Indoor Fall Decor: Five-Minute Fall Decorating in Five Areas of Your Home

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!