Fall entryway décor – 10 ideas to transform yours for the season

As the leaves change color and the temperatures start to drop, creating warm and inviting fall entryway décor that captures the essence of the season is top of our to-do list at home.

As the first area of your home that visitors see when they come indoors, entryway ideas should always go beyond the practical, and including fall décor ideas that reflect nature is an easy way to create a welcoming space.

So if your wondering how to start decorating for fall, we're going to suggest the entrance to your home.

Fabulous fall entryway decor ideas for your home

When to start decorating for fall? We'd say it's never too early for your entryway: as soon as you start to think about the season ahead, it's time to get decorating. Below, we have a ton of ideas for fall entryway design, including some ways for decorating for fall on a budget.

1. Start outside the entryway

Fall front door decor is of course the starting point of your scheme and if you make a fall wreath yourself, you can tailor it to your fall color scheme indoors too, and tie it in to your fall porch ideas. 

'I like to make a wreath from dried foliage and flowers in fall colors,' say Jen Ebert, Digital Editor, Homes & Gardens. 'However, for speed and convenience, I tend to use a ready-made, green base. like this one from Afloral (see below, too), and wire the fall foliage into it. Then, as the season progresses, I replace the fall colors with ones that are more Christmassy. That way, I have a seasonal wreath on my door from September to January, with very little effort.'

Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Deputy Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens online. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

2. Or hang a fall wreath on a shoe closet

Entryway furniture can always be given a seasonal edge with a simple fall wreath. 

'Fall craft ideas are at their best when they use natural ingredients, and I really like to ensure those I make for my entryway, such as wreaths, are scented to make my house smell nice when I come home, or guests arrive. This means I'll often use aromatic herbs I've pruned back in the garden in fall for my wreaths, such as rosemary, lavender and sage,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. 

'I tend to leave some growth on the plants and trim throughout early fall so that I can constantly replace old, dried herbs with new, fresh herbs.'

Lucy Searle

Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens for over 30 years, starting within the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-1990s. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine, which is the UK's oldest interiors magazine at 103 years old. Lucy is a serial renovator and also owns rental properties in the UK and Europe, so brings first-hand knowledge to the subjects she oversees.

3. Decorate entryway walls with fall foliage

If you're wondering how to decorate your walls for fall, the simplest answer is to use natural elements, whether that is cuttings from some of the best trees for fall color or seasonal flowers in a vase, or framed dried leaves.

Putting fall flowers for pots outside your front door is step one; step two is having these fresh flowers wound into wreaths or, simply on a vase on your entryway table. And while wreaths are an easy way to welcome your guests into your entryway, a spruce garland over a mirror or door frame is another simple option that can be adapted as we move towards Christmas.

Some of our favorite fall entryway finds are below.

4. Use warm fall colors on entryway walls

If you're thinking of decorating tastefully for fall, one of the simplest ways to do so is to 'bring in a hint of fall with warm colors on the walls,' advises Patrick Grayson, CEO of Paramount Property Buyers.

'Choose earthy tones such as burgundy, terracotta or ochre to create an inviting feel. You can also add a wall mural or wall art in these shades to give more depth and texture to your decor.'

There are plenty of fall color schemes that can be utilized to create a warm atmosphere in your entryway to base your other design elements around.

Lisa Cooper, Head of Product and Interiors Expert at Thomas Sanderson suggests 'Toffee is a great replacement for orange whilst still bringing feelings of warmth and innovation into your surroundings.

'On the other hand, navy can bring unexpected elegance to your entryway,
with style and comfort being at the forefront of this natural hue. A bold
but soothing color, even a small hint of navy can transform your space so
begin by introducing the color in a few accessories before stepping up and
drenching walls.'  

Whether you are using warm, cool, or earthy tones to paint your entryway, coordinate your use of colors and decorations to enhance the fall theme.

5. Introduce mood lighting to a fall entryway

Having ambient entryway lighting is a key way to make sure it radiates warmth as the days get shorter and it gets darker outside more quickly. You can achieve this with something as simple as candles or a lamp on an entryway table.

Patrick Grayson says, 'To add more depth and texture to your entryway, leverage different lighting options. Install a pendant light or sconce in the foyer area for added warmth and ambiance. You can also add wall lights for a bit of drama as
well as outdoor lanterns to make the entrance more inviting.'

'Another option is to switch out bright white lightbulbs for warmer ones,' suggests Homes & Gardens Deputy Editor Jo Bailey. 'The yellow light, especially when paired with a warmer color scheme, can make the space glow on dark afternoons.'

Jo Bailey

Jo Bailey is Deputy Editor of Homes & Gardens, overseeing all features for the print edition. Before joining Future PLC, she worked as an interior stylist for over ten years, specializing in commercial photo shoots for luxury clients such as; Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, Christopher Farr Cloth and Heal's. She has worked with Homes & Gardens for over a decade, having styled and produced editorial shoots and events over the years.

6. Style a fall entryway table

Been meaning to style the console table in your entryway? Now is the perfect time to give it a seasonal makeover. The most impactful way to do so, and far easier and quicker than redecorating the entire entryway is to give painted furniture a new look with a fresh coat of paint in a bold fall color.

'I find that my entryway furniture gets a little beaten up through the summer when the kids are home so much, so it's the perfect time for me to give my entryway console a new look,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens. 'Often, I'll switch it back to a more neutral paint color for spring (when, once again it needs a refresh), but it's a really impactful way of decorating an entryway for fall, with very little effort.'

7. Layer up rugs

When summer ends, it's a nice touch to lay a rug in an entryway. Firstly, it allows you to easily introduce fall colors – opt for textured rugs in rich fall hues such as burgundy, burnt orange, deep greens, or brown – and, secondly, it is a practical move to absorb any damp footprints for those who haven't quite wiped their feet, or managed to remove their shoes at the front door. 

'You may also want to experiment with layering your rugs to add depth and visual interest to your entryway,' says Jo Bailey, 'though be sure you're not creating a trip hazard.'

8. Add some comfort with texture

Introducing texture in your interior design is always an easy option for making a space feel cozier, more visually interesting and warmer. You can do so in an entryway with pillows and soft blankets on your entryway bench, an attractive door mats, even lighting with textured shades. 

These are some of our favorite buys. 

9. Incorporate rustic elements

Nothing says fall like rustic design features, such as woven baskets and lanterns. You can use these elements to create some pretty fall table décor ideas to make a charming display.

'Create a harvest-inspired display on a console table or shelf. Arrange dried corn stalks, wheat bundles, or a basket of apples for a charming fall touch', suggests Ilia Mundut, Founder & CEO of HeftyBerry.

Ilia Mundut

Ilia Mundut is the Founder & CEO of HeftyBerry, a store for wreaths, interior decor, and home and garden designs.

10. Hang an entryway curtain

Just like rugs, entryway drapes across a front door aren't just a practical way to keep drafts out of the rest of the house, they are a wonderful way to add color, pattern and texture to your space.

'This might be a decorative element you take down and put away in spring, or swap out for a curtain with spring colors. Whatever, there's nothing better at the end of the day than coming home, shutting the door on autumnal weather and pulling that curtain across,' says Jen Ebert.

FAQs

To welcome fall, create a warm and inviting entryway using rustic motifs, warm colors, and fall themes will get you in the seasonal mood.