36 Fall Porch Decorating Ideas to Try This Season
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Long nights with a refreshing drink and good company might be your porch vibe, but just because summer is over doesn't mean you can't continue to make the most of that outdoor space. The best way to ensure your porch is put to good use all autumn long is to decorate it. And since summer flowers aren't going to be in bloom much longer, it's time to think about how to revamp your porch for fall. Whether you go all out with pumpkins and bales of hay or give it a simple seasonal update, these porch fall decor ideas will surely steer you in the right direction. But before you place a carved pumpkin on your stoop and call it a day, we have a few ideas for how you can up your outdoor decor game this season.
Paint Your Door Blue
Blue isn't a color that's typically associated with fall, which makes it the perfect unexpected choice for painting your front door this season. Try a seafoam blue backdrop for a wreath with a coral orange bow, like on this home designed by Elizabeth Pash.
Incorporate Wood Accents
For an easy addition to your outdoor seating, add a wood stump side table like the one in this outdoor space designed by Emily Henderson. When paired with sleek, black furnishings, it'll offer a rustic touch that's not overpowering.
Add a Pop of Color
If your home boasts an all-white exterior, consider a simple pop of color. Set out two large planters filled with orange-brown plants, like the ones flanking the front door of this bungalow designed by Leanne Ford. They're the perfect size for making a statement.
Hang a Quilt
Bring art to the exterior of your home by hanging a quilt. You can buy a weatherproof quilted blanket or make one yourself from performance fabrics in the colors and patterns you desire. Let this vignette designed by Anthony Baratta serve as major inspiration.
Lean Into Orange
Orange is practically the leading color of fall. Go all out with orange lantern sconces, cushions, blankets, and rugs. Add wicker chairs and accents to boost the overall warmth, like on this front porch designed by Amanda Lindroth.
Select Rusted Planters
Give your outdoor plants a new home by putting them into pots made of rusted metal. The aged look will make your front porch appear rustic and lived-in. Consider a bucket shape with short plants, like the ones on this porch designed by Cameron Design Group and Lucas Studio, Inc.
Update Your Welcome Mat
Anyone who wants to be festive but put in minimal effort to do so needs to simply swap out their welcome mat. Get one that's tan and red, like the one on this porch designed by Sharon Lee. Or browse all of the fall-themed ones available at your favorite retailers, like HomeGoods.
Go With Bright Red
Cherry red can look good from summer to fall. Replace your outdoor cushions with bright red covers to give your front porch showstopping curb appeal. Add a red armchair for extra flair as designer Tom Scherer did in this space.
Add Bistro Chairs
Bring more texture into your space by swapping out cushioned dining chairs for woven rattan bistro chairs. They look especially rustic around a wooden dining table, like the one in this screened-in porch designed by Karen Cohen and Ani Antreasyan. They added sconces and candlelight for extra warmth.
Layer Tablecloths
For an easy seasonal upgrade, dress your porch dining table with two tablecloths that are reminiscent of the season. Here, a red-and-white plaid tablecloth underneath a more universal cream tablecloth with sparse navy stripes creates a unique, cozy look.
Repurpose Summer Florals
A metallic floral wreath will complement dried hydrangeas beautifully (which offer a sustainable way to add florals and get a second life out of your summer favorites!). We love how the welcome mat ties the pale orange and lavender hues together.
Swap Out Lightweight Furniture
Swap out summery-toned patio furniture (if it's lightweight!) with something for fall. Barry Dixon opted for muted orange chairs and a matching table here.
Balance Out the Summery Vibes
Any porch can look fall-ready with the right decorating treatment. Though the cushions and carpet here are a nice coastal cobalt blue, the hanging plants and orange foliage give it a cozier, autumn atmosphere. The string lights also make it feel more intimate.
Hang a Fall Wreath
Hanging up a wreath is the best way to give your front porch a little fall flair. And it's super easy. Go all out with a harvest wreath or keep it understated with an elevated seasonal wreath like this one.
Spotlight Foliage
Let the foliage do all the talking. This sleek, modern home designed by Ore Studios boasts understated decor in order to allow the gorgeous Puget Sound backdrop to set the scene. It's beautiful in every season, but the red autumn leaves outside frame the saturated accents popping behind the glass walls beautifully.
Add Color
Update your front porch in the most budget-friendly way possible: by painting thrift store-sourced wicker chairs bright red. Then add a ton of pumpkins (bonus points for using apple crates as a pedestal) and hang your fall wreath with a bright ribbon. Take note of this fall-ready front porch at Pearson Farm.
