Simple Fall room decorating ideas

Autumn is officially just over a week away, and you know what that means: It's time to transition to cozy spaces and fabulous fall home decoration. My last blog post was all about Fall entryway decor and today I'm sharing my favorite fall room decorating ideas that are easy on the eye and the pocket. So, if you're looking for cozy, wallet-friendly autumn home decor ideas, you've come to the right place!

Before we get into it, let me tell you that today's post is part of the Blogger Fall Home Tour organized by the lovely Marty of the blog 'A Stroll Thru Life'. If you're coming over from Alicia's at 'Thrifty and Chic' welcome to Chalking Up Success! Alicia's home is one of my favorites on this tour because of her gorgeous vintage pieces and beautiful styling.

If you're new to my blog and want to know more about me and my decorating style, you can check out my 'About' page here. Otherwise, let me show you some of my simple Fall room decorating ideas for a cozy Autumn home!

Table of contents

• How I transition from Summer to Fall decor
• Finding inspiration for Fall decorating
• Fall room decorating ideas
• Mix and match your Fall room decor
• Fall Living Room Ideas
• How I Decorated My Coffee Table for Fall
• Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas with books
• Books for Home Decor lovers
• Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas in the Kitchen
• Decorating a Kitchen Dining Nook for Fall
• Decorating with Dried Hydrangea Flowers
• Final Thoughts on Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas
• More Fall room decorating ideas
• More Fall Home Decoration

This post contains affiliate links. As an affiliate, I may earn a small commission if you purchase through one of my links. There is no extra cost for you.

How I transition from Summer to Fall decor

The first thing I do when transitioning my home decor from Summer to Fall is remove all of the summer decor and give my rooms a good clean. All the surfaces get wiped down; mirrors and glass surfaces get polished; and parquet and floor tiles get vacuumed, mopped, and buffed. It always feels so good to start my Fall decorating with a clean space empty of all kinds of seasonal decor.

Next, I gather all of my Fall decorating pieces and place them on the floor in a corner of the living room. (This used to drive my husband crazy, but he's used to how I work now and knows it's only temporary, haha!).

I'm a visual person, and it helps with the creative process to see all the Fall decor I have to work with in one place.

Finding inspiration for Fall decorating

Sometimes, I find an inspirational Pinterest Pin or a photo on Instagram or another home decor blog, and I save those items for later. I don't recreate exact copies but tend to mix and match ideas to create something unique.

If I'm being honest, though, most of my decorating ideas come from seeing all of my Fall room decor on the floor in my living room, haha! It may sound crazy, but there is something about seeing all those lovely Fall decorating items gathered in one place that gets my creative juices flowing! If you've never decorated this way, I encourage you to give it a try. I'll bet you'll be surprised with what you come up with!

Fall room decorating ideas

If you're looking for Fall decorations for your home, here are some items I keep in my stash (or grab from the garden) that I can mix and match from year to year. You can't go wrong with any of these items:

• Pumpkins and Gourds: I don't have to tell you that natural or artificial pumpkins and gourds are quintessential fall decor items. You can paint pumpkins, stack them, or use them in various arrangements. That's not to say that you have to include them in your Fall decor every year.

