Pumpkins, Mums, and Hay Bales—Oh My! How to Make Your Porch the Fall HQ (Without Losing Your Mind

The transition from summer to fall always feels like the biggest shift for me, especially here in Washington. One day you’re in shorts and t-shirts, and the next you’re bundled up in flannels and turtlenecks—it’s like someone flipped a switch overnight, don’t you think?

Fall is prime time to fall back in love with your home. The temperature drops, and suddenly everyone’s gravitating indoors for pumpkin-spice everything and hearty comfort food. Forget heading out for a nice day at the park—now it's all about cozying up at home and hosting the crew for football games and chili. And since your house is the new hangout spot, I figured you might appreciate a few budget-friendly tips to spruce up your porch for fall. Because, let’s be honest, the porch is the first thing your friends and family are going to see, so what better way to welcome them.

1. Get Cozy (Because It’s Cold, Obviously)

If you're like me, there's nothing better than sitting on the porch and enjoying the crisp night air. I've found that adding cozy fall blankets and pillows to the outdoor furniture creates a peaceful retreat, allowing me to savor those moments even longer. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns—plaid, leaves, pumpkins—if it screams fall, toss it on a chair. By doing this you get to extend sitting on the porch and enjoying nature just a little bit longer. 

2. What Would Mum Do?

Mums are the queens of fall, and they know it. These beauties come in every fall color imaginable, from burnt oranges to yellows so bright they’ll make your pumpkins jealous. Pro tip: buy an absurd amount of them. Seriously, you can never have too many mums. Pop them in some rustic pots (or wooden baskets if you want to look extra fancy), and suddenly, your porch looks like it was designed by HGTV’s finest. Great place to purchase Walmart. 

3. Fall in Love With Lanterns (Not Actual Fire)

Turn off those harsh porch lights that make your house look like a crime scene and switch to lanterns. Their soft, warm glow will make your porch the perfect spot for sipping pumpkin spice lattes. Place a few pumpkins around them for good measure—because pumpkins. Just make sure the lanterns don’t double as hand warmers; we’re not looking to recreate a fall bonfire situation.

4. Think Vertically (Because the Ground is Overrated)

If you want to show your neighbors that you’ve got levels to your decorating skills (literally), stack some vintage crates. Fill them with gourds, mini pumpkins, or anything else that screams fall. It’s like a cornucopia exploded on your porch, but in a chic way.

5. Swap Out Seasonal Planters (RIP Summer Flowers)

September means it’s time to say goodbye to your summer petunias and embrace the changing foliage. Swap out your planters for something a little more autumnal. Not feeling creative? Just throw in more mums. Trust us—when in doubt, mums are always the answer. Tall grasses are also a great tip to get height at the front door.

6. Rugs on Rugs on Rugs (Fall’s Answer to Sweaters on Sweaters)

Thought you might like to see what I did for fall! Here’s our front porch, where I love decorating to welcome our guests. It’s fun to switch things up as the seasons change, and I feel like it’s a way to pause and appreciate each new season. One of my go-to tricks is layering rugs. I add a plaid rug underneath with a welcome pumpkin doormat, and just like that—Instagram-worthy porch decor! The smaller rug helps keep the larger one clean, so I typically use an affordable top rug and reuse the bottom one throughout the year.

7. Take Your Decor to New Heights (Literally)

If your porch decor is looking a little flat, it’s time to break out the hay bales. Not only do they give off that perfect fall-farm vibe, but they also provide elevation for your pumpkins. Plus, who doesn’t love the chance to climb all over them while figuring out the perfect decor arrangement? Just make sure you don’t take a tumble. Gravity is real, friends.

8. Throw a Scarf  or Ribbon on It (Yes, Really)

Turns out, scarves aren’t just for your neck. Drape an oversized flannel scarf or an inexpensive ribbon over your hay bales or pumpkins for an extra layer of texture. You’ll feel like a porch-decorating pro, and who knows? Maybe your pumpkins were just waiting to accessorize.

9. Dress up your plants by using a cauldron or a pumpkin as a pot.

Add a festive touch to your front porch by dressing up your plants with a creative twist! Use a cauldron or a pumpkin as a pot for your fall greenery or flowers. This fun and seasonal idea adds a playful Halloween or autumn vibe to your decor, instantly transforming ordinary plants into eye-catching porch features. It's a simple way to bring the spirit of the season to life while keeping your outdoor space vibrant and welcoming.

10. Swap Seasonal Wreaths (Because Your Summer One is Out of Style)

Switching to an autumn wreath is the easiest way to give your front porch a fall-ready look. It’s much quicker than carving a pumpkin, and who doesn’t love a time-saving hack? A wreath can also be a great way to express your personality. It can be playful, like one with Halloween witch legs sticking out, or more elaborate with lots of bows—whatever suits your style! This is your way to say who you are.

11. Create Depth With Steps (It’s Not Just for Fitness)

If your home has front steps, use them! Line those bad boys with pumpkins, mums, and lanterns like you’re decorating for a fall-themed wedding. The key here is to stagger your decor, so it doesn’t look like you just threw it all down in a pumpkin-spice-fueled frenzy.

Now that your porch is fall-tastic, take a step back and admire your handiwork. Your neighbors will be peeking out their windows, mumbling, "Wow, they really went all out this year." Congratulations—you’ve officially won fall. Time to reward yourself with a pumpkin-flavored treat!