Inexpensive Fall Decorating

Autumn provides a bounty of decorating ideas. No need to decorate
for fall with cheap, plastic, fake items when the real thing is
inexpensive, more tasteful, and easily creates a beautiful fall
ambiance in your home. Here are 13 ideas that you can easily do.

1. Use a taller pumpkin as a vase for fresh flowers. Clean out
   the guts and seeds and use the pumpkin to arrange your flowers.
   Taller ones work well, but so will squatty pumpkins if you cut
   your flower stems short. Call your florist for great fall flower and hampers
   gift suggestions. You can find a lot of great theme ideas and products to
   decorate with at your local flower shop.

1.  Make topiary out of a foam form (conical shapes always work
   well) and hot glue a variety of large seeds – acorns, walnuts,
   pinecones – to the form. Completely cover the foam. Easy and
   makes a wonderful piece for any table or countertop.

1. Pick brightly colored fallen leaves. Rub a good moisturizer
   onto the front and back of the leaves and let dry. This helps the
   leaves keep their color and avoid curling. Once dry, scatter the
   leaves on a table, around a centerpiece, or on a fireplace
   mantle.

1. Fill a tall vase or extra-large brandy snifter with a variety
   of colorful miniature pumpkins and gourds.

1. Make a centerpiece using pie pumpkins, gourds, and leaves.
   Vary the sizes and colors of these squashes and fill in the gaps
   with leaves, mini pumpkins, and gourds.

1.  Arrange large pumpkins in a group (odd numbers work best) or
   on stairs. Carve or paint designs or messages on the pumpkins.
   For example, I saw white pumpkins used on stair treads, each with
   a letter spelling "Welcome".

1. Carve a small hole, one inch deep in miniature pumpkins for
   use as taper candle holders.

1. If you have a tiered cake or serving plate, arrange pumpkins,
   gourds, or squash on each tier. Use a pie pumpkin or turban
   squash (looks like two placed one on top of the other) on the top
   level. Use smaller ones, even miniatures, as well as leaves and
   nuts on the other tiers.

1. Cut a branch for a tree. Place lengthwise on a table. Nest
   miniature gourds, pumpkins, leaves, nuts, and votive candles
   among the smaller branches. (Whenever you bring branches in from
   outdoors, spray insect repellent on the branch outside before you
   cut it. Let it stay outside for a day or two. Then bring into the
   garage or on a porch for another day or two until the smell is
   gone.

1. Soften a three-wick candle by blowing a hairdryer on it until
   the wax is soft. Then press small colored leaves into the
   softened wax to add a fall touch.

1. Take tall corn stalks and attach to porch columns or mailbox
   or even trees with a large fall colored ribbon. Further accent
   with pumpkins or mums around the base.

1. Cut long branches with colored leaves still attached (see
   instructions above to prevent bringing bugs into your home).
   Place in a tall vase or an umbrella stand. Be sure the branches
   are proportionate to the vase or stand.



1.  Use potted mums to replace your summer flowers in flower
   beds, on porches, near fireplace hearths, in corner of rooms –
   this classic never goes out of style. To give added height within
   a group, place one potted mum on a miniature straw bale.

Using the natural beauty of fall nature, you can easily and
inexpensively decorate your home for the changing season

Though pumpkins and gourds are the most common for fall decorating due to their versatility, nuts and acorns are another good option. A way to beautiful fall decorating out of these, is to add a touch of spray paint. Silver, black, and metallic work best; they compliment the browns and oranges that Mother Nature provides and make your fall decorating that much better. After spray painting these items, displaying them in a vase or bowl make for beautiful sophisticated fall decorations. 

If you're looking for more fall decorating ideas, taking a walk around your yard may inspire you.   These colorful fall decorating ideas only come around once a year, so work with them while you still can!