How to decorate for fall without pumpkins: 6 expert tricks

Jul 14, 2023

6 ways to infuse your home with fall motifs without reverting to the obvious decorations

Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox.

Thank you for signing up to Homes & Gardens. You will receive a verification email shortly.

There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.

Is it possible to decorate for fall without pumpkins? While pumpkins have long been a staple of the season, there are plenty of inventive ways to adorn your home with the warmth and richness of the season without them.

Finding elegant alternatives to pumpkins is all about incorporating subtler seasonal motifs, from creating displays with fall decor, to finding vibrant and muted fall color schemes.

If you are struggling for inspiration for how to decorate for fall without pumpkin ornaments or just want some pumpkin-free fall inspo, you've come to the right place. Our experts have provided their top recommendations, while avoiding the obvious.

There are plenty of exciting fall trends that don't include pumpkins, all of which can be customized to your personal preferences. These captivating ideas can also be longer lasting options that will elevate your home year-round.

Choosing cozy fabrics in rich colors is the perfect way to counteract the cold and dark of outside, instead creating an bold and inviting space.

Interior designer Jane Thompson suggests, 'Incorporate fall's warm color palette into your decor. Instead of pumpkins, opt for a range of deep oranges, richburgundies, and earthy browns'.

Colors such as rust, forest green, mustard yellow, and deep red can also be particularly impactful.

Jane continues, 'These hues can be integrated into throw pillows, area rugs, and drapery. Consider layering different textures, such as wool, faux fur, and knits, to evoke a sense of warmth and comfort reminiscent of fall.'

An easy way to begin can be by swapping out smaller items for those with cozy fall textiles. 'One way to incorporate fall into your home is re-doing your throw pillow covers with a new color palette,' says interior designer Brooke Spreckman. 'If you have lighter tones, try swapping all of them out with a richer palette of fabrics.'

If you are looking to invest in fall-inspired furniture, consider a vibrant sofa or armchair with fall tones such as burgundy, burnt orange, forest green, and mustard. You can then decide how to decorate the rest of your space around this statement piece. We've listed some of our top fall picks below.

Was $898, now $628.60

Made from reclaimed teak wood and velvet upholstery, this chair nods to mid-century design whilst uplifting the home with its pop of bold color.

$88.00

For ultimate warmth this fall, this pillow is guaranteed to bring the cozy-factor to either the bedroom or living room. Its neutral color means it pairs well with lots of design styles.

$798.00

Designed with velvet upholstery, this chair promotes the ultimate cozy and comfortable feel. Whilst it comes in a range of colors, this 'gold' shade is perfect for fall.

While many fall displays are often packed with pumpkin decor, there are numerous gorgeous alternatives that can be used to create a stunning centerpiece for a dining table, on a mantelpiece or dresser, or for styling a coffee table for fall. As far as finding a low cost and highly personalized way to decorate for fall, this is easily one of our favorite fall decor ideas without pumpkins.

For fall table decor ideas, why not create a dining table setup with fall-inspired napkins, dishes and a seasonal garland?

One easy way to create a contained display is by doing so on a tray. Use trays that ooze the fall aesthetic, such as those in dark wood, and create a purposeful display with seasonal foliage and finds. This can even include scattering a few pine cone decorations and acorns around.

Candles and candle holders are a great decoration that can be used as the focus of a fall centerpiece, or just as a smaller display item. You can even make a candelabra centerpiece by incorporating flowers, wheat and berries. This is also a great way to make your house smell like fall.

You can use natural elements to create a display by filling a vase with fall flowers or decorate with dried flowers. You can also fill decorative bowls with fall elements such as berries, pinecones or potpourri.

Below are some of our favorite decorative fall items to inspire you.

$20.00

These fall colored selection of candlesticks are a fun way to display candles on your coffee table. Why not get a range of colors, shapes and sizes to create some depth?

$72

These wooden trays in different shapes and colors are the perfect choice to use on any coffee table, whether it is the base of a neatly organized fall display or to hold your fall-themed mugs.

$16.00

This beautiful harvest bouquet is an easy way to introduce fall colors to your coffee table display.

$58.00 – $168.00

This glass cloche with distressed wood pedestal base can be an interesting central display piece on your coffee table, and give you some creative freedom if you want to fill it with more fall decorations, as seen in the image.

Was $34 - $69, now $28.90 - $58.65

If you're wondering how to display your dried flowers, these vases are the perfect solution that incorporate all the best fall patterns and colors.

$48.00

Add a fun fall decoration to your coffee table with these velvet mushrooms. They come in white, as well as a range of colors including red and green to suit your fall color schemes.

Fall is synonymous with beautifully colored leaves, twigs, berries, ferns, pine cones and so much more, and all of which can become beautiful seasonal decorations that don't feature pumpkins.

Tess Twiehaus, interior designer at Tess Interiors says, 'My favorite thing about fall is watching the leaves change, bringing those rich shades of gold and auburn indoors by gathering branches from your very own neighborhood and putting them on display. Bonus points for a branch that's extra large and brings a sculptural element to your decor.'

You can choose natural elements to decorate with that reflect your color scheme choices, or use options that work to contrast your decor. For example, bright colored leaf arrangements can serve as captivating focal point in a room with an otherwise muted room color scheme.