• Autumn Leaves: Natural or artificial fall leaves are perfect for adding a touch of nature to your decor. Use leaves in wreaths, garlands, or scattered on tables. In one of the photos below, you can see how I used fallen leaves from one of our trees to create a simple wreath for the kitchen.
• Candles: Fall-scented candles like pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, or woodsy scents create a cozy atmosphere in your home.
• Wreaths: Fall wreaths featuring autumn leaves, berries, pinecones, or even mini pumpkins are a welcoming addition to your front door or interior spaces.
• Blankets and Throws: Cozy, textured blankets in warm fall colors are ideal for draping over sofas or chairs. Who doesn't love to snuggle up in a cozy throw on a chilly Autumn evening?
• Plaid, Tartan, and Harlequins: Incorporating plaid, tartan, or harlequin patterns through pillows, tablecloths, or blankets can give your home a classic fall look.
• Chrysanthemums (Mums): These colorful fall flowers are perfect for indoor and outdoor decor. I often use small pots of Mums to create a simple Fall table centerpiece.
• Harvest Wreaths: Wreaths made of dried grass, corn, wheat, or other grains are rustic and harvest-inspired.
• Burlap and rustic cotton: Burlap or rustic table runners, placemats, or bows add a touch of rustic charm to your decor.
• Acorns and Pinecones: Use these small natural elements in vases, bowls, or as table scatters for a subtle fall accent.
• Fall Pillows: Decorative pillows with fall-themed patterns or phrases can easily transform your seating areas.
• Fall-Themed Artwork: Hang paintings or prints featuring autumn landscapes, trees, or seasonal quotes on your walls.
• Wicker and Rattan: These materials bring a natural, earthy feel to your decor and work well in baskets, lanterns, furniture, or wall hangings.
• Decorative jugs: Antique or decorative jugs can be used as vases or simply as decorative pieces, adding a touch of nostalgia. Further down this post, you can see how I used an antique jug in my kitchen décor this Fall.
• Wooden Crates and boxes: These can be used as decorative storage or as a base for creating rustic displays.
• Farmhouse Signs: Signs with autumn home décor quotes or farmhouse-style sayings are always a great addition to your décor (if you're a Farmhouse-style Gal, that is!).

Mix and match your Fall room decor

I don't use all of my Fall room decor each season, and I try not to buy a lot of new stuff. I bring out the same items every year but mix and match everything in a new way to create a fall decor theme that feels fresh and new for the season.

My main aim is to decorate my home in a way that suits my style and makes it feel warm and inviting. On the other hand, my husband's aim is to get me to create seasonal décor that doesn't get in the way of life, haha! In other words, no tall items on the coffee table in the living room blocking his view of the TV, but I'm OK with that!

Fall Living Room Ideas

The living room is one of my absolute favorite rooms to decorate for Autumn. During Fall, the living room is where we spend most of our evenings, snuggling up on the sofa with a good book or watching a movie on TV.

How I Decorated My Coffee Table for Fall

Rustic Fall table runner

To infuse a cozy Fall vibe into my living room, I start by decorating my coffee table. I'm using a rustic cotton table runner with frayed edges as a base this Fall.

Fall table vignette

Next, I created a pretty vignette on a round wooden tray that includes:

• Two large glass candle votives: The votives are dark brown on the outside and gold on the inside, and they have a gorgeous pattern on the glass that I think resembles trees in a forest at night. I've added some of my homemade Soy candles to the candle holders, which I've scented with apple and cinnamon-scented oil. They smell absolutely divine!

• Aged flower pot: I made this flower pot look old using my technique for aging vessels. I love how the texture of the flowerpot adds to the rustic Fall vibe. The flowerpot is brimming with bunches of tiny white Gypsophilia flowers. Gypsophilia flowers are easy to grow in the garden or pots, and you can dry them to use in all sorts of decor throughout the seasons.
• Pinecones: If you're looking for cheap Fall decor, you can't go wrong with pinecones. If you live in the countryside, you can probably pick up pinecones for free, but if not, you can also buy large pinecones here. All it takes is one Pinecone to add a bit of natural Fall decor to this coffee table vignette.
• You can see that I also placed a large pinecone on top of some of my coffee table books.

Mini fairy lights for Fall

No autumn home decor is complete without a bit of sparkle. In this case, the sparkle comes in the form of mini LED lights that I've trailed around the inside of the round wooden tray. Mini LED lights are available in a string of ten or twenty lights, which is perfect for adding a touch of magic to your Fall and Christmas vignettes.

Fall candle wreath

You may have seen this candle wreath before because I've used it for centerpieces and as Fall wall decor in the past. This Fall, I'm using it as a candle wreath again, but this time, I've added a gorgeous vintage-style candle holder to the middle of the wreath. The whole ensemble rests on a large ceramic plate and a round seagrass placemat so that the hot candle can't damage my beautiful vintage coffee table. Even though the coffee table was such a bargain, it took a lot of elbow grease to transform it into its current state, and I'd prefer not to have to start sanding and waxing it all over again!

