8 simple, seasonal ways to decorate for fall on a budget – interior designers' top tips

Decorating your home for the changing seasons can feel quite exciting, but the costs quickly stack up. Between Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, you’re not alone if the vast design possibilities are taking a toll on your wallet. Creating a cozy sanctuary for the colder months is of the utmost importance though, and every detail of your fall-ready home makes a difference.

The good news is that festive, fresh fall decor is within your reach, no matter how much cash you’re working with. From found natural details to light fixture reconfigurations, these are interior designers’ top tips for accessible fall decor that’s sure to last all season long. Whether you’re looking to make your house look cozy or add warmth to a room, this is all you need to know, according to the experts.

Decorate for fall on a budget  

From arranging lighting that sets a cozy mood to changing out your home's hardware for the perfect fall scheme, these designers have all the right ideas when it comes to fall decorating.

1. Incorporate found fall foliage

'Fall is likely the best season to decorate on a budget, due to the abundance of natural, found objects,' says Stephanie Housley, founder and principal of Coral & Tusk. 'The addition of fall foliage to any space, regardless of the region you reside in, is the perfect way to enjoy the many textures and colors special to the season. Other items that I love to discover and gather while walking are dried fruits and nuts from trees like beech, sweetgum, oaks and pinecones.'

Fall's natural environment provides the perfect opportunity to build out a nature-inspired vignette of your own, incorporating all the bold hues and lush textures the great outdoors has to offer. Amber Shay, National VP of Design Studios at Meritage Homes agrees, saying that fall foliage is a must in a budget-friendly autumnal home.

'Consider a wreath of fall leaves for your front door, use pumpkins for seasonally themed centerpieces for your dining room table, and cut branches from trees to create more sculptural and natural floral arrangements,' she says.

'Take advantage of autumnal decorating opportunity to make your home cozier,' adds Jessica Cinnamon, interior designer and founder of Jessica Cinnamon Design. 'Fill existing bowls and vases with a variety of colorful miniature pumpkins and gourds. Collect seasonal items on outdoor walks and add to vases with seasonal florals. Arrange areas to have groups and display of pumpkins in key areas like your entryway or dining room and kitchen island.'

2. Create a cozy glow with lighting

Creating the perfect fall design scheme doesn’t rely on all-new decor. Although your home's lighting should be perfectly layered all year round, ambient lighting becomes more important as the days become shorter.

‘With the days getting shorter and nights getting longer, we must up the coziness, the lighting should be inviting and comforting – not too bright and not too harsh – ensuring just the perfect level of warmth,’ explains Giuliano Ghidini, consumer commercial leader at world-leading lighting systems company Phillips Hue.

‘Ambient lighting, often referred to as mood lighting, illuminates the whole room uniformly,’ he continues. ‘It can offer a soft warm glow making your home cozy and inviting. Whether you are curled up reading an enticing book or watching a thrilling film – smart lighting can offer you the perfect lighting for any occasion.’

‘Layer lighting by bringing in an assortment of lamps – this will create a subtle autumnal ambiance in the home,’ adds David Amos, CEO at Amos Lighting + Home. ‘Using lamps in the evening, as opposed to spotlighting and ceiling lights, creates a softer lighting look which will affect the overall mood of the home. For a comforting environment choose warm lighting, with soft tactile shades.’

3. Save with soft, impactful furnishings

One of the most fall-worthy decorating ideas is incorporating soft furnishings throughout the home, as they can easily be swapped out as the seasons change. When decorating for fall on a tight budget, consider adding in and layering textiles that have distinct textures to elevate the space and foster a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.

Sam Hood, co-founder, and chief creative officer at AMARA, says that warm blankets are often the most reached-for piece of decor as the weather starts to turn. 'Adding fabrics, including cushions, throws and rugs help to soften a room and increase the sense of coziness. You should also think about what materials you want these luxury accessories to be,' she adds.

'Opt for knitted throws, fluffy blankets, soft cushions, and shaggy rugs for a real sense of autumnal coziness,' Sam continues 'These fabrics will help to add layers of texture to your decor and break up any hard edges or surfaces with their soft lines. Not only that, the fluffy materials are perfect for making you feel cozier as the nights get colder.’

Rob Ellis, head of design at dwell, adds that soft cushions and chairs ensure your living room feels cozy and ready for hosting at a moment's notice. ‘Opt for warmer colors and textural fabrics to give a seasonal feel,' he says.

‘Small accessories such as cushions, throws, and lighting is an inexpensive way to make your spaces feel more autumnal,’ adds Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft. ‘Place a soft throw over your armchairs and turn on a table lamp. Keeping your lighting low will also help create a more cozy atmosphere.’

4. Consider homey, handmade decor

Making your own home decor doesn't have to be a laborious process resulting in makeshift or tacky decorations. Consider crafting your own fall wreaths using cuttings from your garden for a homey, handmade touch. Alternatively, use flowers you have cut and dried yourself to adorn festive fall table decor to welcome your family with a personal touch that'll last all season.

If making your own decor pieces when decorating for fall on a budget is not for you, consider artisanal, handmade pieces that will provide the comforting appeal of a crafted item without the added effort. Shop locally for a low-lift, sustainable seasonal refresh.

5. Place pumpkins across your home

Although obvious, pumpkins are one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to decorate for fall. While picking pumpkins from your garden or fresh from a pumpkin patch is perfect for getting the whole fall experience, pumpkins can be found in abundance from local stores in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors to decorate your fall porch ideas and beyond. When using pumpkins as decor, think about when to put pumpkins out to make sure they last for the spooky season and beyond.

6. Channel fall with rich colors

Whether you are considering paint ideas, planting plants for fall color, or want to add color more subtly through decor pieces, there are some surprising ways to use color in fall you should consider when creating a festive space on a budget.

‘Combining rich colors, playful patterns, and decorative details, this look is all about embracing creative expression and injecting a bold, joyful energy into a space,’ says Claire Hornby, head of creative at Barker and Stonehouse. ‘Earthy mustard yellows and vivid cobalt blues hum happily alongside dusty reds and khaki greens, whilst rattan weaves and organic wood grains offer natural warmth. Together these elements exude a bounty of confidence and grounded optimism.’

‘If you are wanting to make more of a dramatic change you can paint the wall or even ceilings,’ suggests Kelly. ‘Painting ceilings is a trend we have seen a lot this year and can help make your spaces feel more cocooning. Stick with a natural color palette such as taupe, terracotta and warm creams. Don’t be afraid to bring together colors, styles, and patterns that clash a little. An eclectic combination can have an incredibly powerful and uplifting effect.’

No matter what budget you're on, there are plenty of ways to update your home for fall. Get prepared for the cozy, cocooning hosting season with fresh, found details and soft throw blankets for an autumnal getaway right at home.