The natural world pulls out all the stops this time of year. From fiery leaf colors to the harvests of apples, pumpkins and gourds, nature provides plenty of design inspiration. Take a look at these creative outdoor decorating ideas ranging from a few well-placed pumpkins and simple containers to more intricate arrangements.
Mums are the most common flower for getting that hit of seasonal color, but there are plenty of other fall-blooming flowers and plants with interesting seeds that look just as festive.
A few to try this year: black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and other Rudbeckia species; spooky-looking trailing amaranth in bright green or dark red; or violas in rich fall colors like orange, bronze and purple. Position all containers where they’ll receive at least a half-day of sun.
A few to try this year: black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) and other Rudbeckia species; spooky-looking trailing amaranth in bright green or dark red; or violas in rich fall colors like orange, bronze and purple. Position all containers where they’ll receive at least a half-day of sun.
2. Place Pumpkins Somewhere Unexpected
How fun are these pumpkins on fence posts marching along the edge of a vineyard? Look for new ways to use our favorite natural decoration of the season for an unexpected twist. Use repetition — like the pumpkins shown here — to make a bigger visual hit. For example, if you have large windowsills, you could place a small pumpkin in each window for a display that can be enjoyed from both outdoors and inside.
How fun are these pumpkins on fence posts marching along the edge of a vineyard? Look for new ways to use our favorite natural decoration of the season for an unexpected twist. Use repetition — like the pumpkins shown here — to make a bigger visual hit. For example, if you have large windowsills, you could place a small pumpkin in each window for a display that can be enjoyed from both outdoors and inside.
3. Flank the Driveway
Particularly nice if you have a long driveway or walk leading up to your house, this treatment of placing fall displays near the street immediately sets a festive theme. Arrange a mix of pumpkins, hay bales, corn husks and fall flowers (or just use one of these) around existing garden features such as a lightpost or on either side of a gate marking the entrance.
Particularly nice if you have a long driveway or walk leading up to your house, this treatment of placing fall displays near the street immediately sets a festive theme. Arrange a mix of pumpkins, hay bales, corn husks and fall flowers (or just use one of these) around existing garden features such as a lightpost or on either side of a gate marking the entrance.
4. Go Gourd Crazy
Because when else is it considered acceptable to pile up squash and call it decoration? Look for spaces like steps, window boxes or deep windowsills that give you room to be creative with the arrangement. Try mixing gourds with potted ferns, sprays of fall leaves, ornamental corn or pots of trailing ivy.
Because when else is it considered acceptable to pile up squash and call it decoration? Look for spaces like steps, window boxes or deep windowsills that give you room to be creative with the arrangement. Try mixing gourds with potted ferns, sprays of fall leaves, ornamental corn or pots of trailing ivy.
6. Create a Fall Vignette
Steal a few design ideas from the arrangements at your local nursery or pumpkin patch. First, play with levels. Use hay bales, a few overturned pots or a wooden bench to boost up pumpkins or pots of flowers. Second, use a variety of colors and textures. Pumpkins, knobby gourds and mums in gold, orange and burgundy work in harmony to make a festive fall scene.
Steal a few design ideas from the arrangements at your local nursery or pumpkin patch. First, play with levels. Use hay bales, a few overturned pots or a wooden bench to boost up pumpkins or pots of flowers. Second, use a variety of colors and textures. Pumpkins, knobby gourds and mums in gold, orange and burgundy work in harmony to make a festive fall scene.
9. Add a Farm-Themed Accent
You can pull off the rustic country look without going all out to create a fun, fall-themed front yard display. The key is to anchor it around a single rustic piece — like a wooden barrel, garden cart, wheelbarrow or potting station – for structure. Position it on your front lawn or porch, in a front garden bed or anywhere else it can be viewed well from the street or entry walkway. Then, layer fall elements like potted foliage plants and decorative gourds with antique-style elements like old metal milk jugs, weathered baskets and wire egg crates.
You can pull off the rustic country look without going all out to create a fun, fall-themed front yard display. The key is to anchor it around a single rustic piece — like a wooden barrel, garden cart, wheelbarrow or potting station – for structure. Position it on your front lawn or porch, in a front garden bed or anywhere else it can be viewed well from the street or entry walkway. Then, layer fall elements like potted foliage plants and decorative gourds with antique-style elements like old metal milk jugs, weathered baskets and wire egg crates.
Prepare Your Home This Fall