15 Magical DIY Fall Decorations That Won’t Break the Bank
I’ve always loved the feeling of autumn. The crisp air, cozy sweaters, and that special golden light that makes everything look like it’s been dipped in honey. But you know what makes fall even better? Transforming your home into a seasonal haven without emptying your wallet.
Fall decorating doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. I’ve spent years experimenting with DIY decor (and yes, making plenty of mistakes along the way), and I’m excited to share my favorite projects that anyone can tackle in an afternoon.
Pumpkin Magic: Beyond Basic Jack-o’-Lanterns
Mini Pumpkin Candleholders
These little beauties are my go-to centerpiece every year. Here’s how I make them:
- Choose small, firm mini pumpkins
- Carefully cut off the top and scoop out the insides
- Size the opening to fit a tealight or votive candle
- Arrange some small leaves or twigs around the base to hide any rough edges
The warm glow these create during dinner parties is absolutely worth the sticky fingers from pumpkin guts!
Succulent Pumpkin Planters
My neighbor thought I spent a fortune on these when she saw them on my porch last year.
- Cut the top off a mini pumpkin
- Scoop out the seeds and pulp
- Add a bit of soil
- Plant small succulents, eucalyptus sprigs, or tiny seasonal flowers
They last for weeks if you don’t overwater them, and they make perfect hostess gifts too.
Bring Nature Indoors
Foraged Acorn Wreath
This project costs practically nothing if you live near oak trees.
- Collect acorns during your fall walks (I make my kids help with this!)
- Get a foam wreath form from the dollar store
- Hot glue acorns all around the form, overlapping slightly
- Add a simple ribbon for hanging
Mine hangs on our front door from September through November, and it gets compliments every single time.
Dough Bowl Centerpiece
This is the easiest thing ever but looks like something from a fancy home magazine.
- Find an old wooden dough bowl or tray (thrift stores are great for this)
- Layer in some faux pumpkins, pinecones, and fall leaves
- Add battery-operated fairy lights for evening ambiance
I change mine up slightly each year, but the basic formula stays the same. It takes about 10 minutes to assemble.
Book Lovers’ Fall Decor
Book Page Pumpkins
As someone who can’t bear to throw books away (even damaged ones), this project is close to my heart.
- Take pages from old, falling-apart books
- Cut strips of equal width
- Fold in half lengthwise
- Staple ends together to form a circle
- Fan out the pages to create a pumpkin shape
- Add a small twig as a stem and some felt leaves
They look amazingly vintage and cost practically nothing to make.
Dollar Store Transformations
Pottery Barn Dupe Flameless Pumpkin Candles
My sister couldn’t believe these weren’t from an expensive store.
- Buy styrofoam pumpkins from the dollar store
- Cut a small hole in the top
- Insert a battery-operated tealight
- Paint the “flame” area to match the pumpkin color
- Turn them on at dusk for a magical glow
Elevated Pumpkin Pedestals
- Grab candlesticks and small pumpkins from the dollar store
- Glue them together
- Spray paint the whole thing in a color that matches your decor
- Add a touch of metallic rub on the edges for dimension
I have these displayed on my entryway table, and they seriously look like something from a boutique.
Quick Weekend Projects
Fall Leaf Candle Holders
- Clean out an old jar
- Apply Mod Podge to the outside
- Press faux fall leaves around the jar, overlapping slightly
- Add a layer of Mod Podge over the leaves
- Tie a bit of twine around the neck
- Place a candle inside
The light shining through the leaves creates the most beautiful amber glow in the evening.
Colorblock Cork Leaf Trivets
These are both pretty AND practical:
- Draw leaf shapes on cork sheets
- Cut them out
- Paint sections in fall colors like mustard, burnt orange, and deep red
- Seal with clear acrylic spray
They protect my table from hot dishes and look seasonal without being too obvious.
Doodle Acorns
These little cuties are perfect for filling bowls or vases:
- Paint acorns in fall colors and let dry
- Use a fine-tip marker to add patterns (dots, stripes, swirls)
- Hot glue the caps back on
- Display in a clear glass container
My kids love helping with these, and no two ever turn out the same.
Five-Minute Fall Touches
Sometimes you just need a quick seasonal update. Try these super-simple ideas:
- Fill a hurricane vase with acorns, add a pillar candle in the center
- Wrap orange, yellow, or red ribbon around plain white pillar candles
- Scatter mini pumpkins along your mantel, adding height variation with books
- Switch out bright summer throw pillows
