Table of Contents

As we bid farewell to summer and say hello to shorter days and pumpkin-spiced everything, fall decorating becomes a top priority for many. Whether your style leans rustic or you prefer something more modern, you can easily transform your home’s exterior into an autumnal oasis.

And your front porch is the perfect starting point. Here are our favorite decorating ideas to boost curb appeal and celebrate the season of coziness.

1. Modern Farmhouse Flair

Try Eva Shockey’s minimalist approach to seasonal decor: a modern monochrome palette dappled with subtle winks of fall. This elevated styling moment feels oh-so inviting thanks to farmhouse-inspired rockers, tan accents, and sage green flourishes.

A woman stands on a front porch with a black POLYWOOD Braxton 3 Piece Porch Rocking Chair Set.

Photo credit: Eva Shockey

2. Ornamental Pumpkins & Gourds

An autumnal icon, pumpkins are always an easy, low-cost way to design a fall front porch look. While you can’t go wrong with classic orange, try incorporating heirloom and hybrid varieties for visual intrigue. Pumpkins like Galeux d’Eysines, Blue Lakota, Baby Boo, and Jack-be-Little add more color and texture with their diverse shapes, shades, and sizes that are perfect for mixing and matching.

A black POLYWOOD Vineyard 60 Inch Bench and South Beach 18 Inch Side Table on a brick porch with fall decor.

3. Fall Florals & Foliage

When deciding which fall foliage to decorate with, (chrysanthe)mum’s the word. These beauties boast a variety of colors and bloom shapes to add dimension to your front porch. Line your steps with assorted planters or place them in window boxes. You can also layer in other annual fall plants, including flowering kale, purple fountain grass, crotons, dianthus, and black-eyed Susans.

A dark brown Vineyard 3 Piece Rocking Set and fall decor arranged on the porch of a green house.
Six must have plants for fall, arranged in a grid with images and names: Flowering Kale, Purple Fountain Grass, Croton, Dianthus, Black Eyed Susan, and Chrysanthemum.

4. Wreaths That Wow

Making your front door the main focal point is an easy way to decorate your porch for fall. Hang a wreath and flank your door with coordinating bouquets in statement vases. For extra flair, frame the door with a matching garland.

Find premade options online or at your local home goods store. Looking for a fun outdoor activity to do with the kids? A DIY wreath project definitely fits the bill.

Three fall outdoor wreaths. One hangs on a brick wall, and the other two hang on front doors.

5. Lanterns

Lanterns make a striking accent for any fall-themed front porch. Fill yours with mini gourds, leaves, acorns, and other seasonal materials, or go for an ethereal ambiance with pillar candles or fairy lights. We love pairing lanterns in varying heights and styles for a display that feels effortlessly organized.

Two views: Fall decor on a front entryway, and a close up of a black lantern filled with gourds.

6. Hay Bales

To bring a rustic touch to your porch, hay bales are the way to go. Place a hay bale near your door and display the jack-o’-lanterns you carved with your kiddos. Or use hay bales as extra seating or footrests where you can take a break after apple picking or raking leaves. Bonus: When it’s time for a photo op, they make a festive prop for your Instagram grid.

A fall display with a hay bale, mums, gourds, cornstalks, and a sign with the text, Happy Halloween.

7. Corn & Cornstalks

Mix dried corn decor with your pumpkins and fall foliage for a bountiful harvest aesthetic. Ornamental varieties come in various hues, from indigo blues and dark reds to multicolor options, to give your porch that extra pop.

Cornstalks are versatile fall decorations that provide height and texture to any vignette. A few strategically situated by the front door greet guests with a warm, festive welcome.

Festive autumn decor flanks the entrance of a brick house. A fall wreath hangs on the front door.

8. Cozy Textiles

Blankets, pillows, and cushions are perfect for bringing warmth and texture—the key elements of fall style—outdoors. They also allow you to infuse fresh seasonal hues and patterns. Soften up seating with cushions and pillows and set out a basket of thick blankets family can grab from when the temperature drops.

A brown POLYWOOD Lakeside 48 Inch Swing hangs on a front porch surrounded by fall decorations.

9. Fall-Hued Furniture

For the ultimate fall front porch look, allow nature to determine your furniture palette. Highlighting the season’s unofficial color, orange Adirondack chairs styled with potted mums (or any of the aforementioned autumnal accents) are the perfect place to relax with a mug of hot cider or greet trick-or-treaters.

An orange POLYWOOD South Beach Adirondack 3 Piece Set sits on the porch of a grey and blue house.

10. Antiques & Vintage Pieces

Vintage and antique furnishings evoke nostalgia, and, like autumn, beautifully capture the passage of time. Try coupling a revived rocking chair with a contemporary design like designer Meg Caswell did at her cozy Maine cabin. This creates an eclectic, lived-in look that welcomes family and friends to your porch. Just remember to choose furniture and decor that can withstand the outdoor elements.

A green POLYWOOD Jefferson Rocking Chair sits next to an antique wooden rocking chair on a porch.