Smart Planning for Fall Decorating: What To To Do Now

Make An Overall Plan

Planning for fall will be much easier if you make an overall fall decorating plan.

We all know the Ben Franklin adage, If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. I keep this in mind when I decorate anything! It’s so true. My biggest and costliest decorating mistakes have been made when don’t take the time to thoughtfully plan out my decorating projects. Can you relate?

Our goal is to add a touch of fall to our homes, not to overdecorate every surface so our spaces look cluttered.

Here are tried and true ideas for planning your fall decorating.

• Write It Down: Start by jotting down your ideas and plans for each room. Having a clear vision on paper helps keep you organized and focused. Remember, a little fall decor goes a long way!
• Decorate One Flat Surface in a Room: To set the tone for the rest of your fall decor, begin with a single focal point, like a mantel, coffee table, or entryway console.
• Add Fall Organics: Incorporate natural elements such as pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, and autumn leaves to bring the outdoors inside. Most of my fall decor falls into this category. Again, a little goes a long way.
• What Needs to Be Purchased: Make a list of any items you need to buy to complete your fall decor, from candles and throw pillows to wreaths and table runners. I’m concentrating on updating accessories, candles, candle holders this year, and amber glass.
• Assess Existing Decor: Evaluate your current decorations to see what can be reused, repurposed, or needs replacing. More later in the post.
• Create a Timeline: Set a schedule for when you plan to decorate each area of your home, ensuring you have ample time to complete your vision. At least set a start date. Make it today!
• Ease Into Fall Decor: It’s easier to take your time and enjoy decorating your home for fall. Choose one space and lightly decorate it for early fall. Make sure to check out THE SMART GIRL’S GUIDE TO EASY FALL DECORATING. It has tons of helpful ideas!
• Set a Budget: Determine how much you are willing to spend on fall decorations and stick to it to avoid overspending.
• Involve the Family: Get input and help from family members to make the decorating process more fun and collaborative.
• Take Photos: Document your progress with photos to see what works and what might need adjusting. This can also serve as inspiration for next year. So smart!

These steps will help you create and implement a comprehensive and effective fall decorating plan.

Check Out Your Fall Stash

Heading down to my basement to go through my fall stash is like meeting old friends! It’s also like Christmas because I find things I forgot I had. Over the years, I’ve let go of or given away quite a lot of decor that I no longer want or need, so choosing items I might use this fall is an easy task. Knowing my fall color story and theme makes setting things aside to use this fall a quick task. I keep my eyes on the lookout for color and things to enhance my home.

Taking Stock Of Your Fall Decor

Now is the perfect opportunity to inventory what you have, clean and organize your items, and set aside the pieces you plan to use.

Start by pulling out all your fall decorations and assessing their condition. Give each item a good clean to remove any dust or dirt that may have accumulated over the past year. As you sort through your collection, be selective and only choose the best pieces that work with your fall color palette and theme. This will help ensure that your decor feels cohesive and thoughtfully curated.

The image above shows a seasonal vignette from a couple of years ago on a counter in the kitchen. I’m grabbing the fall leaf branches out of my fall stash to use again this autumn. It will work perfectly with the fall color story and theme.

Make A List

As you decide which items to keep, make a list of any additional decorations you may need to complete your autumn look. This year, I purchased a few new pillow covers for my living room sofa.

This could include anything from new throw pillows and blankets to a fresh wreath for your front door. Keeping a list will help you stay focused and avoid impulse purchases that don’t fit your theme, which is so important and smart.

Check out the items at the end of this post to see things I’ve already purchased or items I love for fall decorating.

Don’t Overdecorate

It’s also important to resist the urge to overdecorate. While it can be tempting to use all your favorite fall items, too many decorations can make your space feel cluttered and overwhelming.

I like to say, don’t dump the entire decorating truck in your home. This is a good mental picture to keep in mind.

Instead, aim for a balanced and curated look by carefully selecting a few key pieces that truly enhance your home’s autumnal atmosphere. Our goal should be to create a warm and inviting space that celebrates the best of the season.

In our downsized home, I need to be very careful not to overdecorate. I plan to create one focal point on a flat surface in each room.

Make Or Decorate One Thing For Fall

To get motivated and kickstart your seasonal decorating, make or decorate one thing for the season. I love the feeling of hanging a new fall wreath on my front door—it’s my sign that fall decorating is underway. It’s so exciting to concentrate on one small task and welcome the season into our home.

I also like to lightly decorate my foyer for fall. In our area, we can get green unripe pumpkins that look so pretty with drying Limelight hydrangeas. Adding them to our foyer table is a sign of fall to me.

Focusing on one task, whether crafting a homemade wreath, arranging a fall-themed centerpiece, or decorating your mantel, can create a sense of accomplishment and excitement. It also creates that magical combination of creativity and inspiration to motivate you to transform your home beautifully for fall.

As you plan your fall decor this year, remember your goal: Create a home that radiates fall coziness and charm by adding a light touch of the season. Decorate for fall smarter, not harder!

Shopping Guide

Take a look at the items I’ve ordered for my fall home and other pieces I love that you might too…

Happy Fall Decorating, Friends!