4 Things I Used To Style Our Porch For Fall (That Aren’t Pumpkins or Mums)

SOURCES: Rocking Chairs | Side Table | Olive Blanket | Plaid Pillow | Terracotta Bowl | Doormat | Terracotta Pot | Sconce

Has the title of this blog post offended anyone yet? I know the pumpkin and mum fans are strong and many and I come in peace. I like pumpkins…carved a few in my day. I love mums…have a bunch in my garden beds out back. But I wanted to prove to myself that there are ways to create the feeling of fall without using the two most popular elements. And truthfully, nature alone does most of the decorating for us this season.

I used *mostly* things I already owned with the exception of a couple pots. But the goal was to make it feel fresh and new without spending a ton. I focussed on 4 things to create the feeling of fall –

A lot of people associate terracotta pots with summer, but it all depends on the age and coloring of terracotta. Sure, a new bright orange pot looks summery, but if it’s old, looks like it’s been through it, and it has a rusty orange/brown coloring to it…that’s the epitome of a fall color palette! Antique terracotta pots would be my first pick, but those can be hard to come by. I found this planter from At Home and I love the artisan feel of it. Perfectly imperfect and brown.

I also bought this $13 terracotta bowl and the same rules apply. Pops of rusty orange showing through the aged finish.

I was chatting with an incredibly talented interior stylist and I told her that I always struggle with knowing what to fill bowls with. Beads, while beautiful, are done everywhere and somewhat expected. Fruit only feels appropriate for the kitchen…and I mean…what else is there? And as she was holding a pile of pine cones in her hand she said, “Well there’s pine cones!”

In my mind I thought, “Oh ya!” As if I had completely forgotten that I used to do that all the time for fall. She gave me a box of pine cones and now I use them everywhere! I tossed 8 or 9 in my terracotta bowl and it’s cute right? Very fall appropriate and transitions to winter too. Not to mention it’s free if you can find some in your area!

Ok, this one’s a gimme, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include plaid. There’s endless plaid variations and color combinations, but I like to keep it simple with a large windowpane pattern. Something not too busy or overwhelmingly colorful. This olive throw blanket for example, has large plaid boxes with red stripes and I’ve had (and loved) it for years. The ultimate fall and winter blanket.

I also threw in an ivory and charcoal windowpane pillow that I made and have had for years. Truthfully, I’m not afraid to use plaid year round so this pillow is not new to the scene. But suddenly it pops simply because of the season.

Keeping with the cabin style of the home, a stack of wood is just as useful as it is beautiful! This is another scenario where the beauty of wood alone is decoration. And again, this is very inexpensive (possibly even free) to incorporate on your porch. Not to mention, *ahem* this is quintessential winter decor too.

All that’s left is to turn the lights on! Simple, but warm and inviting. Just how I like it for fall.