Originally Published on August 31, 2023. Last Updated on May 13, 2024.

Fall comes around every year, bringing cooler weather, garden harvests, and changing leaves. We celebrate the season by donning thick sweaters, baking sweet and spiced treats, and filling our homes inside and out with autumnal decor.

We’ve gathered 11 fall decorating ideas for outside spaces that fit a variety of tastes. From porch to patio, here’s how to bring those gourd vibes home.

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Plaid Fabrics
S’mores Bar Cart
Fire Pit Tables
Mums
Coordinating Pet Beds
Autumnal Archway
Fall Color Palette
Rocking Chairs
Front Door Basket
Fall Mailbox Swag
Deep Seating
FAQs

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1. Plaid Fabrics

We love plaid because the pattern is versatile, colorful, and reminds us of cozy flannel shirts. Pair plaid throw pillows with outdoor sofa cushions in a solid hue or have bushel baskets filled with thick tartan blankets so guests can cozy up when they visit.

2. S’mores Bar Cart

Bar carts are for more than just adult beverages. Next time you host a weekend bonfire, prepare your bar cart with all the s’mores fixings and other seasonal delights like hot cocoa, cider, and apple cinnamon donuts. Add charm with strategically placed pumpkins and gourds, and use serving trays and utensils in warm hues like amber or cream.

3. Fire Pit Tables

A crackling fire warms up an outdoor space in more ways than one. The added heat and light stave off the chilly, lengthening nights so your family can sit outside longer and listen as grandpa tells another story, the kids have “just one more” s’more, and your hearts are further filled with memories.

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  PRO TIP:  
Bring a seasonal feel to your outdoors with a fire pit table in a warm color like Teak or Mahogany, and surround it with seating in coordinating hues.

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4. Mums

Mums bloom throughout the fall, making them favored yard decorations among homeowners. Since they come in a variety of colors, mums play well with many styles and themes. Go for a rustic look with yellow flowers filling galvanized buckets, or add a pop of color by styling bright purple or red mums in muted grey pots.

Let’s not forget that mums are perennials—when planted at the right time. Get your mums in the ground during early spring to give them time to establish roots. They’ll reward your efforts by growing back to greet you every fall. 

5. Coordinating Pet Beds

Our two- and four-legged family members use outdoor spaces, so keep your pet in mind when picking out patio or front porch decor. A quick online search will lead you to all kinds of cozy pet beds, thick cushions, and soft blankets in any fall color you can imagine. This way, your best friend can stay comfortable (and stylish) when spending time with you outside.

6. Autumnal Archway

Whether styled at your front gate or the end of the aisle during your backyard wedding ceremony, an archway festooned with fall decor will catch anyone’s attention. Here are a few fall yard decor ideas for inspiration.

• Spooky season: layered black tulle, faux cobwebs, and dried red roses.
• Vineyard garden: grape vines twined with orange roses and bittersweet.
• Rustic farmhouse: tall corn stalks and hay bales flanking the sides topped with a homemade leaf garland.
• Flower power: swags of sunflowers, mums, hanging amaranthus, and spray roses.

7. Fall Color Palette

If there’s anything that stands out about fall, it’s the kaleidoscope of colors that Mother Nature shares before winter sets in—the dusty beige of dried corn husks, the red-to-yellow ombre on fresh apples, the contrast of a birch tree’s black-and-white bark and yellowing leaves.   

To capture these stunning hues, try styling a cinnamon and cream outdoor tablescape or line your front steps with blue-grey Jarrahdale pumpkins and Baby Boos in a rainbow of coordinating colors.

8. Rocking Chairs

Rocking chairs are ideal for fall porch decorating. With so many styles and designs available, the possibilities are limitless. 

Line your long front porch with rocking chair sets so family can sit together and watch the leaves change. For cozier areas, make a single rocker the focal point and couple it with a complementing side table and a perfectly sized outdoor rug. For the most versatile front porch setup, try neutral shades that seamlessly transition from season to season. 

9. Front Door Basket

Take a break from front door wreaths and opt for a hanging door basket instead. You can buy one pre-made on Etsy (and support a small business) or head to Pinterest for DIY inspiration and craft your own.

Whether you build or buy one, ensure it fits your entryway’s style. For example, if your front entrance leans into modern farmhouse style with white walls and black trim and doors, offset the shades with a pale wicker basket filled with bright yellow sunflowers. Or, if you have a coastal cottage porch with white shiplap siding and a light blue door, pick a dark basket with dried pampas grass and bunny tails. Add beachy vibes with a few cream-colored shells and sand dollars.

10. Fall Mailbox Swag

Spice up your curb appeal with mailbox swag. Swags are like wreaths in that they’re hanging decorations, but they’re shaped differently, starting wide at the top and tapering inward toward the bottom (like a piece of candy corn). Purchase seasonal swags online or make your own like the one shown in the image above from HGTV. It uses fake flowers and leaf garlands, faux floral craft foam, and wire coat hangers. 

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  PRO TIP:  
Secure your swag by tying it down with hidden zip ties or wires. Autumn weather can be fussy, and you don’t want your hard work to be undone by storms or strong winds.

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11. Deep Seating

Use all-weather deep seating furniture to create a comfortable outdoor relaxation area that doubles as a festive fall vignette. Select pieces in neutral colors like grey, beige, or white because they’ll fit right in with any seasonal decor. A large jute rug underfoot with a smattering of squat pumpkins and potted mums will bring the perfect amount of autumn flair. 

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FAQs

How should I decorate outside for autumn?

Here are a few ways to decorate outside for autumn:

1. Swap outside summer accessories with autumn yard decorations like hay bales and pumpkins. 
2. Freshen up the landscaping with popular fall flowers like asters, black-eyed Susans, and mums. 
3. Adorn your patio furniture with outdoor throw pillows and cozy blankets in warm fall colors.
4. Hang an autumnal wreath on your front door.
5. Paint your home’s address numbers on a festive pumpkin topiary.
6. Decorate your mailbox with leafy garlands or seasonal swags.

When can I put fall decorations outside?

Put fall and Halloween decorations outside in late August or early September while the weather is agreeable and the days are still long. Plus, the earlier the decor goes up, the longer your family will get to enjoy it. Just remember to take the spooky decor down when Halloween is over.

How do I decorate my front porch for fall?

Start with your front door—it’s the focal point of any porch. Hang a fall wreath or basket on it, then work outward with layered welcome mats placed in front of the door and pumpkins and potted mums on either side. 

If your front porch is larger, fill the space with neutral-toned furniture like rocking chairs, Adirondacks, and accent tables, and top the seating with cozy throw pillows in hues like ochre, copper, or burgundy. Light the longer nights with lanterns housing flameless candles and strands of softly glowing LEDs overhead.