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Whatever type of outdoor space you are decorating this autumn, you’ll probably want to include the standard harvest season decorations like hay bales and pumpkins.
But don’t forget other types of decor you can use to create a warm and cozy seasonal scene.
Pumpkins
Hmm, what to decorate with for autumn? Pumpkins? Well, of course!
Decorating with pumpkins isn’t limited to Halloween. This is the time of year when we gardening fanatics harvest our bumper crops of pumpkins, winter squash, and gourds. With their earthy autumn colors, they don’t just taste good in a pie, they’re also extraordinarily attractive.
If we’ve had a green thumb year, there’s a big pile in many shapes and colors to show off. They make great decorations – arranged elegantly on a front porch, spilling out of an old rustic wagon, or lining your front steps. You can use different shapes and sizes to create an attractive centerpiece on a patio table, or add a pop of fall color outside a shed. Try hollowing one out to hold a dried flower arrangement.
Wreaths
A wreath designed with the colors, textures, and bounty of autumn can grace a front or back door, decorate a potting shed, or brighten up a gate.
‘Turk’s Turban’ You can get seeds for the colorful and intriguing ‘Turk’s Turban’ winter squash variety at True Leaf Market.
While many commercially available wreaths are made of plastic, when your own yard is full of natural plants ripe for the picking, it’s very easy to make your own. Create your own seasonal wreath with vines, dried seed heads, foliage, and berries. Pick colors that suit your autumn mood, and use pine cones or miniature gourds for added texture.
If you’re looking for something that says fall in a unique way that’s ready for hanging, this wonderful wreath by Darby Creek Trading might be just the thing.
Fairies
Don’t forget to decorate your fairy garden for the season. Colorful leaves, dried seed pods, and bittersweet will add a touch of color and autumnal whimsy.
Use miniature pumpkins, gourds, or winter squash in creative ways to accentuate that autumn flavor. If you’ve always wanted to create a fairy garden but haven’t gotten around to it, starting with a carved full-sized pumpkin to create a fairy house might be just the motivation you need to dive into this fun hobby.
Let your imagination guide the creation of your own fall-themed fairy garden.
Straw Bales
Bales of straw are a standard feature in fall outdoor decor. They make a great backdrop for your potted chrysanthemums, pumpkins, and harvest displays. Read more about growing pumpkins here.
Trellises and Arbors
Moving from the miniature view to the big picture, don’t forget about large structures like trellises and arbors that help define spaces in your yard, showing off the seasonal colors of your plantings.
These supports can play important landscaping roles all year long. And at this time of year they will surely create atmosphere while displaying the bright red and orange colors of your Virginia creeper or grapevine, or a string of fairy lights.
You can find arbors made primarily of wood or metal. Wrought iron is a sturdy and timeless choice that can also add to the spookiness factor if Halloween decorating is your thing.
Oakland Living 8.5-ft. Iron Gothic Arbor with Gate This arbor from Home Depot is ready for you to cover with your own choice of showy autumn vine – or eerie spider webs. In front or back yards, and on porches and patios, straw bales add texture and a sense of warmth, bringing the harvest home. Straw bales can also be a destination unto themselves. A straw bale can serve as an impromptu outdoor bench, where you can spend an afternoon relaxing with a warm wool blanket and your favorite gardening book.
Try making a cozy nook out of three straw bales. Stacked on top of each other, they can create a rustic outdoor table for serving coffee and cake.
Outdoor Lanterns
If your outdoor leisure keeps you in the yard after dark, don’t forget to add a little additional lighting for the season. Lanterns will help create a festive atmosphere, or just help guide the way.
You can go with a DIY homemade lantern – just place some battery-powered string lights inside a mason jar. I also like to fill a large vase with acorns and string lights for an autumnal touch. It only takes a little light to make the night feel warmer.
Another option is to go solar.
Solar Lantern This elegant solar lantern from Hayneedle will brighten up your autumn nights as you cuddle up outdoors under the stars – and it needs no electricity.
Creative Ideas for Your Gourd-geous Fall Garden
So there you have it, a few decorating ideas that will make your yard or garden all the more cozy for autumn. A few creative touches may be all you need to complete your charming seasonal landscape.
What decorations are you using in your yard this fall? Do you have an autumn-themed fairy garden? Or are you going full-out rustic with straw bales and squash? Let us know in the comments, and share photos of your own autumn garden decor. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Fall Garden Planting Design How to Plant an Autumn Vegetable Garden Put Some Color into Your Fall Landscaping How to Choose Flowering Annuals for Cold Climates
Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on November 6, 2019. [lastupdated]. Product photos courtesy of True Leaf Market, Darby Creek Trading, Hi-Line Gift Ltd., Oakland Living, and Smart Solar. Uncredited photos: Shutterstock. Additional writing and editing by Clare Groom and Allison Sidhu.