'Alternatively, in a room already packed with fall colors, you could opt for an arrangement of dried flowers and bare branches, maintaining a sophisticated, fall aesthetic.'

'Utilize autumnal foliage like dried leaves, branches, and wheat stalks,' advises James Harrison, interior designer at Architecture Ideas. 'Create elegant preparations in vases or wreaths to infuse your home with a hint of fall without conventional pumpkin decor.'

$88

This real touch spruce garland has lush holiday greens and pine cones that bring the feeling of nature to tablescapes and mantel centerpieces.

$38.55

Hang this fall wreath on your door or above your mantel, and let the natural, fragrant greens fill your home with the delightful aroma of nature.

$14.55

The deep, rich purple hue with burgundy tones of these dried flowers is perfect for creating a moody look for fall.

One of the best and most understated ways to seamlessly integrate fall motifs into your home without pumpkins is by decorating with rustic elements, creating a farmhouse-inspired aesthetic that is very on-trend this season.

This can be done in any room in the house, and in so many different ways, from finding antique or distressed wood furniture, using rustic linen for bedding, finding natural materials like woven placemats for dining, to openly displaying copper pots, and more. This is an effective way to create a charming and cozy atmosphere.

Was $14.40, now $18

Investing in a good set of napkins is a must for hosting dinner parties. I love the understated and natural feel of these ones, made from 100% linen and with elevated fringe detailing.

Was $195, now $175.50

Crafted from ash wood, this stool features sculptural detailing which gives it a vintage look. A practical addition to the bathroom, this is the ideal furniture piece to upgrade your bathroom with this fall.

Was $60, now $45

Made from a mix of aged bronze and mango wood, this practical and stylish serving set is an essential that is guaranteed to add elegance to the dining table this fall.

'Nothing says fall like the warm glow of candles and lanterns.' says Jacky Chou, Principal and Director at Archute. 'They create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing or entertaining. You can use candles and lanterns of different sizes, shapes, colors, and scents to suit your mood and style.'

As well as being beautiful decorative items, the best candles, lanterns and string lights can create a cozy hue that is unmatched by any other decoration and is one of the most effective ways to create an fall atmosphere.

Jacky continues, 'You can also use them to accentuate other decor elements like wreaths, garlands, or mantels. For example, you could place some pillar candles in a metal tray with some pine cones and nuts or hang some lanterns from your porch or balcony.'

'The holidays are about being warm and cozy. This year, we are using muted versions of the traditional holiday colors instead of bright colors and patterns,' says Jennifer Verruto, Founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors. 'Opt for a neutral palette with selective small pops of color and subtle textures – this allows your seasonal decor to easily blend in with your existing pieces, making your space feel more cohesive and thoughtfully curated.'

We have a guide on the best fall living room colors and the best fall bedroom colors to inspire your color choices.

When it comes to decor items that aren't pumpkins, Jennifer Verruto suggests: 'Incorporate decor with longevity. You'll save time, space, and money by investing in decor that isn't just for a specific holiday, but rather that can last you from fall through winter and even into the new year!

'For example, ditch that bright orange vase for a simple gold one instead. Something neutral, yet festive like gold, can easily be updated to reflect a specific season or mood. For fall, throw in some gorgeous, dried florals and then swap them out for something more wintery like holly leaves when the time arrives.'

Was $78, now $62.40

These pillow are the perfect addition to the bedroom to create a cozy space. Made from 100% cotton, they have a soft textural feel and this chocolate color is the ultimate fall-inspired neutral.

Was $298, now $238.40

Opting for a textured quilt is a stylish way to add warmth to your bedding whilst also creating a layering effect. The soft floral print on this one adds elegance and character whilst its colors remain paired back.

Was $98.00, now $78.40

To bring a subtle nod to print into the bedroom, this pillow cover features a rust-colored plaid motif which adds interest to the room whilst remaining understated in true Studio McGee style.

Draping a fall garland over a mirror, doorframe, mantelpiece or around a bed frame is one of the easiest ways to decorate for fall without pumpkins. Opt for a garland with fall colors and accents to create an eye-catching display.

Interior designer Brooke Spreckman suggests a final way you can decorate your home for fall without using pumpkins: 'One way to prepare for the fall is to start collecting vases and larger accessories that add warmth to a space. A new large vase that you can style with fall florals can add a statement to any room! Rather than using the same simple glass vases used throughout the year, make it a point to shop for a few new pieces that have that fall warmth.'

Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox.

Lola Houlton is a news writer for Homes & Gardens. She has been writing content for Future PLC for the past five years, in particular Homes & Gardens, Real Homes and GardeningEtc. She writes on a broad range of subjects, including recipe articles, reviewing products, writing ‘how to’ and ‘when to’ articles. Lola now writes about everything from organization through to house plants. Lola is a graduate student, who completed her degree in Psychology at the University of Sussex. She has also spent some time working at the BBC.

Could we find the solution to our painting woes in our kitchen cabinet? Jonathan and Drew Scott suggest so

By Megan SlackPublished 31 August 23

There are three times of year to cut back shasta daisies – and all are worthwhile, for different reasons

By Holly CrossleyPublished 31 August 23