The change of seasons… also known as the perfect excuse to change up the look and feel of your house! Decorating your house to match the outside world can be fun but also a little expensive. If you’re anything like us, who love fall decor but want to stick to more simple and cost effective options, you’re in the right place! To help you make your house fall friendly in an affordable manner, we’ve created a list of simple and inexpensive ways and tips on decorating, as well as where to find reasonably priced decor.
Indoor:
1. Add color to your couch
Never underestimate a little change in color! Simply swapping out your basic throw pillows and blankets and replacing them with fall designs and colors can change the entire look and feel of a room. Popular fall colors include red, orange, yellow, white, and black.
Stores that provide dozens of affordable decorative and colorful throws include:
- Big Lots
- Target
- Michaels
- TJ Maxx
2. Light candles
Research via Google Trends has shown the most popular scented candles in the United States are associated with autumn. Research done via Google Trends has shown the most popular scented candles in the United States are those associated with autumn. Unsurprisingly, pumpkin scented candles are the most popular in over nine states! From now until November, stores like Bath and Body Works, Meijer, and Michaels will be selling autumn scents. If you’re not one to spend $25 on a candle, Big Lots sells 17 ounce candles for as low as $6!
Popular fall scents include:
- Vanilla
- Cinnamon
- Sandalwood
- Apple Cider
- Maple
3. Decorate with fake flowers
Easy to maintain and reusable for years to come, artificial flowers and maple leaf vines are another way to add color and comfort to your home without spending too much! Give into your creative side and visit your local craft or dollar store to mix-match any popular fall flowers or leaf variations. Place them in jars or small vases on your kitchen table or wrap vines and garland around your mantle or staircase to match the beauty of outside, inside!
Stores that sell realistic artificial flowers for great prices:
- Michaels
- JoAnnes
- Walmart
- Target
4. Display seasonal collections
Mix-matching ceramic pumpkins, apple patterned bowls, art pieces, or any kind of fall items you already have is a great way to decorate, and totally affordable! Create a fun ambience by placing little pumpkins next to a “pumpkin spice” sign or place freshly picked apples in a decorative bowl. If you don’t happen to have any decorations, find seasonal fruits, candy, or other food items and display them in jars or bowls!
Where to find inexpensive fall decor items:
- Big Lots
- Dollar Store
- Target
5. Change lighting
Christmas isn’t the only time to put out string lights! Weather often impacts mood, and Michigan in the fall can get pretty cloudy and cold. One way to combat any gray feelings is to illuminate your space with fun, warmer, relaxing colors. From a change in bulbs, to yellow, orange, or soft white string lights, prep your house for cozy as the world outside turns cold.
Stores that sell affordable and wide variations of lighting:
- Amazon
- At Home
- Home Depot
Outdoor:
1. Pot flowers
Flowers can add color, warmth, and elegance outside your home. Plant them into your current landscape or simply place pots around your porch to embrace the sweet season. Popular fall flowers and arrangements include mums, sunflowers, pansies, and black-eyed susans.
The Fulton Street Farmers Market in Grand Rapids turns 100 this year, and is an excellent place to find affordable flowers, and is a great way to engage with the community!
Other places to find affordable flowers:
- Your local farmers market
- Greenhouses and nurseries in you area
- Grocery stores
2. Pick out pumpkins
We can’t forget about (arguably) the most popular piece of fall decor: pumpkins! Decorating your front porch, near your door, backyard, or other outdoor space with pumpkins is always a simple and cheap way to celebrate the season.
Finding pumpkins:
- Local nurseries and farms
- Orchards
- Grocery stores
- Farmers markets
If the idea of having to throw away rotten pumpkins at the end of the season disgusts you, there are numerous stores with realistic looking pumpkins! Prices are typically determined by size, but many range from $10 to $20.
For outdoor artificial pumpkins you can look to:
- Home Depot
- Walmart
- Meijer
- Lowes
3. Buy a fall doormat
An easy way to celebrate the season is by placing a doormat outside (or inside) your front door. There are numerous, low-cost, affordable designs and graphic doormats currently selling at retailers. Purchasing a graphic rug and layering it with another colorful one is one way to also add color to the entrance of your home.
Fall doormats can be found at:
- Dollar General
- Meijer
- Home Depot
- Big Lots
4. Hang a wreath
No matter the season, wreaths offer simple and inviting statement pieces for your front door. Tie in all elements of the fall season by purchasing wicker-lined wreaths with pumpkins, leaves, flowers, and more. Looking for someone to make a personalized wreath? Vendors at craft and farmers markets or affordable artists on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace can customize anything you want!
Everything you need to purchase or customize your own wreath can be found at:
- Dollar Stores
- JoAnnes
- Michaels
- TJ Maxx
5. Stack hay
Give your house that orchard-feel and set out hay bales on your porch or in your yard. Price ranges from $5 to $8 and add grandeur to the outside of your house. And the best part about hay is that you can stack it! Pile up the hay and top it with pumpkins, mums, or cute scarecrows to create that fall farmhouse look.
Where to find hay/hay stack bundles:
- Home Depot
- Lowes
- Hobby Lobby
- Orchards
Fall in Michigan is so beautiful and homeowners should be able to match their house to the season without feeling like they are over-spending. Though the season is a short one, it is definitely sweet, and we hope our tips and suggestions have inspired you and helped you to make your house as cozy (and affordable) as can be!
For more amazing West Michigan content, be sure to follow us on our other social media platforms for an up-to-date look at fall events, blogs, and more.