Budget Friendly Fall Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home

Here are some easy fall budget-friendly decor ideas to create a super comfy space in your home without having to spend lots of cash!

It happens every year. Once those school supplies start showing up in the stores, I start getting the itch to switch to fall decor all around our home.

And since our youngest starts his last first day of school tomorrow (I can’t even handle that statement 🥹), I thought I’d put together some of my favorite budget-friendly ideas to add fall decor to your home!

Budget Friendly Fall Decor Ideas to Create a Cozy Home

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A cozy fall home is always welcoming and helps usher in the season.

But if you are in a current financial situation like we are, then you don’t always have extra income to decorate using new decor.

Here are some easy fall budget-friendly ways to create a super comfy space in your home without having to spend lots of cash!

Pumpkins are Always an Affordable Option

Fall front porch with heirloom pumpkins and mums on brick steps — Heirloom Pumpkins and Mums on our Front Porch

Whether it’s real pumpkins or fakers, I don’t feel like I can usher in the season without bringing out pumpkins.

For just a few bucks, you can purchase a pumpkin or two and you instantly transform your home into a cozy fall space!

fall dining table with a mixture of faux and real pumpkins on a checkered runner and hyacinth placemats — Fall Pumpkin Tablescape

I’ve used a variety of pumpkins in lots of neutral colors mixing the real thing with artificial pumpkins to create the exact look I wanted for our dining room table.

You can even paint some faux pumpkins if you are wanted a unique fall color palette, like the year I decorated our family room with navy and copper.

blue crackle painted pumpkins and orange pumpkins in a wooden carved box — Crackle Painted Pumpkin s

I have two favorite places to find pumpkins that are perfect for our budget. The first is Trader Joes for real, but affordable heirloom pumpkins. And Hobby Lobby is a great place for inexpensive artificial ones.

Looking for where to find the best faux pumpkins online? My friend, Lauren, from Blesser House has put together a list of the most realistic pumpkins you can buy.

Add Elements of Copper and Amber to Your Color Scheme

Nothing shouts fall more than those rust and orange-y hues so I love to pull out my favorite decor items that naturally have that color.

amber bottles and copper elements sitting on a tarnished silver tray — Fall Entryway

Bring the beauty of fall indoors with these easy and affordable decor tips! Perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere on a budget.

Copper containers, amber bottles, and even feathers all are easy ways to add hints of warm colors to your home without going over budget – especially if you already have them on hand!

vintage crocks, amber bottles and gray spatterware in a fall arrangement — Amber and Gray Fall Decor

Look around your house for anything that has those fall colors and bring them out to enjoy.

Grab Natural Elements from Outdoors

Free is my favorite word!

Consider heading into your yard or local park to forage for branches, dried flowers or cattails.

Adding dried hydrangeas or colorful fall leaves are a great way to bring in fall decor to your home.

black ladder back chair with a woven rush seat holding a white pitcher filled with dried hydrangeas

If you are looking for tips on how to dry hydrangeas to last all season, you have to read my friend Kelly’s post from the Tattered Pew with her secret tips!

When we lived out west, we loved to go hiking in the mountains, and I would find these tiny, rose shaped pinecones that were so unique and pretty to me.

vintage serving bowl filled with pinecones next to an armchair with blue throw blanket and pillow

vintage scales with pinecone on top next to a painted brick wall

After all these years, I still have them and love to bring them out each year!

So find a way to use what you have around you.

Here are some more ideas that are practically free:

Gather colorful leaves and press them to create your own artwork.
Display a bowlful of apples just asking to be baked into a delicious crumb pie.
Collect pinecones and display them with cinnamon sticks for that perfect fall scent.

Incorporate Textures Into Your Decor

white couch in a sunroom with textured pillows and fall decorations around

From throw blankets to pillow covers, fall is the perfect time to add cozy textures to your living space.

I have always found that texture is a simple way to make a home feel different with each season.

Pair of wingback armchairs in front of black windows decorated with minimal fall decor — Minimalist Fall Decor

For your fall living room you want to invoke that cozy vibe that makes you want to sit with your family enjoying pumpkin spice lattes!

Here are some ideas to add texture to your home for fall:

Display hats or scarfs for that cozy feeling.
Bring out your chunky knit blankets and drape them over a chair
If you have woven rugs, try layering them with other rugs

And don’t forget about how rich wood elements can make a room feel warm and welcoming.

armchair with gray pillows with vintage wooden crate as a coffee table decorated for fall

A simple idea would be to incorporate wooden trays for your coffee table or entryway table.

Or redec-arrange your room by adding a wooden side table or chest.

Swap Out Artwork for Autumn

lime slurry fireplace with neutral pottery and lanterns and fall decor — Fall Vintage Artwork Printable s

DIY artwork is my favorite way to add cheap fall decor.

Last year, I gathered some of my favorite vintage art prints that are perfect for the autumn season. Even having the artwork printed for you is a beautiful way to add quality artwork for not a lot of money!

tarnished silver pitcher filled with orange fall greenery next to amber bottles and copper elements — Free Fall Printab les

Add Affordable Fall Foliage

dining room with blue and rust colored rug with a faux olive tree in the corner

I’m all about faux florals.

They are easy to work with, last for a really long time and can easily be repurposed the next season in a new way.

