle holders is a great way to decorate your space for fall.
While they can also be turned into caramel apples that last all season long, faux apples can be a perfect votive for tea lights. To make the DIY apple candle holders, start by cutting out a hole at the top for the candle. Light a candlestick that’s the same color as the tea light, and let it get hot enough so you can drizzle its dripping wax down the sides of the apple.
Chic cement houses
Decorating for fall doesn’t have to be expensive. Instead of tossing your old milk cartons in the recycling bin, use them as molds for these teeny tiny houses. Craft a house shape out of the cartons with tape and cardboard, then fill with a vinyl cement repair mix. When dry, cut away the cartons, sand down the edges and add finishing touches with a paint pen.
Candy corn pompom wreath
Pompoms are simply the cutest, and when you make them the colors of the best fall candy, they’re even better! While it might seem intimidating to make all of your own pompoms for this candy corn wreath from Little Miss Celebration, a pompom maker makes it a breeze. Be prepared to spend a little time on this craft, but it will pay off when you’re reminded of candy corn every time you walk through the door. Make these candy corn cookies to match.
Pumpkin soap
Fall decor shouldn’t be limited to the kitchen and living spaces—the bathroom deserves some attention, too. While you could easily hang a fall garland across the mirror, making your own pumpkin soap would be a subtle (yet delightful!) nod to autumn in a place you won’t normally expect it. Whether you choose to make soap with the help from some pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters or go for pumpkin-shaped soap instead, you’ll be grateful you took the effort to update your bathroom every time you wash your hands.
Pumpkin planters
We know you have a collection of those cheap, orange pumpkin pails in the basement. Give them new life with this pretty planter craft. Simply remove the handles from each pail and patch the holes with tape. Then, fill ’em up with vinyl cement repair mix. While the cement is still wet, push a rock-filled plastic cup into the center of the pail. Once dry, remove the cup, cut away the plastic pail and sand down any rough spots. Finish your planter by decorating the face of the jack o’lantern with acrylic paint and adding your favorite fall flowers! For more autumn decoration ideas, check out these fall porch styles.
Playful pinecone wreath
Fall crafts don’t have to stick to the same red, orange and yellow color palette to be festive. In fact, incorporating a few funky colors can add new life to a classic craft supply like pinecones. To make this wreath, paint the edges of pinecones with multiple colors of craft paint. And don’t worry about collecting the pinecones yourself—you can find them for sale in the floral aisle of your favorite craft store or online. Once dry, use hot glue to stick the pinecones to a wire wreath frame. Get the full details from Sarah Hearts.
Gold initial pumpkin
We love fall crafts that come together in just a few minutes. This gold initial pumpkin from Alice and Lois fits the bill. Taking a pumpkin—real, fake, up to you!—sketch on your initial or even a simple design (think a moon, star or witch’s hat). Then press in gold thumbtacks to bring your design to life.
Thankful place cards
Count your blessings on Thanksgiving with this cute place card idea. Fold craft paper into an envelope that can fit your silverware inside. Then using just a felt pen (and your best penmanship) create your Thanksgiving design. Finish off with stickers, stamps or just a quickly drawn leaf. This is a great way to get the family reflecting on the year and what everyone is thankful for.
Feather centerpiece
Looking to depart from traditional centerpieces this fall? Trade in flowers and gourds for feathers! To make a version of this fall craft for yourself, you’ll want to grab some floral foam, feathers (use the ones from the craft shop—not the ones you find on the ground), moss (find this in the floral section of shops like Michaels) and the container of your choosing. Insert the foam into the container making sure it fits snugly. Then fill with as many feathers as you choose. Fill in any gaps at the base with the moss. This is a great way to give a nod to Turkey Day without being too over-the-top.
Fall pompom barn wood sign
This fall pompom barn wood sign from My Sister’s Suitcase is a more textured take on other fall wooden signs. Pick up some floral balls from the craft store, and cut them from the stems. Write your own message on a wooden sign (you can make your own sign or pick one up), and then glue the floral balls—or even regular pompoms—by tracing over the letters.
Fall garland
Customize an adorable fall garland to decorate your porch or mantle using felt, some twine and some hot glue. To make this one, stock up on felt sheets from the fabric store in the seasonal colors of your choosing. Then cut out the bunting shapes and letters that you need for your phrase. We love this one, but feel free to go classic with a simple “happy Halloween,” or opt for other fun sayings like “give thanks” or “happy fall, y’all!” Just glue the pieces together and glue onto your strands of twine. So simple! Get the full tutorial over on A Beautiful Mess. We could see this being the star of the show at your Thanksgiving dinner—no matter your style.
Pumpkin cross stitch
Slow stitching on a cozy afternoon more your crafting style? You’ll want to print out this adorable pumpkin cross stitch pattern then! With just a few skeins of floss, you’ll have an adorable print suitable for framing or displaying right in the embroidery hoop. This fall decorating DIY has us craving all kinds of pumpkin bread.
