Cheap Fall Decorating Ideas

Maura White
by Maura White

In just a few short weeks, we’ll be packing up our summer fun and getting ready for fall! I love decorating for each of the seasons, but fall is a close second behind Christmas in terms of favorite seasons. With pumpkins, acorns, pine cones, and the bright pops of orange and yellow leaves, there are so many possibilities! If you are on a tight budget, decorating for fall can be pretty tricky. Here are a few tips to help you create these cheap fall decorating ideas. Each of these is an easy idea that won’t take too much time and can be used for the next couple years, if not longer!

decorate for fall on a budget

Simple Ways To Create Cheap Fall Decorating Ideas is to Use What You Have!


If you are looking to spend $0, using what you have and incorporating natural elements is how you do it! You can also repurpose items you already have at home, or reuse items from last year, to decorate your inexpensive fall paradise!


One item you can make for your living room, hallway, or bathroom is this DIY driftwood mirror. I got my driftwood from the beach of a local lake. If you want to add some fall colors to it, add some real or faux fall leaves and maybe some cinnamon sticks to make it more seasonal. Then when Christmas rolls around, replace the faux leaves with some faux poinsettias so you can continue using your mirror during the changing of the seasons.


Another free way to grab this free printable “Today We Are Thankful For” and put it in a frame you already have on hand! Or grab any of these inspirational quote printables for just $2 each! Then you can add this to a fireplace mantel along with some faux pumpkins (I personally love white pumpkins!) and white distressed candleholders (You can purchase these at Hobby Lobby or Amazon for cheap!). Or maybe you have an old candle holder that you could use chalk paint on to get a similar look. Use a new pillar candle with a season scent like a cinnamon stick candle.


Have any grapevines in your yard? Check out how I used some from my woods and make my own fall DIY grapevine wreath. Make one of these and it’s the perfect way to decorate the front door.


You can Create More Cheap Fall Decor Ideas By Shopping at the Dollar Store


Dollar Tree has excellent fall decorations that will only cost you a single dollar! From fake pumpkins to signs, and even table centerpiece ideas, you can complete your whole fall home decor from the Dollar Tree! If you have a Dollar General or Family Dollar nearby, be sure to check there too. You can sometimes find great deals on fall season outdoor decor and other items for just a few dollars.


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decorate for fall on a budget

Don’t be Afraid to Use Real Fall Items you Find Outside For Your DIY Project!


Pinecones, leaves, and even pumpkins are excellent fall decor, but you don’t have to get fake ones if you don’t have the money. Get a few small pumpkins for your front porch or mantel, and use seasonal produce such as apples or squash to decorate the table. If you have pine trees near you, pick up pinecones all around your home during the fall months, which you can spray paint different colors (like white or metallic gold) to make beautiful centerpieces. See how I used pinecones just to fill a vase in this fall centerpiece idea.


Shop Seasonal Sales


After a season has ended, you can guarantee they are going to be discounting their seasonal items heavily. With fall, this is going to be even more of a steal! As Christmas starts to come around, you can expect the fall decor to begin being clearanced early! Stores will be anxious to get their fall decor out to make room for more Christmas items. Shopping season sales is also one of my favorite reasons for shopping for Christmas or birthday gifts all year round! (That is part of my FREE 20 day Budget Bootcamp you can sign up for here!)


decorate for fall on a budget

Save Money By Not Buying What You Can Make Yourself


There are so many great craft projects for fall that can be done for less than $10 but will have a significant impact on your home. Buy Dollar Tree pumpkins and repaint them to give them a fresh new look. Check out how I did that and made glitter dollar store pumpkins in three different styles. Instead of buying a new fall wreath, make your own (remember the beautiful fall wreath grapevine wreath I mentioned above?) The framed fall tree was made using a black tree silhouette and using a 1″ or 1/2″ to punch circles out of fall-themed scrapbook paper I found at a yard sale. The frame cost me $0.25 at one of my local thrift stores!


Making your own will typically cost you way less than the storebought version! I love going to craft stores and getting an amazing idea of what I can just go home and make myself for much cheaper! Just make sure you compare the prices before you spend your time and money on craft supplies that you may not already have.

decorate for fall on a budget

Buy staple pieces that you can use every single year


Instead of trying to keep up with the latest trends every year, consider buying a few great staple pieces that can be reused every single year. A simple pumpkin might need a fresh coat of paint, but you know you’ll want to reuse it for at least a few years. That’s why I love no carve pumpkin ideas! These are easy fall crafts that you can use year after year (especially if you decorate a fake pumpkin.)


DIY fall decorations don’t have to be expensive. If you follow these tips, you can easily decorate your home for fall on a budget.

Glass Pumpkin 6 1

I found a clear glass pumpkin at a local thrift store and used white spray paint on it. Now I can use it year after year for my dining room table surrounded by colorful leaves as our fall centerpiece.


I know I’ve mentioned thrift stores as a way to get cheap crafting supplies – but they really can be a great place to find fabric to make fabric pumpkins, fake flowers, leftover yarn, burlap ribbon, or other craft supplies that that turn into a great idea for a fall decoration that you can use the following year as well!

9 Square Fall Water Pitcher 977x1024

The wood base of this fall sign I made is an old CD holder that I got for $0.75 at my local thrift store. Then I got some moss at the dollar store and the letters and Michaels ($1 each) and made this adorable easy fall decor item for less than $10!


I hope taking a look at all of these amazing fall decor projects will inspire you to take the time to make some yourself as well. No need to spend full price for fall decorations when you can do a little hunting and create your own unique items that can last for years to come!

decorate for fall on a budget
Maura White
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 2 comments
  • Smartcookie89122 Smartcookie89122 on Nov 17, 2022

    LOVE THAT CLEAR GLASS PUMPKIN PAINTED WHITE!


    CANT WAIT TO FIND ONE AT A THRIFT STORE!!!

  • Patsy Patsy on Nov 18, 2022

    I love these type of articles. U clever , artistic people really do help us non clever artistic people see not only how easy these things are to do. They also let us see where to get it, how to do it and realize it’s not that hard to think up some on ur own.

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