Decorating for fall on a budget.
It wasn’t always this way, but now fall is probably my favorite of all the seasons. There’s a lot to love – the changing leaf colors, the cute fall clothes, and the cool temperatures.
But there’s nothing I love more than the feeling of change that fall brings. I don’t know what it is, but every year around this time I feel the need to move and change (almost) everything in my house. Does anyone else feel this way?
If you’re craving a change but don’t have the budget to completely redecorate and refurnish your space, I have 9 affordable fall decorating ideas that I think you’ll love. Including some ideas that won’t cost you a penny!
1. Swap your pillows.
It sounds simple enough, but changing your pillows can make a big difference. It can change the color scheme or bring some texture to a seemingly flat space.
Try bringing some cool-season fabrics like fur, velvet, or sherpa (or a combination of the three)!
Still need help? Try changing out a linen pillow for a velvet one (like those dreamy velvet pillows pictured above from Studio Giancarlo Valle) or swapping a bright pink pillow for a deep mustard.
2. Finish with fall-appropriate textiles.
When I think of fall, I think of cool evenings spent relaxing on the couch (or my bed).
Having a fuzzy throw nearby to keep you warm or the perfect rust-colored bedding (like this one from Bed Threads) to give you those fall-colored vibes are great options for seasonal textiles.
3. Use what you have.
One of the easiest (and completely free) ways to transform a room is to use what you already have around the house.
Replace the existing rug in your living room with the rug in your bedroom and redesign the space with a new color scheme. Just because something isn’t new to you, doesn’t mean it won’t look new in a different space.
And note to yourself: There are many ways to decorate for fall that do not revolve around colors. Textures can be really important too.
Going from a low-pile rug with a relatively smooth surface to a high-pile rug with lots of texture and softness can be a game-changer under your feet for the season.
Note: How beautiful is the space in our food stories?! This is natural light.
4. Bring the outside in.
When fall begins, I start to see twigs, dried flowers, and even dried grass appearing everywhere. So what better way to embrace the changing season then decorating with a little nature?
A gorgeous vase with some dried flowers on the lid can add a lot of texture to a space, and make things feel cozy in the fall. Or try something bold and decorate your entire mantle with leaves, sticks, candles, etc. — like this scarf decor from Anthropologie.
This is another one of those fall decorating ideas that can be completely free too, as you can get most of these materials right outside your door.
5. Repaint your walls!
Is the basic gray color that’s been on your walls since you moved in making you feel like a mess? Change it!
Be sure to get permission from your landlord if you are renting. But in most cases, they won’t mind as long as you agree to repaint it to the original color.
Try a range of colors or go with a more neutral, earthy tone, like this one from BloggaiBagis. Either way, changing the color can make the room look completely new.
6. Refinish the old piece.
Is your coffee table begging for an update? Anything is possible with a little paint (or stain) and some elbow grease.
Try repainting a piece of furniture like I did with this entry table or how Leanne Ford painted these wicker chairs (above).
7. Try some new window treatments.
This tip is especially easy if you have curtains already hung! Swapping out your curtains can bring in some color and can be very affordable if you look in the right places.
If you have a sewing machine and can sew a straight line, making new curtains from scratch is easy.
First, measure the length you need and cut it with an additional 4 inches. Then sew a 1/4-inch hem on the sides and a 2-inch hem on the top and bottom. I use curtain clip rings from IKEA to easily replace curtain panels. The options are endless, but I especially love these mustard velvet curtains (above) from Colombe.
8. DIY some new accent tables.
There are some really cool consoles, sides, and coffee tables like this gorgeous wood accent table from Smor. Or an easy terrazzo side table I made a while ago.
9. Try some new arts.
Feeling adventurous? You may not be the next Picasso (neither am I), but I’m willing to bet that you can still create a great new piece of art.
Choose some colors that suit your space and try some abstract artwork, like this piece I found on Remodelista. It’s the home of Kai Avent-deLeon – owner of the concept store Sincerely, Tommy. By using different brush sizes or just drawing random lines, you can create a really cool and unique piece!
Or take a note from Leanne Ford’s book and paint a canvas in one color for a large-scale piece of art. Using gesso and acrylic paint, you can create a canvas that has real impact, even though it is just one color. *I did this a few years ago too, when I had huge studio walls to fill, and showed how to stretch your (really large) canvas in the process, if you want a guide to getting started: How to Stretch a Giant Canvas by Hand. It’s cheaper this way than buying a pre-made one and you can make any size you want!
Do you think you’ll try some of these tips? Let me know in the comments! I’m curious to hear how you’re renovating your space for fall.