You can see how I made the dried flower wreath here and my coffee table before and after is here.

Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas with books

Coffee table books

Are you ready for the simplest of all Fall room decor ideas? A stack of coffee table books is an easy way to accessorize your coffee table for Fall. Whether the books showcase stunning home decor ideas, organizing tips, or design wisdom, they look visually appealing and offer decorating inspiration for your guests. So stack 'em up and let your coffee table tell a story of your love for all things beautifully designed.

Books for Home Decor lovers

Here are some great coffee table book suggestions for home décor lovers:

• The Kinfolk Home: 'Interiors for Slow Living' by Nathan Williams: This book showcases beautifully designed homes that embody a cozy and minimalist aesthetic, perfect for Fall.
• Elements of Style: 'Designing a Home & a Life', by Erin Gates: Erin Gates, an interior designer blogger, offers design tips and inspiration for creating stylish and comfortable living spaces.
• 'The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals' by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin: Fall is a great time for decluttering and organizing. This book offers practical advice for getting your home in order while maintaining stylish decor.
• 'The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful' by Myquillyn Smith: This book encourages embracing imperfection in your home decor and focuses on creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• 'Styled: Secrets for Arranging Rooms, from Tabletops to Bookshelves' by Emily Henderson: Emily Henderson, a well-known interior stylist, shares her insights on arranging and styling various spaces in your home, making it a fantastic resource for fall decorating.
• 'Home for the Soul: Sustainable and Thoughtful Decorating and Design' by Sara Bird and Dan Duchars of the Contented Nest. This is one of my absolute favorite coffee table books. If you love simple, organic home decor, this book is a must-have!
• '10-Minute Decorating Ideas: Simple, Stylish, and Budget-Friendly Projects to Refresh Your Home' Hot off the press, written by my lovely Mentor and former blogging coach, the wonderful KariAnne Wood! KariAnne is such a great teacher. She makes everything easy to understand and implement – all her books are gold!
• 'The Bricks And Blooms Guide to A Beautiful & Easy-Care Flower Garden' by Stacy Ling – This is one to preorder, so it's not really for fall, but I have to add it to this list because I can't wait to get my hands on it! Stacy is a Master Gardener and part of my blogging community. She knows her stuff when it comes to planting and caring for flowers. Check out her Instagram or TikTok channel to see what I mean!

Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas in the Kitchen

Decorating with Fresh Fall Flowers and Fallen Leaves

Moving on to the kitchen, where the magic happens, I love incorporating fresh fall elements. This season, it's all about bringing the outdoors in.

I've collected some fallen leaves from my backyard and threaded them onto a piece of wire to make a small wreath for one of my tealight holders. It's simple yet adds an instant autumnal touch and the best bit? It's free!

Fall flowers in the kitchen

My favorite part of the kitchen decor is the fresh fall flowers. If you ever need to brighten a dark corner, you can't go wrong with a beautiful bouquet of Fall flowers. I made my small bouquet with flowers picked straight out of the garden. The star of the flower bouquet is the Japanese Anemone, which is easy to grow but can get out of control if not kept in check. I regularly remove some of mine to make room for other gorgeous Fall blooms, such as Asters and Coneflowers.

Some Autumn flowers like this Japanese Anemone don't last very long in a vase, but there are so many new blooms each day that it's easy to replace them when they fade. I've displayed my Fall flower bouquet in one of my vintage jugs.

By the way, if you are wondering what those orange things are in the flip-top jar, they are strips of organic dried mango! If you haven't tried them, you definitely should, but be warned, they won't stay around for long. Mmm, delish!

