DIY FALL DECORATING - Historic Homes Edition
Now that we’re officially in the Fall Season here in the United States, I’m ready to prepare my home for colder weather with a cozy revamp. To inspire you to make your historic (or maybe just older?) home feel more like Autumn in the Northeast, I’m showing you 10 of my favorite DIY decor projects for Fall.
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Fall Decor: Autumn Updates for Old Houses
The cozy, chilly nights of Fall call for more textures and layers all around your home. That doesn't mean you need to throw out all your old decor and replace it with orange and brown. So before you head to the Target Dollar Spot, here are 20 easy ways achieve the look of a Historic Home in the Fall that will save you money and time.
I love Fall. It’s my favorite season of all the seasons. The air is crisp and everything smells a little like cloves and cinnamon. That said, I don’t go all-out with Fall decor anymore. I used to drape massive garland all around my front door and buy out the pumpkin selection at my closest grocery store.
A few years ago, it occurred to me that if I love deep, rich accent colors and luxury textiles like tweed, I could just start incorporating them into my everyday life - all year long. So I do. My home’s color palettes are pretty reflective of the seasonal decor you’d find at any home store. For me, there’s no reason to make sweeping changes to my decorating style.
Instead, when I update my home for the fall season, I bring in items from nature that are reflective of the changes we’re seeing outside. Like the last bit of my Boston Ferns that have been holding out since Spring and these nearly-brown hydrangea blooms from my backyard.
My daughter and I have a collection of nature objects that we keep all the time. We both enjoy collecting rocks, pine cones, corns, and other miscellaneous foliage during our walks around the neighborhood. Since these items are representative of the time we spend together, I have a natural to display them in our home. She’s proud of what she’s collected and the items tend to reflect the season as well.
NATURE-INSPIRED HOME DECOR PROJECTS FOR FALL
I tend to display our foraged items in bowls and baskets (a vase full of acorns really make my squirrelly heart skip a beat) but there are lots of creative ways to show off your natural findings. Here are some of my favorite bloggers’ DIT projects for nature-inspired seasonal Fall decor -
DIY Fall Leaf Display
Tylynn at Bitter Root DIY shows you how to use a store-bought ornament to create a sweet homage to fall with her DIY Fall Decor – Framed Leaf project. It’s a simple and quick woodworking craft that will make you feel like you can build anything.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Fall Leaves In A Vase
Not only is Addison from Addison’s Wonderland Blog, one of the most talented designers I’ve seen, she’s also a woman after my own heart when it comes to seasonal decor. In her Historic Fall Home Tour, she shoes you how to incorporate autumnal decor without compromising your style. I love these orange leaves against her existing blue wallpaper!
Skill Level: Easy
Decorating With Mums for Fall
Julia at Cuckoo For Design caught my attention with this gorgeous succulent arrangement! Do you have existing plants around your house? Don’t throw them out or tuck them away! Give them a simple update by tucking some mums into the dirt alongside them! Keep the soil moist and your mum clippings will last up to 2 weeks!
Skill Level: Easy
DIY Fall Pumpkin Planter
If you don’t already happen to have a gorgeous planter full of succulents, no worries! Kristin from Uncommon Slice of Suburbia has got you! She’s showing you how to take a styrofoam pumpkin from the dollar store and turn it into a gorgeous centerpiece for your fall table!
Skill Level: Easy
DIY Birch Bark Picture Frame
Wendi from H2o Bungalow always surprises me with something simple but sweet to craft! I’m particularly loving this bark wood photo frame for fall decorating. Bonus points if you find the bark while on a hike!
FALL HOME UPDATES WITH A PURPOSE
There’s not much I dislike as much as I dislike decor for decor’s sake. Because we have limited space in our 1920s Bungalow, every item in my home needs to actually function for us as well. Even our little collections serve the purpose of fond memory-making.
So this Fall, I decided to make a major improvement to our historic home’s entryway (or lack of an entryway). It’s hardly noticeable from this angle, which is ideal since this space is actually our dining room.
I built an Instant Mudroom using a piece of scrap wood and a set of 10 hooks. Total project cost? $12! Total project return? Well, just take a look to see how well our only entryway storage is functioning now that Fall is in full effect and the backpacks and shoes are piling up.
In addition to my DIY Jacket + Backpack Storage, I also added some extra function to my house by replacing the lighting with brighter fixtures.
Never one to unnecessarily spend money, I created this Schoolhouse Style Industrial Light for only $25!
DIY UTILITARIAN HOME DECOR PROJECTS FOR FALL
There’s not much I dislike as much as I dislike decor for decor’s sake. Because we have limited space in our 1920s Bungalow, every item in my home needs to actually function for us as well. Even our little collections serve the purpose of fond memory-making.
Build A Beautiful Hamper
Betsy at Happily Ever After, Etc blew my mind with her $10 Rolling Laundry Bin! I would never have thought to combine chicken wire and some old chair rollers to create such an awesome piece! It’s truly creative and functional! Use it to hide all the laundry you haven’t gotten to folding yet when last-minute guests arrive.