Screen It In
Want to keep enjoying the outdoor living benefits of your porch during the fall? Consider screening it in so that you can still lounge on the porch while admiring fall foliage with a blanket and a cup of tea as the seasons change. Here's a handy guide if you want to screen it yourself.
Frame a Window
Make a window pop by draping a fall garland around the frame. Add a plaid throw to a porch swing and then use treestumps as little side tables.
Repaint the Front Door
If you want to give your front porch a seasonal refresh but don't have a ton of space for pumpkins and all that glorious fall jazz, consider repainting the door. This cheerful orange hue is a great option.
Opt for a Timeless Wreath
Sometimes a simple wooden wreath is best. Not only will it match with various topiaries, welcome mats, and other front porch decor as the seasons change, but it'll also never die.
Use Dried Florals
Dried florals are a great way to spruce up the front porch for fall. They animate the space and can thrive in cooler climates. We're loving the rustic feel of this one with the vintage repurposed planters at Los Poblanos Farm.
Weather-proof It
If you have a wrap-around porch that you use for dining and lounging, weather-proof it with curtains that can insulate it and keep the rain out. On this porch, designer Ken Fulk played up the striped slipcovered chairs and sherbet throw pillows with playful orange and white curtains.
Symmetry Is Key
Think beyond the stoop and line the front walk with pumpkins, mums, and stalks of corn. Don't forget up top, either. Mini gourds on ledges put a seasonal spin on traditional window boxes. If you don't have enough room on your porch for a big display, simply relocate it to the front yard. It creates a natural focal point and provides support for heavier elements.
Use Colorful Mums
Affordable mums are the ultimate fall plant. Use a mix of containers to set off the rainbow of blooms, and then mix in some pumpkins for a seasonal anchor, as done here at Los Poblanos Farm.
Lean a Broom
Designer Tom Scherer propped up an antique-looking broom that's both functional for quick maintenance sweeps and a cheeky nod to Halloween.
Get Personal
Decorating a pumpkin with your house number guides both trick-or-treaters and Thanksgiving visitors alike—or mark the spot on the silhouette of your favorite state. So much more personalized than your average Jack-o-Lantern (and more grown-up).
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Add Boxwoods
Potted boxwoods are a great way to spruce up your front porch for fall. They're all-season plants, so they'll look great even as the weather changes. These tall container gardens make a big impression. So it doesn't feel overwhelming, stick to two planters flanking the door.
Go Gilded
Mixed metals can make even gourds look glam. Think beyond orange, yellow, and red—silver and gray tones are cool, fresh, and modern. We're all about these metallic-painted pumpkins on this front porch.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Add Throw Pillows
Add a fun throw pillow on a bench to make it cozier and inviting. Bonus points if you include more than one weatherproof cushion.
Set Up Seasonal Seating
Just because summer's over doesn't mean we're ready to head indoors yet. Add a bright red bench to your front yard, which offers a cheery spot to admire the autumnal foliage. And don't be afraid to spread the decor to the front lawn if the porch isn't spacious enough for all your fall decor.
Get the tutorial at Four Generations Under One Roof.
Swap Out Summer Colors
Make the decor feel more timeless and last a little longer into the season by swapping out the bright cheerful summery pieces for neutrals.
Make It Lush
Climbing vines can make just about anything look incredible. The way they frame this archway, with a whimsical pendant and iron-wrought French doors below, creates a warm, California welcome. To keep the patio area from feeling too summery, they opted for red potted flowers—perfect for fall.
Incorporate Grass
These tall potted grasses prove fall plants can be just as exciting as summer ones. Add pops of color with small chrysanthemums. Opt for urn planters for a fittingly dramatic/haunted feel for October.
See more at Flores del Sol.
Add Floor Cushsions
A floor mat, pillows. and potted plants can help liven up a space. Swapping out your pillows is an easy (and cost-effective) way to upgrade your front porch each season. Have fun with color, and bring in some floral motifs to reflect the surrounding landscape.
Make Pumpkin Planters
You could turn the porch lights on, but glimmering jack-o'-lanterns offer an even better welcome. Copy these leafy garlands using a free template or try one of our other carving ideas.
Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.
Get Colorful
Filling containers with autumnal flowers can bring a pop of color to your doorstep. To make it more visually interesting, choose plants in a variety of colors and textures.
See more at Flores del Sol.
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