15 Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Fall: Advice from the Experts

October 15, 2020 by Julia Weaver

Nothing says fall like a cozy, fun, and inviting front porch, but coming up with the perfect display can sometimes be tricky. You don’t want to overdo it with the decor, and you certainly don’t want to fall short. Luckily, we’ve asked experts, from Portland, OR to New York, NY, to share their best front porch decorating ideas for fall so you can give your guests a festive welcome.

Follow mother nature’s lead

Let mother nature be your guide for mixing colors on your porch or front entry because she never gets it wrong. Pansies are a great fall flower with lots of mixed colors, and pick mums in three colors to coordinate. Hone in on one of those accent colors like yellow, burnt orange, or magenta for accent pillows or accessories. – Porch Daydreamer

 

Utilize different heights, textures, and colors

I always try to layer with different heights, textures, and colors for front porch decorating. This year, I decided to utilize my porch stairs and go for an ombre effect with my pumpkins. I started with white pumpkins and transitioned down to orange. I added in mums and lanterns to bring in different textures. If you don’t have stairs, try utilizing a bench or stools to add in height and always look for a few pumpkins that could easily stack on to each other. – ChalkfullofLove

 

Work outwards

Fill the space around the door and work outward from there to the steps as you’re decorating the front porch. This gives it an eye-catching illusion of looking like you decorated more than you did. Start with a bright autumn wreath or garland on the door and add some taller accents around the door frame, like a fall sign or colorful garland. Add beautiful fall flowers in a pot at the base and then add lanterns or pumpkins of different sizes, colors, and shapes trailing down the steps. You can add Halloween decor and simply take out those spooky pieces on November 1st. – Lyfetymes

 

Mix your styles

When I decorate the front porch for Autumn I like to mix the traditional orange and red colors of fall with the softer green and white hues of fairytale and heirloom pumpkins to create a charming welcome for my guests. – Cottage on Bunker Hill

 

Try a muted color scheme

To give your seasonal decor a more modern style, use lots of texture and a more muted color scheme like a chunky rust orange throw on the porch swing, plaid pillows mixed in on the swing in muted greens, and soft oranges instead of bright orange. Or, use dried hydrangeas in a gorgeous light green color both in pots and on a wreath. Try to mix in lots of pumpkins in light green, soft orange, and white to continue the color theme. Lastly, include a barn-wood sign that rounds out the texture “Fall Pumpkin Market”. – White Oak Farmhouse

 

Incorporate a festive doormat

If you are like many of us who can’t get enough and love the season of all things pumpkins, hedgehogs, and falling leaves, then an autumn doormat is perfect for you and your doorstep. Then, all you’ll need to do is add the pumpkins to your front porch decoration. – Artsy Doormats

Opt for a non-traditional color scheme

One unique idea that I would suggest for decorating the front porch this fall is to go with a non-traditional color scheme. Traditionally, orange pumpkins are used in front porch decorating, but pumpkins also come in blue, green, and white. Just using these colors alone without the oranges would work well for modern architectural homes, homes along the coast, or for anyone who is looking for a change in their fall style. – Plantation House Flowers

 

Incorporate recycled plastic

Utilize materials such as recycled plastic to achieve the desired look of a fall-ready porch. The look of recycled plastic mimics wood, which creates an earthy and cozy feel. Opt for recycled plastic over wood, as it does not fade, warp, or splinter, ensuring that it will last fall after fall. – Sunbrite Outdoor Furniture

 

Mix in natural elements

When it comes to decorating the front porch for fall, we like to keep it simple and natural. Pick 1-3 colors, and mix in natural elements (pumpkins, mums, grasses, etc) that all fall in that color palette. And don’t forget to anchor your door with a wreath. – Alma Homes

 

Use pumpkins, squash, and gourds to your advantage

A colorful mix of unique varieties of pumpkins, squash, and decorative gourds highlights the beauty of the fall harvest and can take your fall porch display from generic to fantastic. Some of our favorites are Warty Goblin, Long Island Cheese, Golden Butta Bowl, and Blue Delight. When it’s time to swap your fall display for Christmas lights, you can eat the pumpkins and squash, they’re delicious!  – Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

 

Make use of your fall leaves

Go out and collect the best and biggest leaves from your nearby parks, schools, and neighborhoods. Bring them home and let them dry out and then place them strategically under or on your front porch decorations, in areas where they can’t be blown away by the wind. It’s the perfect natural look to complete your autumn porch style. – Canada Mats

Get personal

When getting a doormat many people will get one that can appeal to everyone like the general “Hello” or “Hi”. We’re telling you to put something on that speak to you. Add your own family name or quirky sayings from your favorite shows, books, or movies to your mat so when your own friends and family see it they get a feeling of you. – Coco Mats N More

 

Consider compostable decoration

I like to use natural items for fall front porch decorating because they’re easy to source locally and when the season is over, I can compost my decorations rather than take up valuable storage space. My favorite idea that I’ve seen recently is to add a spiral topiary frame to an empty planter and pile small pumpkins and gourds in various colors inside, weave in some bittersweet vines and green ivy, and add more pumpkins around the planter base. Simple, festive, and green. – Merriment Design

 

Do the unexpected 

Instead of the normal warm autumn color palette of oranges, reds and browns, consider using white pumpkins and a neutral colored wreath for a different and more modern take on fall decor. Stairs are a great place to add pumpkins, candle lanterns and/or potted plants. I love using crates when decorating for fall because they’re so versatile. You can stack them, put pumpkins on them, fill them with garlands, or even set a scarecrow on top. – Black Cat Interiors

 

Break the rules

Let’s break the rules this year and bedazzle the neighborhood with a unique front porch. We recommend an unusual color scheme for autumn, all black and white with small orange accents. Instead of traditional pumpkins on the porch, use white-painted pumpkins or wooden pumpkin cut-outs. Place different-sized white pumpkins on either side of the porch accompanied by white mums in black pots. Add swing chairs with soft white blankets to warm you on chill autumn evenings. Get pillows with orange polka dots or zigzag patterns to add an accent color to spruce up the design. As a final touch, hang a rustic wooden sign on the front door with a welcoming message displayed on it in white to go along the color palette. – Lily Travis, Front Signs