Cute Fall Themed Decor Ideas for Your Home

Fall is the season of cozy sweaters, crisp leaves, and pumpkin spice everything. It’s also the perfect time to give your home a warm, seasonal refresh. From playful Halloween decorations to Thanksgiving table ideas and everyday fall home decor, here are some fun, budget-friendly ways to make your home feel festive all season long.

General Fall Decor: Cozy Vibes All Season

These decor ideas will take you from the first day of fall through Thanksgiving without feeling out of place. Bonus points for being the most low-maintenance and long-running options!

Pumpkins Everywhere – Mini pumpkins and gourds look adorable on mantels, windowsills, and bookshelves. Mix real and faux varieties for texture and longevity. Trader Joe’s or your local grocer always has some to pick up this time of year!
Warm Lighting – Swap bright bulbs for soft amber tones, or string fairy lights across shelves for instant coziness.
Leaf Garlands – Drape faux leaf garlands along stair rails, mantels, or across a dining table. They bring instant fall color without mess. IKEA is a great place for these!
Throw Blankets & Pillows – Layer plaid throws, chunky knit blankets, and amber pillows to make couches extra inviting.
Mason Jar Candles – Fill jars with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or apple-scented candles for natural fragrance and rustic charm. I’ve also recently discovered these air fresheners you can put on your HVAC air filters; they’re fantastic for pushing a scent through the entire house!

These touches give your home that sweater weather energy, perfect for family nights in or weekend guests.

Cute Halloween Decorations

Halloween doesn’t have to be spooky to be fun. For elementary and middle school families, aim for a balance of playful and festive.

Friendly Ghosts – Cut out white felt or fabric and create smiling ghost garlands. Hang them in doorways or kids’ bedrooms.
Pumpkin Patch Entryway – Line your porch with carved pumpkins or paint them with fun designs (polka dots, glow-in-the-dark paint, or chalkboard paint for kids to draw on).
DIY Bats & Spiders – Use construction paper or black cardstock to create silhouettes for walls and windows. Add googly eyes for a silly touch.
Halloween Table Settings – Swap placemats for spiderweb doilies, add orange napkins, and set out pumpkin-shaped candy bowls.
Window Clings – Affordable and easy to change out, these let kids help decorate without commitment or mess.

Thanksgiving Decor Ideas

As Halloween fades, keep the cozy fall atmosphere alive with a warm Thanksgiving setup.

Harvest Centerpieces – Use cornucopias, mini pumpkins, pinecones, and candles arranged down the center of the table. Dried florals and stocks are good too, if you don’t have too many grabby little hands.
Thankful Tree – Create a small tree with paper leaves where family members write what they’re thankful for. It doubles as a meaningful decoration.
Rustic Table Settings – Wrap cloth napkins in twine, tuck in a sprig of rosemary, and pair with wooden chargers or woven placemats.
Natural Accents – Scatter acorns, wheat stalks, and dried leaves across the dining table or mantel for a simple, earthy look. Fake versions work just as well with less mess if your family is pretty young.
Warm Color Palette – Stick to oranges, browns, deep reds, and golds for a festive fall feel.

Tips for Decorating on a Budget

Shop Nature First – Collect colorful leaves, pinecones, and branches during a family walk or in your backyard.
Repurpose Decor – Neutral fall pieces (like pumpkins and garlands) can stay up from September through November—just swap out a few accents for each holiday. I personally have some decorations that I can keep up throughout the entire fall period, like string lights and garland/wreaths, with bigger specialty pieces I swap out between Halloween and Thanksgiving!
DIY Together – Have kids help with crafts like painting pumpkins, making leaf prints, or building centerpieces. It’s a decor and a family activity in one.
Thrift & Dollar Stores – You don’t need to spend big. Many cute fall finds are just a few dollars. A much better deal than the ceramic piece for $25 at HomeGoods!