As the landscape outside our windows takes on a golden hue, this is the perfect time to refresh our decor to reflect the new season. But it doesn’t have to be complicated and time consuming! Read these five-minute indoor fall decor tips from Vanessa Hunt to help you welcome fall into your home with minimal effort.
When I was a little girl, a good portion of my world centered around one of the greatest television shows ever created: “Little House on the Prairie.” Every afternoon at 4 p.m., my mom, older sister, and I would gather in the family room. We would switch on our faux wood paneled tv (by hand, mind you, since there was no remote control). And we would immerse ourselves in the goings on of the tiny town of Walnut Grove.
But, we didn’t just watch the show. So much of my playtime was spent recreating stories from this series. My grandmother even made dresses for my sister and I that were replicas of the ones worn by Mary and Laura Ingalls. We had the matching bonnets, drawstring purses and—wait for it—the ruffled night caps, too.
One of us would stand at the light switch in our bedroom poised to turn it off at the exact moment the other one ‘blew out’ the candle so we could truly feel like we were being tucked into our loft bed in the tiny log cabin on Plum Creek. And, yes, we did read the entire book series as well. In fact, many a bedtime was spent poring over the stories that were never captured in the television show.
The Beauty of Home
In the episode entitled “A Harvest of Friends,” Laura Ingalls utters one of my favorite lines ever spoken or written in any series.
“Home is the nicest word there is.”
As we say goodbye to summer and spend more time indoors, I truly believe that this phrase takes on even more meaning. Even though fall can still be a very busy time of the year, we find ourselves needing home to be the place where we rest and refuel. And, as the landscape outside our windows takes on a golden hue, this is the perfect time to refresh our decor to reflect the new season. If you focus your time and energy on just a few areas and spend only a few minutes of time on each one, you’ll soon be ready to welcome fall to your home.
The shorter days and cooler weather often encourages us to spend more time indoors, which is why it’s so important that our homes feel like a warm embrace to everyone who crosses our threshold.
indoor fall decor ideas
FRONT PORCH
Whether you have a wraparound porch or one simple step, the entry to your home should never be neglected. Decorating the entrance to your home is like giving someone a smile to let them know you are friendly and welcoming.
In only five minutes, you can hang a seasonal wreath on your front door. You can place some potted mums on either side. And you can stack a few pumpkins around when they arrive at your favorite local store. If you’re not a fan of the traditional wreath, in the same amount of time you could take a hanging basket and stuff it with fall foliage, either real or faux. Tie a gingham bow on it to add a little something extra or leave it plain for a simpler look.
ENTRY TABLE
My magic formula for decorating an entry table is very simple. All you need is a lamp, some kind of vessel for flowers or a plant (on the opposite end of the lamp), and then a stack of books upon which you can place a candle or some other kind of decorative item.
In five minutes, you can switch out your summer flowers for fall branches or a bundle of wheat. Consider putting it in something with more rustic tones like a copper vase or pitcher. Copper and fall are a magic combination. On top of your stack of books, a bowl filled with acorns or cinnamon sticks adds texture and immediately lets everyone know that fall has arrived.
DINING TABLE
Whether it’s a table you use every day or one reserved for special occasions, my advice for centerpieces is to keep them simple and functional. This way you don’t have to move them every time you gather together for a meal.
A tray placed in the center of the table can be kept there year-round and easily changed up with seasonal decor inside. Add a low vase or jar (you want to be able to see each other!) filled with dried hydrangeas. Place a candle, which serves the dual purpose of scenting the room and filling the space. And add another decorative item like a small plaque or a string of wood beads. This is all you need to add a nod to the season—and it can all be done in five minutes or less.
FIREPLACE MANTEL
Decorating a mantel can feel intimidating. But, a simple trick to follow is what I refer to as the “high/low/high rule.” For fall, I use this formula to create a simple display in under five minutes. On one end of my mantel, I place a tall candlestick or two. (Use flickering battery operated candles on a timer set to come on in the evening.) Next to that, I will place something shorter like a stack of books or a small framed print in fall colors.
Leaving some open space in the middle keeps it from feeling too cluttered. And then I will add another taller item to the other end of the mantel like an urn or a pitcher filled with fall branches. At this point you can leave it as is for a streamlined effect. Or to add a bit more pizazz you can place a pumpkin or two on either end. And voila—you’re all done in under five minutes.
KITCHEN
While the kitchen definitely needs to be functional, adding seasonal touches brings warmth to this much-used space. By choosing only a couple of spots to add fall decor, you can minimize clutter and save yourself a lot of time and energy. One area of focus in my kitchen is near the sink. Having something pretty to look at while washing dishes makes that chore just a bit less laborious.
A pot of mums or a pitcher filled with wheat stalks hints at the fall season without dominating the space. Add a tall, pedestal tray (these take up less space on your counter). Or add a bowl filled with miniature pumpkins or pinecones on your countertop. This will add in a bit more texture—and is easy to switch out for the changing season. All of this can be done in five minutes or less!
the beauty of indoor fall decor
The shorter days and cooler weather often encourages us to spend more time indoors. This is why it’s so important that our indoor fall decor makes our home feel like a warm embrace to everyone who crosses our threshold. While the term “homemaker” can seem outdated in our current culture, I’ve always embraced it. I truly believe the Lord placed a call on my life to be the maker of a home. Consequently, the highest compliment I could ever receive would be for those who are within these walls this fall season to say, like Laura Ingalls, “home is the nicest word there is.”
Do you have any five minute indoor fall decor tips to add to Vanessa’s list? Share with us in the comments!
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1 comment
I love your memories of all things ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ And I will try some of your lovely suggestions for Fall decor. Since it’s in the mid 90’s in Florida, I must just imagine fall.
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