It’s about that time! As our warm weather fades and those crisp mornings roll in, we’re getting ready to decorate! Pumpkins, baked goods, hot cups of chai tea, and all things cozy… Fall brings that sweet nostalgia that my kids and I love so much.

When you’re a busy mom juggling the school pick-ups & drop-offs (and being the glue of the whole operation), decorating can seem like just another thing to add to the list. So let’s talk about a few ways we can keep our decorating both simple and affordable this fall! Here are a few of my favorite tips.

1. Edit your decor collection. When you accumulate random pieces of decor over time, it piles up. Some items may be broken, outdated, and/or no longer match your personal style. Others might just be overflow! The process of decorating for seasonal changes can be overwhelming. An abundance of choices isn’t always a good thing!! Especially when you, after wrestling with it for a while, end up trying to squeeze every fall candle you’ve ever bought into your space at once. My advice? Pick out the items that bring you the most joy and match your style within the house (Marie Kondo-style) and ditch the random, outdated, and unloved pieces. The random holiday knick-knacks are NOT your friend… repeat after me, less is more.

2. Switch out throw pillows and blankets. Now that everything else has been pared down, it’s time to put what’s left to good use! Pull out chunky knit blankets, throws & pillows to add warm and cozy feels to your couch in seconds. If you’re looking for color inspo, think ivory, burnt orange, burgundy, plum, neutrals, and deeper greens.

3. Use items like natural greenery and candles to decorate. This one can bring warm scents & the feel of the changing colors from the outside in. Greenery is totally free and candles can be used again and again! Once you’ve used them, you can compost, toss, or reuse them another way.

4. Spruce up your kitchen. This part is so fun! Just like we replace throw pillows and blankets, swapping out towels is an easy way to subtly bring the fall feeling into your cooking space. Even more fun: shop locally at a farmer’s market for seasonal fruits and veggies. Eating and displaying these throughout the season is another one of those functional AND stylish type of wins. Since these seasonal foods vary by region, I’ve found an AWESOME resource for all of us living in the US. Find your area’s seasonal fall foods here.

5. Pumpkins on the porch! We all know the classic porch pumpkin decor routine. We can carve our pumpkins, paint them fun colors, draw designs on… it can be a great family activity to do without breaking the bank or having to buy a whole bunch of stuff. Looking to spruce it up a little bit more? Add seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums to your front porch or put out a few lanterns.

Check out our blog post on front porch ideas for fall  here.

The number one takeaway is this. Fall decor can be simple, festive, and beautiful all at once without causing a clutter storm, taking way too long, or breaking the bank! 

Here’s my challenge for you today. Think about your decor and ask:

What can I repurpose? What can I get rid of? How can I simplify and switch it up this season? Hint: Use Pinterest!! And keep simplicity in mind.

Let these tips guide the way and let me know if you have any questions! I’m here and happy to help as you transition your home to fall 🙂

x Mary