Skill Level: Intermediate
DIY Wood Slice Chalkboard Welcome Sign
It’s an oldie but a goodie from Shavonda at SG Style Blog. I’ve always really loved the wood slice welcome sign she had on the door of her Cottage Bungalow. I also can’t get over how much that paint color still rocks my world! Check out her Fall Home Tour from 2015 to see what I’m talking about.
Skill Level: Easy, if you purchase store-bought wood slices
DIY Tassel Throw Blanket
There’s nothing we need more in the Fall than we need blankets. After those warm Summers, our bodies chill around 70 degrees. That’s why I love this super fancy-looking throw from Sherry at Savvy Apron as a must-DIY for Fall.
Skill Level: Intermediate
FALL PORCH + OUTDOOR DECORATIONS
I touched on how to bring nature inside but I haven’t even begun to tackle decorating our outside for the new season! Lucky for you, I have lots of friends who have! Here are some great ways to give your home an extra peppy step for Fall.
DIY Fall Wreath with minimal floral accents
April at Love Our Real Life is showing you how to use a grapevine wreath mold to create this lovely and simple Fall wreath for your front door.
Skill Level: Easy
Rustic Burlap Wreath Tutorial
Typically, I steer away from rustic decor but I happen to think Fall is the most appropriate time to go a little country! Don’t you love visiting the pumpkin farms and corn mazes? You can bring a little country style home with you by creating this Burlap Wreath from Seng of Sengerson Home.
Skill Level: Easy
Front Porch Topiary for Fall
I know I’ve pinned this project from Laura at Inspiration for Moms at least once a year for a while now. That’s how I know you’ll love it too! It’s so classic and simple but looks amazingly chic! No rustic touches here! Check out her Easy DIY Fall Pumpkin Topiary.
Skill Level: Easy
Crafty Embroidery Hoop Wreath for Fall Decor
If you’re a crafter and especially if you do embroidery or cross stitch, I think this wreath from Lydi Out Loud is perfect for your front porch! Check out how she made this Wood Slice Embroidery Hoop Wreath.
Skill Level: Easy
Fall Tablescape for Outdoor Entertaining
I love to have people over and force them to sit outside with me in the Fall! There’s nothing nicer than the Autumn air coupled with good conversation and mediocre wine. If you’re looking to host an outdoor dinner this season, Jennifer at Dimples and Tangles has the perfect inspiration for your table settings and decor!
Skill Level: Easy
Easiest Fall Front Door Decor
So if you’re short on time (and seriously, who isn’t?), this is perfect for you! You can add a touch of Fall with this simple flower bucket + mums display. Simply hang it with a command hook and replace the florals every time the seasons change! Smart, right? Well it wasn’t my idea. You can thank Robin at A Home To Grow Old In for the genius idea!
Skill Level: Easiest
Fall Evenings By The Fire
This is probably why I love the season so much. I always imagine beautiful nights by an outdoor fireplace. Of course, I’ve never had an outdoor fireplace but Susie at The Chelsea Project does have one and she’s showing you how to set the scene for romance (or for just having guest over and listening to the crackle of the fire). Check out her outdoor fall tablescape.
Skill Level: Easy
TABLE SETTINGS FOR FALL ENTERTAINING
We’ve been so busy over at the California Bungalow lately that we can’t even imagine having it together enough to set the table. In fact, the last time we hosted a party, our four year old daughter took charge and set the table herself!
But one day, I’ll get my mojo back and when I do, I’m definitely reffering to these Fall Tablescapes for inspiration -
DIY Tabletop Wheelbarrow for Fall
Jaime Costiglio has always got the best plans for small wood crafts! You’ve got to check out her tutorial for creating this tabletop wheelbarrow!
Skill Level: Intermediate
Blue & White Fall Chinoiserie Decor
Who says Fall Decor has to be orange?? Not Monica at Monica Wants It! She fully embraces her love of pink and upscale glam decor with this gorgeous Fall Tablescape and her velvet pumpkins!
Skill Level: Easy
Table Setting for Early Fall
I love sunflowers and I especially love them paired with navy blue! There’s something so sweet and nostalgic about them. Michelle at Our Crafty Mom agrees. So she’s showing you how to get the look of a farmhouse table with a fall touch.
Thanksgiving Placecards From Upcycled Grocery Bags
I love it when trash becomes treasure and these leaf placards are exactly perfect for Fall! Run over to see why Morgan at My Pear Tree Home is giving me all the Thanksgiving feels with her beautiful Fall Dining Room.
SO HOW’S THAT FOR SOME FALL INSPIRATION?
Oh and one last question - Can I come over for dinner? I’m a little too tired to host this week.
SEE MORE SEASONAL DECOR INSPIRATION
Ready to add some fall + winter vibes to your home? Check out these posts to get you started.
SHOP MY SCHOOLHOUSE STYLE BUNGALOW
love this style? I do too! here are the decor items I bought to achieve the look.
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