Halloween is nearly upon us and plenty of people are decorating their porches appropriately, but if you're looking for a look that is less ghostly and more classy and autumnal, then you might want to consider these fall decor ideas. They'll help you create something that'll last a bit longer and won't scare anyone away.
Plus, you can always add in some spooky extras once you've got a good fall base.
To make sure you avoid making fall decorating mistakes, I spoke to Rosa Eichman, founder of the Porchscape Concierge, to discover the dos and don'ts of decorating your porch this fall.
01. Aim for balance
"Tasteful fall decor is all about balance, texture, and tone," explains Rosa. "It should feel warm and seasonal without being overdone or tacky"
In terms of colour, Rosa explains that the most elegant porches blend muted, natural colour palettes – think soft terracotta, creamy whites, sage greens, and weathered neutrals – with organic materials like pumpkins, mums, hay bales, and cornstalks arranged with intention.
The intention part is absolutely key. "Every element should look collected, not cluttered, like it belongs there naturally," Rosa adds.
02. Use a cohesive palette
When it comes to choosing a colour scheme, it's easy to slide into bright gaudy colours, which can look tacky. "Start with a cohesive palette – choose three to four tones and carry them through your pumpkins, florals, and accents," says Rosa.
"The biggest mistake is doing too much – using every colour, shape, and decoration available," she adds. "Instead, edit your choices for a more cohesive and sophisticated presentation."
03. Play with symmetry and layers
Make sure that you play around with different layers for a more interesting fall porch display. "Layer heights and textures using hay bales, urns, and grouped pumpkins to create depth," says Rosa. "Keep symmetry in mind, but don’t be afraid of slight asymmetry for a natural, effortless look."
Don't neglect scale either. "Tiny pumpkins on a large porch get lost, while too many oversized items can overwhelm smaller spaces," Rosa explains.
04. Use a mix of items
"We love a mix of heirloom pumpkins, ornamental gourds, and hardy mums as the foundation for fall decor," says Rosa. "Cornstalks and hay bales add beautiful height and texture. For a polished finish, decorative urns or planters with grass and seasonal blooms create a layered, designer look. We also recommend adding a neutral seasonal wreath to tie it all together."
One final, but very important tip? "Avoid overly bright orange plastics or novelty pieces that can cheapen the look."
This wreath doesn't cost the earth ($45.99) and is simple yet stylish. Use it to decorate your door or windows or buy a few and use them to adorn several parts of your porch.
If you don't want to get all natural pumpkins, then this stylish set of two ($59.99) can help bring that fall spirit to your porch. The muted tones will work wonderfully with softer colour palettes.
There are lots of wreaths available for halloween but I think you'll get more use out of this fall/thanksgiving wreath ($87.99). This is one of the most beautiful I've found.
05. Let the decor enhance your home
Don't forget that your decor is there to enhance your home's architecture, not compete with it, says Rosa. "The goal is to welcome, not overwhelm."
And once you've achieved that final look, don't forget the upkeep. "Keep mums watered, pumpkins dry, and displays refreshed so your porchscape looks beautiful all season long."
For some spookier porch ideas, see our tasteful Halloween porch ideas.
