31 DIY Outdoor Fall Decorations for Your Home and Yard

Oct 16, 2024

Give a warm welcome to the new season.

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It's here! It's finally here! Fall is upon us. With crisp air, colorful fall foliage, and pumpkin-spiced everything, it's hard not to get excited. And what better way to welcome the new season than with a few outdoor fall decorations? They'll make your home so warm and inviting.

The best part about these fall décor ideas is that they can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish. Start with a pretty fall wreath to adorn your door and a festive doormat, then work your way outwards. Perhaps there are some painted pumpkins in your future or a few plaid pillows and a cozy throw blanket as part of your porch décor. (After all, they're not only pretty, but they're super useful when you want to snuggle up in chilly weather.)

The kids can get creative with pumpkin crafts all of which are fun for the days before, during, and after Halloween or transform your yard with colorful fall flowers or potted mums that will last through the season. No matter what you decide, you'll surely find the best way to greet cozy season right at your door. So browse through this seasonal inspiration and give a warm welcome to September.

Add more seasonal touches to your outdoor space:

The best thing about these floral painted pumpkins is that they don't need to be watered! 😂 Paint a few blooms freehand, then prop them next to your outdoor flowers for the ultimate floral theme.

SHOP CRAFT PAINTS

It doesn't have to be Halloween to paint a pumpkin. Try an intricate design in an autumnal motif―stencils make it easy! Then proudly display them outside your home all season long.

Who needs store-bought decorations when you've got this striking way to decorate your entryway? It's easy to tackle!

Make the pumpkins: Use painter's tape to outline stripes around a pumpkin. For vertical stripes, tape a flower stencil inside one of the stripes, then use a foam pouncer to lightly dab paint onto it. Let dry, then remove the stencil and tape it to the next section of the stripe. Continue until you fill in the entire stripe, then repeat for the other stripes, alternating colors. To make a horizontal stripe, cut out a large flower stencil and tape it inside the stripe. Using the pouncer, lightly dab paint onto the pumpkin to fill in the stencil. Let dry, then remove the stencil and use it several more times within the stripe. Repeat with two smaller stencils.

These monogram pumpkins can spell out your family member's first initials, your house number, or—if you want to really get creative—a three-letter word like "boo!"

Make the pumpkins: Use a pencil to draw a thick block letter on a pumpkin, then outline with painter's tape. Next, cut out and tape a large flower stencil within the block letter and use a foam pouncer to lightly dab craft paint onto it. Finally, let the paint dry before removing the stencil and repeating in different spots within the letter. Then, repeat with smaller stencils until you've completely filled up the letter with a floral design.

Here's another option that may look difficult to master, but is actually incredibly simple. Just use a stencil and foam pouncer to blend a range of complementary paint colors together as you move outward from the center of each "flower."

Make the pumpkins: Tape a floral stencil to an orange pumpkin. Using a foam pouncer, lightly dab a light-colored craft paint onto the pumpkin to fill in the center petals. While the paint is still wet, dab a darker paint just outside the center petals, blending the paints as you go. Repeat step 3 with an even darker color on the petals’ outer edges. Let dry, then fill in the stencil’s leaves (if applicable) with another color paint.

SHOP FOAM POUNCERS

Alex Drummond uses cozy textiles and fall elements like pumpkins, mums, and a goldenrod wreath to add a farmhouse feel to her front porch. Bonus points if you have a cute doggo to greet your guests!

Let everyone know that autumn has arrived by adorning your doorway with a fiery maple leaf garland. You can DIY your own or pick up a few strands at your local craft store.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.

Here, natural elements such as pumpkins, potted mums, a wreath made of fall foliage, and large corn stalks come together to make a very seasonal scene.

Get the tutorial at Inspired By Charm.

The best part of this banner? There are so many different ways to use it! Hang it on your door, string it up on your porch railing, or drape it from a window. Either way, the harvest colors and one-of-a-kind striped bias tape are sure to spruce up your stoop.

Get the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous.

Adding a fall doormat to your front porch is one of the easiest ways to add some autumnal flare to your home! You can choose one with fun patterns and colors or opt for one with a cute and welcoming saying.

See more at Inspired by Charm.

SHOP FALL DOORMATS

Planters don't just go away after spring and summer. Lovers of autumn have plenty of opportunity to have these outdoor staples thrive in the crisp season. You can start with a dark urn planter and fill them with ornamental grasses that can handle the cool weather.

See more at Rooms for Rent.

If you're aiming for a more calm, simple look: Neutral colors are the way to go! Pick a color palette of three or four similar colors, and paint your pumpkins (or any decorations) with them!

See more at The Merrythought.

What screams fall more than a seasonal wreath? This one featuring a set of mini gourds is a cute DIY project to really set the mood! Some might say, it's gourd-eous!

See more at Garden Therapy.

Bows are back and bigger than ever! So, incorporate them into your fall décor by tying pretty ribbons around your pumpkins. Choose neutral colors or create statement pieces with patterns.

Get the tutorial at Fynes Designs.

SHOP RIBBON

A doormat is a great way to greet guests no matter the season! Tailor yours towards the harvest by choosing an autumnal color scheme.

Get the tutorial at Lia Griffith.

Those feeling a bit crafty and creative can make a cute set of fall-themed signs for their front yard! All you'll need is some wood, paint, and some cutting tools! (Oh, and a camera to take pics for when your project is completed!)

See more at Home Made by Carmona.

Fall is an opulent harvest season, so line your porch with the biggest hits of autumn: corn stalks, hay bales, pumpkins, and wreaths. By stacking the pumpkins and bales you create a multileveled harvest scape.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Charm.

The end of summer doesn't mean the end of brightly colored blooms! This blogger uses vintage "olive buckets," and places wreaths at the rim. They then set planters of autumnal mums inside.

See more at On Sutton Place.

Black cats are the quintessential symbol of autumn and Halloween. The best part of a wood cutout kitty is that it's supposed to look distressed, so the paint job doesn't need to be perfect! A light coat of black paint gives the silhouette a rustic, vintage feel.

Get the tutorial at Jen Woodhouse.

Old-timey candle lanterns give porches a rustic fall vibe. Plus, they're a piece of decor that looks cute during the day and brings light to the darkest areas of your patio at night.

See more at Julia Berolzheimer.

SHOP WOODEN LANTERNS

Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.

AnnMarie Mattila is the Commerce Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering products ranging from home, fashion, beauty, and more.

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