Decorating a Kitchen Dining Nook for Fall

Fall windowsill decor

Adjacent to the kitchen is our cozy dining nook. It's the perfect spot for those early-morning breakfasts and late-night chats. I've continued the fall theme in the dining nook by decorating the windowsill with a textured vase filled with dried Gladioli flowers. Their tall, slender stems and warm hues add an elegant touch to the space.

The centerpiece of the windowsill décor is a lovely glass lantern on a wooden base. You might remember this from my coastal summer home tour, where I used it as part of my coffee table décor.

To create a Fall aesthetic, I've used some dried ferns and flowers in the bottom of the lantern. I will replace the stump candle when it gets too low to avoid the candle flame catching the dried foliage alight. If you are uncomfortable using real candles in these displays, battery-operated pillar candles are a great alternative.

You know how much I love the flicker of candlelight, and in my opinion, it adds to the magic of the season, so it's real candles for me. I've added even more candles in golden candlesticks and textured glass tea-light holders; sparkle, sparkle, sparkle!

Decorating with Dried Hydrangea Flowers

Annabelle Hydrangea flowers are my secret weapon for achieving that timeless, autumnal look. Their neutral colors are incredibly versatile, and dried flowers are great to use in all sorts of fall home decor projects. Whether it's your coffee table, dining table, tiered tray (see photo below), or even as part of a charming Fall wreath, these dried beauties are a must-have for autumn home decor.

Simple Table Centerpiece with Hydrangea Flowers

I've taken a cue from my tiered tray decor for the kitchen table centerpiece. Annabelle Hydrangea flowers are the stars here as well. Their soft, light green texture complements the rustic charm of the wooden brick mold.

DIY rustic vase

Do you remember the DIY rustic vase I created using chalk paint? Well, this Fall, it's the star of the show in the dining room. Well, that and my Annabelle Hydrangea flowers. I've tucked some dried garden ferns between the Annabelle blooms to fill out the display a little.

I haven't quite finished decorating the dining room yet, so I'll show you the rest of that room another time.

★Tip★ Learn how to update any vase with my easy chalk paint technique. This vase upcycling method works on ceramics, glass, terracotta, and just about any other surface!

Final Thoughts on Simple Fall Room Decorating Ideas

So there you have it, lovelies – my simple fall room decorating ideas that won't break the bank. From dried hydrangeas to fallen leaves and pheasant feathers, bringing the beauty of Autumn into your home is easy, affordable, and oh-so-cozy. What are your favorite autumn home decor ideas? Let me know in the comments below!

More Fall room decorating ideas

As I explained above, this post is part of the Blogger Fall Home Tour, where lots of talented bloggers have come together to share their best autumnal ideas for creating warm and inviting spaces. I encourage you to visit all my friends' posts as well. Up next on today's tour is Pasha of 'Pasha is Home'. If you love neutrals and lots of woods and whites then you are in for a lovely treat because Pashas's home is full of them!

You can continue a tour of seasonal creativity by clicking on any of the links below each day. Each blogger brings their unique style and ideas to the table, so you're sure to find something that resonates with your taste and gets you in the fall spirit.

Happy Fall decorating!

Monday Sept. 11

A Stroll Thru Life - Peacock Ridge Farm - Eleanor Rose Home - Worthing Court - Southern Home and Hospitality.

Tuesday Sept. 12

Decor To Adore - DIY Beautify - Amy Sadler Designs - Calypso in the Country - The House on Silverado

Wednesday Sept. 13

StoneGable - My Wee Abode - Thrifty & Chic - Chalking Up Success - Pasha is Home - Thistle Key Lane

Thursday Sept. 14

Our Southern Home - Whispering Pines Homestead - Follow The Yellow Brick Home - County Road 407 - She Gave It A Go - The Tattered Pew

Friday Sept. 15

White Arrows Home - White Lilac Farmhouse - Midwest Life and Style

More Fall Home Decoration

Don't forget to subscribe to my weekly newsletter through the form at the end of this post. You'll receive more creative ideas and DIY projects directly in your inbox by signing up. You will gain access to our free e-books and printables library upon signing up.

Follow me on Social media here: Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram