7 Beautiful Organics To Help You Decorate For Early Fall
Transition your home from summer to fall with 5 beautiful organics—apples, pears, hydrangeas, sunflowers, ornamental cabbage, and Indian corn.
I’ve always loved seasonal transitions in decorating. That probably comes from my years of teaching elementary school, especially first grade. My classroom flowed right along with the seasons and holidays, and that rhythm still influences the way I decorate today.
As a decorator and blogger, I naturally look ahead to the in-between times—the moments when one season is winding down and another is just beginning. Right now is the perfect time to start thinking about moving from summer’s light and airy feel into the warmer, cozier look of early fall.
You might like to read The Smart Girl’s Guide to Easy Fall Decorating. It’s filled with ideas for easing your home into fall.
When Late Summer Meets Early Fall
I like to transition slowly, enjoying the process of tucking away summer accents and bringing in early fall touches. I never rush the change in a day or two, at least, not before blogging changed my timelines. This time of year is one of my favorites because summer and fall share the stage for a few short weeks.
The mornings and evenings turn cooler, even though just slightly, while the afternoons can still feel warm. The annuals in my pots are nearly finished after the heat of July and August, so I swap them for lettuce that will be ready for fall harvest and plant marigolds for a pop of color. And the hydrangeas are ready to be picked and enjoyed indoors.
In my area, early fall usually isn’t when I bring out lots of pumpkins, mums, or heavy throw blankets. I like to start with small, meaningful changes. That said, you’ll see a few pumpkins in these images. If you can find them early and want to use them, go ahead and enjoy them in your decor. As hard as I try, I just can’t restrain myself when I see darling baby boo pumpkins at the local farm stands I haunt.
Here are five beautiful organics that are perfect for this season of transition.
Apples
Apples are the quintessential September fruit, tying together back-to-school and the early days of fall. With so many colors, shapes, and flavors, they’re a decorator’s dream and a cook’s favorite.
The simplest way to decorate with apples is to fill a bowl with them for an easy, beautiful arrangement. Another favorite of mine is to tuck the last blooms of summer into Mason jars, set them on a tray, and surround them with apples.
I also like to set up an early fall coffee station in late August with apples as the star. You can see my Early Fall Coffee Bar for inspiration.
Of course, nothing makes my home smell like early fall more than cooking with apples. We love to pick them, make applesauce, dry them, and bake with them. My Raw Apple Cake is a seasonal favorite, filled with the cozy scents of cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.
Apples are simple, beautiful, and versatile. Perfect for adding a fresh, seasonal look to your home in early fall.
Pears
Pears don’t get the attention apples do, but they are every bit as beautiful. Their graceful shape, fall-inspired colors, and sweet, delicate flavor make them perfect for early fall decorating.
Place a half-dozen pears in a wide bowl for an elegant centerpiece, or mix them with flowers in an arrangement. From tiny, chubby seckel pears to richly hued Bosc pears, they bring a soft, organic beauty to any display.
They’re also delicious! Try my Pear Tart for a dessert that shows off the pears’ flavor and texture.
With their graceful shape and soft colors, pears add quiet beauty to early fall decorating. Whether displayed in a bowl, mixed with flowers, or used as a seasonal accent on the table, they bring a natural elegance that works in any room.
Styling Tips for Decorating With Organics
- When arranging fresh and faux organics together, place the real items toward the front and at eye level. The mix looks more realistic and helps disguise the faux pieces.
- Preserve the beauty of certain organics, like leaves or hydrangeas, by drying them before they fade. They will last all season and can be reused next year.
- For a budget-friendly option, forage for organics in your yard or local area. Branches, acorns, seed pods, and wildflowers can be just as beautiful as store-bought decor.
- Choose a color palette before buying seasonal organics. This makes your displays look cohesive and avoids impulse purchases that don’t match your decor.
- Use smaller organics, like mini pears or crabapples, to fill in gaps in larger arrangements or tablescapes.
Hydrangeas
Late summer and early fall are the best times to cut hydrangeas. By mid-September, they’re ideal for drying, so I fill our home with fresh and drying blooms from now until October.
If you want them to last, you’ll love my tips for Keeping Cut Hydrangeas From Wilting and Drying Hydrangeas the Easy Way.
Look for my upcoming post about making a dried hydrangea wreath—it’s such a simple, beautiful way to bring fall inside.
Hydrangeas are beautiful, fresh or dried, and their colors blend perfectly with early fall decorating. They add softness and fullness to any arrangement or display.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are one of the happiest flowers to decorate with. They’re bold, cheerful, and perfect for late summer through fall. Use them on their own or mixed with other flowers for a vibrant arrangement.
You might enjoy Decorating With Sunflowers for more inspiration, plus tips for keeping them fresh and drying their seed heads.
Dried sunflower heads add wonderful texture to a fall arrangement, a table display, or even a seasonal wreath
Sunflowers bring a cheerful, vibrant look to early fall and work just as well fresh as they do dried in seasonal arrangements.
Fall Branches And Leaves
Fall leaves are one of the easiest ways to bring the fall season into your home. I like to use realistic-looking leaves in arrangements, vases, and baskets because they hold their color and shape all season long. Good faux stems can look just as beautiful as real ones, and they’re reusable year after year.
Look for leaves with natural variations in color, reds, golds, and soft browns, and stems that can be shaped. I often mix them with hydrangeas, sunflowers, or branches for more interest. A large vase of faux maple or oak leaves on a console table or kitchen island instantly says fall without feeling heavy.
If you use real leaves or cut branches, remember they won’t last long indoors, so enjoy them for a few days and then refresh your display.
Pro Tip
The most realistic faux organics are often expensive, but they are worth the investment because they look beautiful year after year. Start by choosing just one faux organic each season that looks and feels as close to the real thing as possible. Over time, you will have a collection you can use in arrangements, wreaths, and displays every fall without needing to buy as much new decor.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale
Ornamental cabbage and kale are such pretty early fall plants. Their round, layered leaves come in shades of green, cream, purple, and pink, and they add great texture to arrangements and container gardens.
They do well in cooler weather and look good long into the season. I like to use them in porch planters with mums, trailing ivy, or marigolds. Indoors, smaller plants work well tucked into baskets, trays, or down the center of a table for a simple seasonal display.
When buying ornamental cabbages or kale, look for plants with firm leaves and a tight center. Keep them watered, and if the weather is still warm, place them in a spot with some afternoon shade.
They mix nicely with other organics like hydrangeas, branches, or fruit for an easy, natural look. I also like to pair them with pumpkins. Sorry, I just could not resist!
Ornamental cabbages and kale bring wonderful texture and color to early fall decorating and look fresh and seasonal well into cooler weather.
Indian Corn
Indian corn is one of the prettiest early fall organics. The multicolored kernels, ranging from deep burgundy and gold to creamy white, add rich color and a harvest feel to any display. The dried husks bring texture that works indoors or out.
I like to bundle three or four ears together with twine or ribbon and hang them on a door, use them in a wreath, or lay them along a mantel or table runner. Small bundles look great tucked into baskets or dough bowls with other seasonal organics.
When choosing Indian corn, look for ears with tightly packed kernels and husks that are dry but still flexible. Keep them in a dry spot so they last through the season.
The showy Indian Corn Wreath is so easy to make and adds a beautiful and big harvest accent to your fall decor.
Indian corn adds color and texture to early fall decorating and works beautifully in wreaths, centerpieces, and seasonal displays.
More Early Fall Organics To Use
There are so many other seasonal organics that work beautifully in early fall decorating. Mixing in a few unexpected elements can give your displays more texture and interest.
- Dried seed pods (lotus pods, poppy pods)
- Wheat stalks
- Acorns
- Pinecones
- Dried lavender
- Cotton stems
- Bittersweet branches
- Small gourds (natural colors)
Learn how to make Wool Ball Acorns. They are quick to put together and bring a playful, seasonal accent to your fall decorating.
The transition between summer and fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. With just a few seasonal organics, you can create arrangements and displays that reflect the changing season in a simple and natural way.
Early Fall Posts To Help You Decorate Your Home
If you are looking for more inspiration for this beautiful season, here are a few early fall posts you might enjoy.
Transitioning Your Home From Late Summer To Early Fall – Helpful tips for making small, thoughtful changes that ease your home into the new season without rushing.
60 Early Fall Decorating Ideas For Your Home – Creative ways to bring the colors, textures, and feel of early fall into every room.
The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Decorating Your Home – Simple, doable decorating tips for creating a beautiful home without a lot of fuss or effort.
Shop For Fall Organics
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of us wonder when it’s just right to bring fall decor into our homes. The truth is, there’s no hard rule. Some wait for autumn’s official arrival in late September; others begin as soon as they feel inspired. Honestly, it’s perfectly fine to add organic touches whenever it feels right to you, whether that’s late August, after Labor Day, or early October.
Absolutely, you can create fall decor that’s fresh, organic, and pumpkin-free. Try using dried hydrangeas, mums, fall branches (real or faux), acorns, seed pods, or pinecones to bring texture and warmth into your home. Even simple arrangements with items foraged from your yard can feel both beautiful and seasonal.
For beautiful and lasting decor, realistic faux elements can be a lifesaver. Faux leaves or botanical stems remain vibrant longer, and quality faux can be just as charming as fresh. Another tip: if using real foliage, embrace the natural aging, wilting leaves and branches have their own quiet beauty.
Happy fall decorating, friends…
Everything looks so beautiful!
Hi Wendy, I hope you will try some of these arrangements.
Wonderful inspiration as always thank you!
Deidre, you are so welcome. Happy almost fall.
Thanks, Yvonne, for giving us so many ideas. You are such an inspiration!
Hi Mary Ann! You are so sweet. Happy almost fall.