Front Entrance Fall Decorating Ideas

Rather than lament the end of summer, celebrate the changing season. While you might lose sunny afternoons lounging by the pool, you're gaining so much more. Those crisp, cool autumn afternoons provide the ideal climate for a wide range of fun activities, from perusing harvest festivals and apple orchards with a pumpkin spice latte in hand to sitting on your front porch with a delicious fall-inspired cocktail.

If home feels a little tired these days (who could blame you!), there are plenty of easy ways to make the same old feel brand new and—dare we say—exciting. With the right fall decor, like a welcoming wreath (DIY or otherwise), a pretty painted pumpkin, or a homemade sign, even the smallest outdoor spaces can be transformed into a cozy nook ripe for reading or nibbling on a pumpkin-flavored dessert.

All you need is a little inspiration and a few budget-friendly supplies. And, before you know it, the entryway to your home will become a coveted outdoor oasis with plenty of curb appeal. And, yes, you have our permission to start early if you simply can't wait. These fall front porch decor ideas are sophisticated enough to take you from August all the way through November.

leaf garland

Wallflower Kitchen

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String Garland on the Banister

If your porch has a railing or banister, string up these twinkling strands. The leaves add a touch of color during the day, while the lights provide a soft glow at night.

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Blissable/Etsy.com

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Hey There Pumpkin Pillow

One of the easiest ways to give your front porch a seasonal makeover is to swap out any throw pillows on swings, chairs, and benches. Look for fun fall phrases, plaids, and burlap.

fall front porch

Craftberrybush

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Stick With a Neutral Color Palette

For a look that will last from Labor Day through Thanksgiving, steer clear of the expected orange color palette. Instead, look to sophisticated neutrals, like white, green, and even a little bit of black.

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fall front porch

Craftberrybush

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Embellish With Greenery

Use decorative greenery, like eucalyptus leaves, to fill any negative space between plantings, pumpkins, and other front porch decor. It not only looks great, but eucalyptus is also exceptionally easy to care for.

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wooden pumpkin decor

The Craft Patch Blog

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colorful pumpkin wreath

Lovely Indeed

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Use Unexpectedly Bold Colors

fall porch idea

Craftberry Bush

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Incorporate an Apple Basket

A bushel basket provides the perfect nod towards a beloved fall activity, plus adds some dimension to your entryway.

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pumpkin topiary

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Assemble a Pumpkin Topiary

Add height to your planters by crafting topiaries out of pumpkins. Just be sure to use faux gourds if you want your creation to last all season—and beyond.

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SHOP PUMPKINS

fall farmhouse bucket

A Night Owl Blog

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Fill a DIY Fall Farmhouse Bucket

ThePersonalizedGift

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Add a Soft Glow at Night

Line steps or the pathway to your porch with seasonal lanterns that will cast a gorgeous glow come dusk.

pumpkin flower vase

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Fill Pumpkins With Seasonal Blooms

For something more elevated than your typical jack-o-lantern, carve out the top of a white pumpkin, then place an artful arrangement of seasonal flowers inside. For maximum effect, place one on each side of your front door.

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Cottage Revivals

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Hang a Haunted Birdhouse

Use this spooky little birdhouse to encourage all the neighborhood birds to make your front yard home for the winter.

The Holiday Porch

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Add a Seasonal Sign

Usher in the new season—and any guests you're expecting—with a pretty wooden sign. You can also make one yourself if you're on a budget.

fall porch front steps

Bless'er House

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Don't Forget the Steps

When it comes to small porches, sometimes simple reigns supreme. To make the most of your space, choose a few autumnal accents—like pumpkins, mums, and lanterns—and create a symmetric vignette on each side of your entryway.

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halloween window clings

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Add Halloween Window Clings

Though bats and skulls are a great choice for Halloween, you could also design leaves, pumpkins, or other fall-inspired shapes. Once they've dried, stick them on the glass panes of your front door or any windows on your porch.

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mums in paint cans

Dream a Little Bigger

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Pot Plenty of Mums

There's nothing quite like an abundance of mums to make your front yard look ripe for fall. If paint cans aren't your cup of tea, opt for old milk cans, galvanized buckets, or bushel baskets instead.

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bench on a porch

A Night Owl Blog

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Turn a Bench Into a Pretty Vignette

A bench provides the perfect blank canvas for a pretty fall scene complete with lanterns, pumpkins, and—of course—a pillow and a throw to make it a comfortable place to perch.

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pumpkin planter

Dream a Little Bigger

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DIY Seasonal Planters

Rather than keep your mums in the plastic planters they come in, tackle this easy DIY to make dollar store pumpkins look like cool concrete planters.

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yarn wreath

Lovely Indeed

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Add Textured Elements

This soft, textured wreath is a welcome departure from florals—especially since its so reminiscent of your favorite chunky fall sweater.

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window decals

A Beautiful Mess

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Turn Porch Windows Into Jack-o-Lanterns

pumpkin house number

In My Own Style

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Carve Your House Number Into a Pumpkin

Put a decorative spin on one of the more utilitarian elements of your porch by carving your house number into a faux pumpkin.

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SnappyPea

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Weave in Burlap Accents

If there's anywhere burlap belongs, it's in your fall decor scheme. This monogrammed door hanger isn't too rustic, so it will look great on your front entrance all season.

pampas grass wreath

A Beautiful Mess

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Hang a Pampas Grass Wreath

no carve pumpkins

A Beautiful Mess

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Decorate With No-Carve Pumpkins

If the weather stays warm and sunny in your locale, opt for no-carve pumpkins instead of jack-o-lanterns. They're just as eye-catching, but last much longer under more extreme temperatures.

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halloween lanterns