When to Start Decorating for Fall | Balsam Hill (2024)

When Can You Put up Fall Decorations?

Autumn Abundance Foliage

When should you start decorating for fall? It's really a matter of preference. Some start within the first two weeks of October, while others simply observe the changes in the weather and redecorate accordingly. A good rule of thumb is to begin with your interior décor in late September or early October. When the weather is cooler and the leaves have turned, then your outdoor decorations can follow suit.

If you also want to decorate for Halloween and Thanksgiving, here’s a timeline you can follow.

When To Decorate for Halloween

Aim to put up yourHalloween decorationsin the two weeks leading up to October 31. We recommend keeping your existing fall décor and just adding spooky touches such as cobwebs or spider cut-outs. This way, you can simply remove the Halloween pieces three days to a week after the holiday.

When To Decorate for Thanksgiving

You can start as early as November 1 and keep yourThanksgiving decorationsthroughout the month. This includes your tablescapes, turkey décor, and other Thanksgiving-specific accents. Keep these up for until three days after the big night.

Insider’s Tip

The last week of November is a good time to take down and pack away any fall décor that you don’t plan to include in your Christmas theme.

Dressing Up Specific Spaces for the Season

Summer to fall transition decor is all about swapping in new textures, accents, and foliage in a color palette that better reflects the cozier feel of the season. Plan your décor accordingly as this will set the tone in your home for a good quarter of the year. Here are some ideas to inspire you to get creative.

Front Door & Entryway

Outdoor Harvest Bloom Foliage

Offer your guests a warm and cheerful welcome. Adorn your front door or porch with vibrant décor that highlights nature’s bounty. Lush wreaths and garlands with bronze, gold, brown, and orange foliage draw the eye and brighten your doorway.

Add other elements for visual interest. Pre-lit pumpkins tie in well with the harvest theme and their distinct, weathered look makes them stand out from the usual jack o’ lanterns. Traditional metal lanterns radiate elegance and cast an inviting glow when evening sets in.

Pumpkin and Eucalyptus Foliage|LED Cut-Out Pumpkins

Create an outdoor haven that reflects the warmth and elegance of your interiors. Drape sparkling string lights along railings or tree branches for enchanting sparkle, then dress up seats and sofas with wool throws. Group together flameless candles of varying sizes for gentle illumination and arrange pumpkin accents for a refined autumnal display.

If you’re eager to entertain al fresco, a copper fire pit makes for a beautiful focal point. It creates a welcoming ambience that encourages guests and loved ones to linger a little longer.

Living Room

Halloween Glitter Twig Foliage|Outdoor Heirloom Pumpkins|Miracle Flame LED Wax Pillar Candle

An easy way to transition your living room is by replacing summer-themed cotton pillows with ones made with rich, textured fabric. Tweed and herringbone are great choices for this season, as well as soft velvet and faux fur. Cashmere throws and blankets make sophisticated accents for your couch, and cozy accompaniments for brisk fall evenings, too.

With summer over, it’s time to decorate your hearth to keep with the new season. Embellish it with autumnal elements such as gourds, twigs, candles, and pinecones to create a wonderfully warm focal point. Infuse cheery bursts of color into your living room by addingfloral arrangementsto the mantel or coffee table.

Popular seasonal blooms include chrysanthemums, asters, camellias, and dahlias. Choose pots and urns in muted earth tones to pick up on the fall theme and provide appealing contrast to your flowers.

Tablescapes

Fall Medley Foliage|Bronzed Tabletop Turkey

Dazzle guests with beautiful centerpieces and autumn-themed dinnerware. An artful arrangement of apples, twigs, berries, dried leaves, and pinecones set the tone for your fall festivities, and serves as a good conversation starter for you and your guests.

Carry over the fall theme to your bar carts and dessert tables, too. Flameless candles and accessories in a warm or neutral palette tie in with the autumnal feel.

Kitchen

Fairytale Pumpkin Foliage|Classic Fairy Light Lantern|Tabletop Heirloom Pumpkins