Low Budget Fall Decorating Ideas

Decorating for fall doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some beautiful low budget decorating ideas that don’t look cheap.

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Decorating your home for fall always makes it feel so warm and cozy, like a great big hug. The colors, the textures, and the smells of fall are so comforting. But there’s no need to spend a fortune.

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to decorate for fall that don’t cost much money. It’s part of this month’s Thrifty Style Team challenge, hosted by my friend Julie at Redhead Can Decorate. 

Each month, our team of budget conscious stylists show you creative ways to decorate your home without spending much. All of the posts are at the bottom so be sure to visit everyone when you finish here.

Fall Decorating Ideas on a Budget

There are several ways to save money (or keep from spending it) when decorating your home for fall and I’m covering just a few of them here today. You might be asking yourself the following questions about fall home decor: 

When should you start decorating for fall?

Generally, you can start decorating for fall in late August. That’s when school starts in many places so it always makes us think of things like apple cider, sweaters, boots, throw blankets, and more. As the season moves on you can add more if you want.

How can I decorate my house for fall on a budget?

When you buy things to decorate for fall, or any season, make sure they’re items that you’ll be able to use for many years. You can save money the following ways:

• Shop your home – use items that you already own
• Repurpose items with a new look (see my favorite ways to repurpose and
  upcycle items here → 29 Ways to Repurpose and Upcycle Items for Your Home)
• Watch for sales at your favorite companies – most will give you a discount
  code when you sign up for their emails
• Use items foraged from nature
• Do a fall home decor swap with friends or family
• Go to yard sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores regularly and buy
  things you like throughout the year. See my favorite finds and get tips for thrifting here → My Favorite Thrifted Finds Plus Best Shopping Tips
• Make your own wreaths, potpourri, candles, and more (See my tutorial for
  making your own candles here → How to Make Your Own Candles)
• Switch out pillow covers instead of replacing an entire pillow, or make
  your own (Follow my pillow making tutorial found here →
  How to Sew Your Own Pillows)
• Use free printable art to dress up your walls. See my favorite ideas for affordable art here → 13 Ideas for Thrifty Wall Art & Decor

What is in for fall decor?

I always say whatever you like is what’s in style, but these are some trends for this year:

• Natural wreaths – see how to make your own here -> 21 Stunning Fall Wreaths You Can Easily DIY
• Handmade pottery pieces
• Copper accent decor
• Realistic faux branches and fall florals
• Rattan and woven items
• Faux fur pillows and throws
• Warm colors found in nature like caramel, clay, and wine
• Amber bottles and vases

How do I make my house cozy for fall?

Texture and layers always make the home feel more cozy any time of the year but especially in the fall and winter. Here are a few ways to add some:

• Throw blankets
• Fall florals
• Layered pillows
• Fall scented candles
• Mums and pumpkins on your porch or steps
• Cinnamon broom
• Baked bread and apple cakes 
• Apple cider

Low budget fall decorating ideas using items from nature

Here are a few of my favorite no cost ways I’ve decorated for fall with items from nature.

Dried Oranges

Dried oranges are super simple to make and are pretty any time of the year.

Dried Hydrangeas, feathers

Even easier than dried oranges are dried hydrangeas. They’re free if you have a hydrangea bush too! See the unbelievably easy way I dry mine here → How to Easily Dry Hydrangeas.

Nuts and Pinecones

Nuts and pinecones are free if you have the right trees. Otherwise you can get them at the grocery store or a generous neighbor or friend. 

Fall Produce 

A visit to Trader Joe’s, the farmers’ market, or your local produce department can yield a wonderful variety of natural fall decor. 

Pressed Leaves

Gather pretty leaves and press them between the pages of a heavy book for free and beautiful fall decoration.

Ideas for using upcycled items for fall decorating

Green Wine Bottles Upcycled into Luminaries

Save used brown or green bottles from the recycle bin and use them in your fall decorations. I turned these into luminaries for a little more than $1 each with these → Wine Cork LED Lights

Book Pages Upcycled into Art

Scour used book stores for old art books and use the pages as wall art. 

Corks upcycled into bowl filler

The texture and color of used wine corks make them great filler for fall bowls and vases.

See more of my favorite ways to upcycle and repurpose things for your home here: 29 Upcycle and Repurpose Ideas for your home

Use Thrift Store Finds for Fall Decorating

Ironstone Pitchers and Platters

Y’all know I’m a sucker for white ironstone and most of mine was found at thrift stores and yard sales. You can accumulate a nice collection for a steal over time. They work with any color and never go out of style. 

Thrift Store Dishes

You can never go wrong with white dishes.

And sometimes you can find brown transferware or other colors that can be used in your fall decorations.

Thrifted blue and white dishes can be used with copper accent pieces for a classic fall look.

Old Books

Old books in fall colors are another inexpensive way to decorate for fall. 

Thrift Store Art

Always look through the artwork at thrift stores and yard sales. You can find some great pieces for a steal. This oil painting with fall trees is a favorite find from a tag sale. I think I paid about $10 for it.

Amber bottles

Amber bottles have really grown in popularity over the past few years and are getting harder to find. Check estate sales and etsy for these. 

Free Printable Art for Fall

Free printable art is an excellent way to decorate for fall on a budget. (Grab my free vintage oak leaf printable art here → Rustic Green and Copper Fall Mantel with Free Oak Leaf Printable Art)

And you can get these free hydrangea printables here → Free Vintage Hydrangea Botanical Printable Art

What are your favorite inexpensive ways to decorate for fall? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

There are many more budget friendly fall decorating ideas from my thrifty friends this month. All of the links are below, and here’s a peek at what you’ll find:

 Redhead Can Decorate – 3 Thrifty Fall Planter Cover Ideas

Our Crafty Mom – Dollar Store Pumpkin Makeover With Velvet

DIY Beautify – Easy Crochet Chain Sweater Pumpkins

2 Bees In A Pod – Fall Living Room with Thrifted Decor

The How To Home – Vintage Bean Pot Vase filled with a Sunflower Bouquet

Vinyet Etc. – Fall Cloche with Thrifted Finds

Sweet Pea – Dollar Tree Tumbling Tower Block Pumpkins

What Meegan Makes – How To Make a Faux Pumpkin Centerpiece

Postcards From The Ridge – Decorating Ideas That Will Make Your Wallet Happy

Lora B. Create & Ponder – DIY Plaid Flannel Coasters

The Tattered Pew – How To Quickly Get The Look of Aged Copper

I Should Be Mopping The Floor –White and Blue Fall Decor in the Kitchen

Chas’ Crazy Creations – Fall Nature Decorating An Easy How To Guide

Cottage On Bunker Hill – Dried Wheat Centerpiece