10 Fall/Autumn Decorating Ideas and Hacks

Velvet Pumpkins from ShoptheManor.com

Fall in Houston brings about a whole new breed of people. It’s the Uggs and scarves wearing folks in 80 degree weather, but I love everything about it, especially an excuse to change up your home or apartment decor.

Here are a few of my Fall decorating essentials and tips, which make my Montrose apartment feel a bit more cozy leading into the holidays:

• Pumpkin scented candles are the quickest way to get into the fall spirit
• Autumn themed doormats are also a favorite. In an apartment, you don’t have a ton of room to decorate from the outside (your doormat, perhaps a wreath on your door and your balcony lighting if you’re lucky to have a great balcony like I do!)
• These velvet pumpkins are great for fall decor and reusable each year, which makes them worth the extra money
• There are all sorts of DIY projects that double as a great evening with friends/family while also creating your very own fall decor. Check out my DIY Pinterest board.
• I’m also a fan “less is more” when it comes to decorating. If you don’t want to invest in fall-specific decor, try going for an autumn-like color palette. Perhaps decorate with golds and silvers, or do an orange and white theme. Rather than getting a ton of pumpkins or specialized decor, go for the colors. Bring out those throw pillows, candles or blankets that hit on that color scheme. On that same note, it can even be as easy as making a coffee bar with a fall or Halloween-themed mug set out as decor.
• Be smart with the items you do purchase. If you go all in on Halloween-themed pumpkins and jackolanterns, they may be obsolete in a matter of days. Instead, use white pumpkins as centerpieces, that way they’ll last you all the way through November!
• Add plaid. You likely have some plaid prints laying around or can score some at Target. Plaid is easily one of the most festive “colors.”
• Use spaces/things you already have. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, clean it up and add one or two small items to make it stand out. If you have a balcony (yay for the fact Encore Montrose does!), add a pumpkin out there or a string of holiday lights. They don’t need to be tacky orange lights for Halloween – even a set of classic white lights will add so much.
• Change up your centerpiece. Odds are you already own a vase or two, so stop by a local craft store and grab a few fall colored fake flowers to spruce it. It’s such a small investment, but makes a huge statement.
• Letterboards for the win! Probably one of my favorite at-home decorating/welcoming guests/motivating myself hacks is having a letterboard you can easily change to fit any theme. If you’re rooting for the Eagles at a watch party in your apartment, change up the message to FLY EAGLES FLY. Or add something like “Basic Witch,” “Leggings, Leaves & Lattes, Please” or something else clever like “You’re BOO-tiful” to add a little festiveness to your space.

Don’t miss our blog post on Halloween easy decorating ideas too! And while you’re in the spirit of fall vibes, don’t miss this Houston Fall bucket list with so many date night and kid-friendly ideas to keep you busy!

This is part of a sponsored series with Encore Montrose, sharing what I love about these vibrant and fun Montrose apartments that make life so much easier. If you’re looking for a new Houston luxury apartment with a central Houston location, visit them for a tour and tell them Jayme (or The Blonde Side) referred you! Happy apartment hunting and cheers to Houston living!