Here are some arrangement ideas that are perfect for this season.

Do you struggle with floral arrangement like I do? Here are some 4 easy fall arrangements to try to bring the season inside. — 4 Easy Fall Arrangements to Try

table with stack of vintage books an old sepia photo and painted carved wooden box. — Minimalist Fall Decor

DIY Decor Ideas

I get it – when the budget is super tight or practically non-existent, you have to be creative.

Especially if you want to switch up from your typical decor you’ve used year after year.

So I like to flex my creative muscles and try some new projects for the season.

Check out these different ways to make your own home decor.

Wreaths

Looking for a Fall project to try? This Easy DIY Fall Hoop Wreath is a quick and gorgeous way to bring fall into your home. — Easy DIY Fall Hoop Wreath

Fall wreaths offer a great option to usher in this time of year.

It’s the first thing I pull out for early fall decorating.

Use an old grapevine wreath and make simple changes for a simple fall project. Plus this hack doesn’t cost a lot of money. An afternoon with old greenery and hot glue and you can have an festive focal point for your front door.

wooden screened frame with a fall wreath hanging on a wall in an eat in kitchen — Easy DIY Fall Wreath

Vases

White Painted Ceramics on a unfinished dresser with old books — DIY Textured Painted Ceramics

Faux Flowers in a terracotta vase painted with romabio lime slurry paint — DIY Lime Slurry Terracotta Vase

Lamp Makeover

textured vases next to a baking soda painted pottery lamp — Ceramic Urn Knock Off Lamp

If you have a dated lamp or want to search for one at your local thrift store, why not try an update? This lamp with deep and earthy tones is the perfect addition to create that cozy look for my favorite season.

Think outside the box with your fall decor.

See if there are any DIY projects you can tackle that could help add your personal touch to your home this season.

Knit Projects

faux yarn covered pumpkins sitting on a coffee table with books and wooden beads in front of a white couch with a blue pillow — Chunky Knit Yarn Covered Pumpkins

The moment the first drop of temps hits the air, I’m immediately searching for my favorite knit sweater!

You can add yarn DIYs or knitted elements to your home for the fall season. Or give new life to that old sweater into throw pillows for your armchair for that perfect cozy look in a budget-friendly way.

arm chair in a sunroom with a knit pillow next to faux greenery and a woven basket

If you like to knit, you could start making early Christmas gifts with these easy DIY knit coffee cozies.

lime green basketweave knit coffee cozy wrapped around a white mug

DIY Burlap Crafts

front door decorated for fall with a burlap wreath and dried cornstalks

Burlap garland can be pricey! Here's how to make your own garland at a much more affordable price! — DIY Burlap Garland

Easy Fall bunting tutorial: Looking for quick and easy decor for this fall season? Here's a DIY you can do in just minutes with this Burlap and ticking stripe bunting. — DIY Burlap Garland

Angie from Country Cottage Chic has a huge collection of burlap crafts if you are looking for more inspo!

Shopping Tips for Budget Friendly Fall Decor

As we start preparing for any shift in the seasonal decor, I first look through what I already have on hand.

This helps to make sure that I only get what I need and find the best deals for items for the season.

The most affordable option is to reuse or repurpose what you have already purchased to make it work with this year’s theme.

Make a List and Stick to It: After going through what I have, I then make a list of the items I need to buy to decorate for the season. This helps me stay on budget and not go blindly unfocused and risk busting the budget!

Look for Sales and Deals: Around Labor Day, stores start dropping prices on their fall decorations and you can score some nice discounts. You can even find some great options at your local dollar store.

Don’t Forget to Check Thrift Stores: One of the easiest ways to save money is to search for thrift store finds. Starting with each holiday season, I have found lots of fall decorating items for cheap!

Hit those Dollar Spots: Target and Walmart now have those budget friendly bins at the front of the store that has affordable seasonal decor that regularly rotates. You can even find some great options at your local dollar store.

Shop Clearance Sales at the End of the Season: Now this really takes massive planning ahead. But one thing I regularly do is purchase next year’s decor at the end of the season. That’s when everything is 50% or more off! If you aren’t sure of your color scheme, stick with generic fall colors. Or stock up on basics like fall stems or faux white pumpkins that you can customize later.

When You Have No Money to Spare or Decor

So I have to touch on this topic because we are currently facing a difficult financial situation.

And I know I’m not alone here.

What if you are completely out of options?

Then don’t despair because there are things you can still do.

For me, fall is a feeling. The crisp air, the bulky sweaters and crunching leaves under your feet.

The best way to change your home for any season is to welcome how that season makes you feel in your home.

Cooking soul-soothing soups.

Drinking apple cider or other warm drinks you love.

Lighting fall candles, or any candle for that reason!

Cozy up under a blanket with a good book.

Or simply open doors to let the crisp air in.

You get where I’m going. Creating a space that can evoke the feeling of fall is all you really need.

Just remember, it’s your home to create whatever space and emotion you want!

I hope these simple ways to incorporate Budget Friendly Fall Decor Ideas inspire you to create a cozy home you love! If you have some tried and true tricks that you’ve used over the years, be sure to leave a comment below! We’d love to hear your ideas!

Budget Friendly Fall Decor Ideas for a Cozy Home