As autumn comes crashing in on summer's carefree celebration like an unwanted party guest, there is still a bright spot. Fall is the season for decorating, when Mother Nature bursts onto the scene with awe-inspiring color schemes and natural elements that are simply irresistible to the creative decorator.
Start in the produce department
It's so easy to add autumn inspiration to your front door, especially when you notice the fall harvest arrive at your local grocery store or farmer's market. Gather up a bounty of colorful gourds, squash, Indian corn and several pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes. These items are fairly inexpensive and will last for weeks when left intact. If your budget is tight, start with a few pieces and keep adding more as your budget allows. Make colorful arrangements with these fall vegetables around your front door, on your porch steps and on your porch. Add a planter or two filled with fall blooming flowers in colors of yellow, gold and orange; Dahlia and Chrysanthemum are perfect picks. A rustic old broom and an acorn-filled basket add a nice touch.
Create a fall wreath for your front door
Visit your local craft store, dollar store, thrift store or anywhere else you can go to gather inexpensive supplies for a fall wreath. Here are 10 ideas for materials:
- Dried corn husks
- Dried weeds
- Dried seed pods
- Acorns
- Burlap
- Fall craft leaves
- Pinecones
- Dried leaves
- Spanish moss
- Grapevine and twigs
There are so many ways to combine materials like these to create a wreath. Invest in a hot glue gun; it will make your wreath project go faster and easier. Practice your wreath ideas by laying the materials out in a circle. Try different patterns andarrangements until you come up with a design you like. Make a base out of cardboard, foam or buy a plain grapevine wreath and embellish it with the materials you've gathered. If you live near a wooded area, you may be able to gather everything you need straight from the source. Get inspired by viewing this gallery of fall wreaths.
Make your own scarecrow
This is a great project to do with your kids, kind of like building a snowman. If you store it carefully, your homemade scarecrow will last for years, unlike poor Frosty. Your scarecrow can be displayed throughout the entire season, including Halloween and Thanksgiving.
The first thing you will need is some old clothes. A raggedy pair of jeans or overalls will do nicely, matched with a long sleeved flannel or plaid shirt. Don't forget some type of hat. You can also use gloves and shoes or just leave straw sticking out of the arm and leg holes.
Fill the clothes with leaves, straw, plastic bags, pillow stuffing or anything else you may have. Just make sure to use a little straw around the openings of the clothing to make it look authentic. Make the head with an old pillow case, cloth bag or burlap sack. Draw the face with Sharpie pens or sew pieces of fabric (and/or buttons) for the eyes, nose and mouth. Staple or pin the hat onto the head. Place the head on top of the stuffed shirt and push a wood dowel through the body stuffing. Fasten the head to the shirt collar. Sit your scarecrow in an old chair or rocker or tie him to a post. Don't forget to give him a name!
Let nature be your guide as you say goodbye to summer and welcome your guests with a decorative autumn doorstep. Combine all three of these ideas for an extra-festive fall display!