Camp mug candle
Something about camp mugs screams fall—one full of your favorite hot cocoa especially. But you can ditch the cocoa and turn your favorite mug into a cozy candle. To make this, you’ll want to follow the basic candle-making procedure: affix the wick to the bottom of your mug and fill with wax. You can even scent it using essential oils. Get the full details over at Poppytalk.
Trick-or-treat pumpkin turned centerpiece
We can’t get enough of this plastic pumpkin upcycle. All you need for this one is a plastic trick-or-treat pumpkin and some gold spray paint. We’re sure you’ve got one of these pumpkin buckets at home, but if not, try the dollar store (it’s a great place for seasonal deals and craft supplies). All you have to do is spray paint the pumpkin any color of your choosing. Then fill up with flowers (real or fake), place it on your tabletop and wait for the compliments to roll in. You’ve got Hip2Save to thank for this one!
DIY spider wreath
This creamy and classic take on a Halloween wreath from Pink Peppermint Design will be something you want on your front door every year—and might be one of the easiest crafts you make, too. Start off with a premade white berry wreath, some faux spider web and plastic spiders. Simply wrap the spider web around the wreath, and stick the plastic spiders to it. You can use glue if you’re having troubles getting the spiders to stick, but you might not need it.
Framed feather art
Give your home a nod to fall with framed feather art. This one is easy! Mount store-bought feathers (you can find them at stores like Michaels and Joann) with scrapbooking adhesive to a piece of cardstock and frame. The result is part-bohemian, part-rustic and just right for any home decor. We might even leave this one up all year!
Sweater weather pumpkin
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Let friends and fam where you’re at with an adorable letter board-inspired pumpkin. Just use your spare letters from a trendy felt letter board (you know the ones) and press them into a pumpkin—real or faux. Don’t have a letter board? You can sub in scrapbook stickers! Get the full scoop, plus how to color these letters, on A Girl and a Glue Gun.
Leaf-printed tea towel
Want a fall craft you can use all season long? Try this tea towel. To make it, start with a clean tea towel or flour sack towel. You can find plain versions at your local craft store or buy a pack online (make spares to give to your pals!). Be sure to wash them first to remove any fabric coatings from the manufacturer. Then using a leaf-shaped stamp and fabric-safe paint, stamp the pattern right onto the towel. We love this falling leaves print, but feel free to use other fall shapes like pumpkins and acorns, too.
Toilet paper pumpkins
Toilet paper may not be the first (or even the last!) thing to come to mind when you think of fall crafting supplies. But trust us: by wrapping up a roll with some fall fabric, you can create a cute (and squishy) pumpkin that matches any fall decor color scheme you’re going for. After you choose your pattern, tuck the corners of an 18″ x 18″ piece of fabric into the center of the roll, as well as a cinnamon stick to serve as the stem, and you’ve got yourself a pumpkin in under five minutes flat.
When fall is over, you can either save the toilet paper pumpkins to put on display for next year, or deconstruct the pumpkin, use up the toilet paper roll, and use the fabric for something else.
Haunted house pumpkin
Who can resist this adorable fall craft? It looks a bit tricky, but we assure you it’s a cinch! All you need for this one is a faux pumpkin (you can find these at most craft stores and even some big box stores), a small haunted house figurine and some dark craft paint. To make, trace an oval onto your pumpkin and carefully cut this out using a craft knife. Then paint the inside of your pumpkin a dark blue to make it look like the night sky. Place your haunted house figure inside and secure with some hot glue. You can finish it off with some moss or festive paper shreds for a more complete look. Not into haunted houses? You can reimagine this craft and use a barn figurine for something more harvest-inspired.
Cinnamon stick wreath
We love fall crafts that are more than just crafts. This cinnamon stick wreath is obviously charming but it also gives your home that fall scent of cinnamon—yum! To make, all you’ll need is a wire wreath frame, whole cinnamon sticks, twine and some decorative berries. Assembling is easy. Just use hot glue to affix the cinnamon sticks to the frame. Then weave in twine and berries until you get the look you love. Find the full tutorial at Crafts Unleashed. Want more holiday scents at home? Try these stovetop simmers.
Cork place cards
Who doesn’t love a five-minute craft? These cork place cards and markers are perfect for labeling your favorite dishes or letting folks where to sit on Thanksgiving day. To make them, simply cut a slice off a wine cork to create a flat bottom. Then cut into the cork to form a slot to place in name cards or labels. Easy! And don’t worry if you haven’t saved any corks. You can buy unused corks online perfect for crafting.
Gratitude pumpkin
Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on everything you’re grateful for, and this gratitude pumpkin idea from Passion for Savings provides the perfect place to write down your blessings. At the same time, it serves as a cute centerpiece and conversation starter. Simply pick up a pumpkin with a large enough stem to tie a ribbon around it, grab a sharpie and encourage your guests to get writing!
Pumpkin centerpiece
Need a 15-minute craft to complete your tabletop or entryway? Look no further! To make this adorable pumpkin centerpiece, you’ll need a faux pumpkin, a gold felt-tip marker and some silk flowers. To make, just cut a small opening in the top of your pumpkin with a craft knife. Then write the phrase of your choosing, be it “hello fall,” “give thanks” or just simply “welcome” on the pumpkin. Then fill the top with the silk flowers of your choosing. Get the step-by-step guide over at Lolly Jane.
Rustic jar toppers
Giving away treats in jars this season? Make the presentation just a bit sweeter and layer on a layer of burlap. Take it to the next level and stitch a pretty design on top. That pretzel is the perfect finishing touch for gifting this spiced maple mustard recipe.
Mini pumpkin garland
Isn’t everything cuter in miniature? These desserts certainly are and so is this pumpkin garland from Lovely Indeed. You can make this garland by stocking up on mini foam or plastic pumpkins. Then paint each a new color. This classic orange, black and white scheme is just right for Halloween but opt for metallics for a more autumnal feel or even wild colors to show off your personality. Once dry, tie each pumpkin on a long strand of thick thread or thin twine.
Wool pompom garland
Want to feel snuggly all season long? You’re going to want to try one of our favorite autumn decor ideas: a woolen pompom garland. This one is so simple. Using a long needle and thick thread, string together wool balls to make a garland. You can find pompoms like these online or use standard pompoms from any craft store. String them across your mantle, headboard or just about anywhere for warm, fuzzy feelings from fall all the way through winter.
Fall picture frame wreath
Do you have a perfectly good frame that just doesn’t match with your home’s style anymore? This unconventionally-shaped wreath repurposes a frame that you don’t want, but is in too good of shape to toss or give away. Save it by wrapping it with burlap, and gluing the fall foliage of your choice to it, whether it’s orange roses, burgundy chrysanthemums, or eucalyptus. If you like, you can add a fall sign to one side, or skip it and add more flowers instead.
Just be careful when you are hot gluing the burlap to the wreath—Aubree of Aubree Originals warns that it can seep through and burn your fingers.
Faux caramel apples
Some desserts are inherently seasonal—and caramel apples represent fall in a way that only pumpkin pie can really compete with. That’s why these faux caramel apples are one of many perfect fall decor ideas for your kitchen.
Pick up some faux apples from the store, and mix together some caramel-colored paint with Mod Podge, so that your painted apple will not only look like caramel, but be sticky like it, too. House of Hawthornes rolled the apples in corn cob guinea pig bedding to imitate chopped nuts, but we don’t see why you couldn’t use actual chopped nuts, M&Ms, or other nonperishable toppings you like instead.
Display on a platter, and you’ll be in the mood for caramel apples all season long. Make some caramel apples that you can eat, too!
Bat cloches
If you have cloches as decor within your home, you know how tempting it is to purchase new seasonal contents every few months for them. But this fall, make your own seasonal decor for them without having to spend much money at all. Simply trace and cut out these bat-shaped printables on black construction paper, hang them with clear jewelry cord from the top, and it will look like you have flying bats on your fireplace. Create more festive bat-shaped items for your home like this bat cake or bat pizza.
Painted pumpkins and gourds
A pumpkin can be a blank canvas for anything you like, whether it’s a quilting pattern or the word “thankful.” To make a word stand out from the surface of your pumpkin, trace over the letters with hot glue, let it dry, and paint over it with a few coats of paint that contrast the surface of the pumpkin. Find more pumpkin painting ideas to try this year.
DIY leaf bowl
If you love fall’s colorful leaves, this fall decor idea is for you. This craft gets a little sticky, but once it dries you’ll have a pretty (and leafy) handmade bowl. Try filling it with something light like DIY acorns so it doesn’t break. Make sure to follow the tips from Morena’s Corner.
Wheat wreath
If you want some fall decor that nods specifically to fall as harvesting season, this wheat wreath is the perfect answer. Get a straw wreath, attach bunches of wheat to it with floral pins, and make sure to overlap them so you can’t see the pins. If you like, tie a burlap bow around it, and you’re all set to hang it up on your front door from September through November.
Mini Thanksgiving embroidery hoops
No stitching skills are required for this fall craft. Instead, you can whip up one of these (or a handful) in minutes. You’ll need an embroidery hoop—any size, though this one is three inches across and perfect as a placecard—fabric and some sticker letters. Stretch your fabric into the hoop’s frame and trim. Make sure the fabric is taut and then glue into place. Use the sticker letters to spell out different words for thanks, like merci, gracias and danke. You can make these larger, too, and hang them up for decor (and change them up for the seasons). Learn more at Homemade Ginger.
Originally Published: August 19, 2021
