Simple Fall Porch Ideas That Won't Bust Your Budget

You’ll love these simple fall porch ideas! Learn how to add color and texture and all the fall feels without breaking the bank.

I always say my favorite season is summer.

Those long, lazy days.

Reading a book by the pool or at the beach.

Refreshing cocktails.

Having the kids home from school.

Yup, summer is heavenly!

Until I feel that first cool morning that signals fall is just around the corner.

And then?

Then I’m all Fall-lal-lal-lal-lal!

And give me all the pumpkin spice!

Once the mums show up at my local grocery store I’m all in for all things Fall.

Overhead view of two large blooming mums with porch railings and shrubs in the background

Speaking of which, you’re going to love the money-saving secret for fall decorating that AnnMarie and I shared here!

When Should I Decorate My House for Fall?

This is a huge debate, isn’t it?!

For years I was firmly in the don’t decorate for Fall until September 21 camp.

But then we started having big Halloween parties and it didn’t feel like there was enough time to enjoy traditional fall decor.

So then I joined the decorate for fall over Labor Day weekend camp.

But now?

I say do what makes you happy!

Covered front porch entry with sidelights and transoms around the door. The door has lanterns on both sides, and urns with boxwood topiaries on each side. Mums in painted bushel baskets are on both sides with heirloom pumpkins and more lanterns mixed in.

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There is no right answer except for that one!

Although there are some things to consider if you decide to decorate your porch for fall on the early side.

If you’re decorating for fall with mums when it’s still really hot outside, those mums are gonna need plenty of water!

Especially if they’re in pots.

Also, did you know your mums will last longer if you don’t get the water on the leaves and flowers?

overhead view of mum and pumpkin on small wood stool another pumpkin with mum and lantern in front of stool

I’m not sure why that’s a thing because wouldn’t rain get water on them?

But I read that a few years ago, and it actually does make a difference in how mine look!

You’ll also want to dead head your mums to keep them blooming longer.

And isn’t that always the goal?!

Also, if you choose mums with buds that are mostly closed you get to enjoy more of their beautiful blooms.

But be careful with that one!

You might end up with different colors than you thought…

I decided to do something a little different this year and included some coleus plants on my fall porch.

I really love the variety they add to my front porch entryway!

And look at me not being symmetrical for a change!

These huge potted mums were 2 for $12 at our local grocery store, so I got four of them.

The fourth pot is down at the end of the porch on the side where we usually sit in the mornings.

Basket of mums on far end of porch next to a candle lantern with an heirloom pumpkin standing on side leaning against the basket of mums. A painted terra cotta pot holds dried faux flowers next to the mums.

And of course you can never go wrong with pumpkins on your fall porch!

Thanks to AnnMarie, now I’m partial to heirloom pumpkins because of their fun variety of shapes and colors.

Stack of three heirloom pumpkins on a front porch with baskets filled with mums in the background

They’re so fun to stack!

Two large heirloom pumpkins on a front porch with baskets of mums and a front door in the background.

These oblong pumpkins had such interesting shapes and coloring. The big striped one has a curve that was the perfect spot for the orange one to lean into!

Our local grocery store sells these gorgeous heirloom pumpkins for only $5.99 each!

For any size!

If your porch gets a lot of sun, or if it’s still really hot out, you might want to soak your pumpkins in a solution (1 Tbsp bleach per 4 cups water) for 20 minutes to kill any mold or bacteria.

It really does help them to last longer and not rot as quickly.

What Can I Put On My Porch for Fall?

It’s so fun to get creative when you decide what to put on your porch to decorate for Fall.

I love adding color on my front porch this time of year!

If you like decorating with color too be sure to check out our 13 simple ideas for adding fall color to your home.

For me, that fall color starts with the wreath on my front door.

I made that wreath when I couldn’t stomach the cost to buy a similar one online! Those big yellow sunflowers and orange Chinese lanterns always make me smile.

A great way to save money, but still make a statement with your decorating, is to choose some items that live on your porch year-round.

Lanterns are one of the things that I keep on my porch all the time.

I also love using the same baskets and urns to hold plants year after year.

The round baskets started out as brown bushel baskets from Walmart. The rectangular baskets were a steal at $2 each from our farmer’s market!

To make them work with my porch color scheme, I spray-painted them black with matte black paint.

Painted market basket filled with flame coleus with a large dried gourds. A pot of mums is in the background.

Some other great options for your fall porch decorating are large dried gourds. I love that you can store them and use them again for many years.

Small gourds like the ones below are another fun option. These bumpy gourds were only $.89 a piece at our grocery store!

Painted and aged terra cotta pot lying on its side with three small bumpy gourds spilling out. Painted bushel basket of mums in the background.

Since they’re small, group them together to make a statement.

Try having them spill out of a painted terra cotta pot.

Or maybe combine them with some dried flowers in a tall tiered plant stand.

gourds pinecone letter z decor piece and faux fall stems in vase styled in plant stand on porch

You can also add faux floral stems to your porch for fall.

This vintage bucket hold three faux fall branches for a great pop of color that can be used for years.

Vintage galvanized bucket holds yellow fall floral branches next to a porch rocking chair with a throw pillow

Be sure to check out these other ways to use fall floral stems throughout your home!

How to Dress Your Porch Rockers for Fall

Last year I shared some tips for making your porch cozy for fall.

Two rocking chairs each with a throw pillow and plaid throw blanket on the back on a covered front porch next to a side table with fall berries. An outdoor rug is in front of the rockers. Three-tiered iron plant stand is on other side of rocker filled with gourds and miniature pumpkins. Basket of mums on far end of porch next to a candle lantern with an heirloom pumpkin standing on side leaning against the basket of mums. A painted terra cotta pot holds dried faux flowers next to the mums.

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I swapped out the checked throws for these super soft plaid chenille throws this year.

Pillow covers are an inexpensive way to change up how your rocking chairs look for different seasons.

And it’s great to be able to easily wash them to get rid of pollen!

Woman with a coffee mug and iPhone sitting on a rocking chair on a porch decorated for fall

A porch rocker is the perfect spot for a mug of tea to enjoy the beautiful fall temperatures, don’t you think?

Or coffee.

But AnnMarie and I both prefer tea.

What’s your favorite way to decorate your porch for fall? Tell me about it in the comments below!

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Simple Fall Porch Ideas That Won’t Bust Your Budget

When Should I Decorate My House for Fall?

What Can I Put On My Porch for Fall?

How to Dress Your Porch Rockers for Fall

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