OUTDOOR FALL DECORATING IDEAS

Ready to decorate the outside of our homes for fall? Today I’m sharing tons of easy, pretty and oh, so fabulous outdoor fall decorating ideas! Let’s start with a fall outdoor wreath on our front door and add a little more!
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Fall is by far my favorite time of year. Maybe it’s because Fall in Lancaster County is so beautiful or maybe it’s because our home simply shines in the fall or maybe it’s because I love the cool crisp weather and football!
OR maybe it’s because I love to decorate with fall elements!
Today I’m sharing one of the reasons I love fall by showing off lots of fun ideas, tips, and fall decorating ideas for outside!

Every year I get so excited to decorate StoneGable and now Tanglewood’s outdoor spaces for fall! And every year I decorate them just a little bit differently!
After decades of decorating my porch and doors, I’ve learned lots of ways to make our outdoor spaces fall ready. Here are a few ideas for fall outdoor decorating!
GO FAUX!

I love real pumpkins, but sometimes you may not be able to get pumpkins early enough in your neck of the woods to start decorating! I have a great stash of faux pumpkins I use until I can replace them with the real deal!
- curate a collection of great faux pumpkins to decorate with early and late in the season
- add a big faux pumpkin next to your front door
- use faux pumpkins on front door wreaths
- mix real and faux for a showy mix
USE A TARTAN OR FABULOUS THROW
One of the most asked questions I get this time of year is about the beautiful tartan throw above.
It is our family Tartan. We are part of the Buchanan clan and this is the Ancient Buchanan Tartan. Perfect for fall! Our tartans are wool and wear like iron… and are nice and warm. We have several and use them outdoors when the weather gets chilly.
You can see our Antique Buchanan Wool HERE.
Add a little color, texture, and beauty by tucking a throw you love into your outdoor fall decor!
- hang a tartan blanket over a front porch banister as a backdrop to a pretty fall planter
- drape a tartan blanket over a porch rocker or swing
- put tartan blankets in a basket and bring it out when entertaining outside
- use a tartan blanket as a tablecloth for a pretty fall table
HANG LANTERNS
One of the prettiest ways to add a little bit of magic to your outdoor fall decor is to use lanterns. I have them hanging on the front and back porch!
Use luminary candles on timers so you don’t have to worry about the flame or if you blew them out!
HANG GARLAND
There are so many very pretty garlands on the market and one is probably perfect for framing your front door! How pretty is this?
And here’s the secret for the easiest fall wreath ever… use a fall garland and wrap it around a big grapevine wreath. Instant fall wreath!
FILL POTS AND URNS AND CONTAINERS WITH FALL LOVING PLANTS

Fill fall pots with plants that love cool weather and have long blooming lives. Mix color and texture and sizes for the prettiest pots! Don’t forget to water them and pinch spent blooms to keep them looking their best!
I like mums, flowering cabbage and kale, pansies, creeping Jennie, lantana, and ornamental pepper plants to name a few. Check your local nurseries to see what blooms best in your areas.
TUCK PUMPKINS INTO PLANTINGS
One of my favorite things to do in my outdoor my fall urns is to tuck pumpkins and gourds into the pot among the plants! As some of the plants become spent I replace them with bigger pumpkins.
INCLUDE PINECONES
Don’t forget to use pinecones! They are not just for Christmas. They are wonderful filler for the fall too!
FLOAT PUMPKINS IN A BIRD BATH
How adorable is this idea? Every time I see these bobbing little pumpkins on my back porch, they make me smile!
If you don’t have a birdbath how about a big galvanized tub? And I have floating candles that look amazing floating with them at night!
CREATE A PRETTY VIGNETTE

Group fall elements together to create a pretty fall vignette!
I painted my great grandmother’s chair black, covered it with my favorite tartan, stacks some amazing local pumpkins on it and surrounded it with pots of fall blooms. How easy! And this little vignette became the focal point of my front porch!
SEE THIS PRETTY PLAID THROW HERE.
PUT A FALL ARRANGEMENT IN A GALVANIZED TUB OR BASKET
Don’t you love arrangements in baskets and galvanized tubs? I have a secret to share… fill the bottom with pinecones and just decorate the top!
You can also use newspaper or plastic grocery bags, but once you try pinecones you will never use anything else! Who knew?
USE RISERS OR LITTLE BENCHES TO VARY HEIGHTS
This little bench was the perfect size for a trio of Jack-be-little pumpkins to perch on! It usually sits on my mantel, but came outside to play a part in a fall vignette on my side porch! Bring things you would usually use inside outdoors!
HANG A FALL WREATH
Nothing welcomes fall and guests to your home like a gorgeous wreath! Why not make a fabulous fall wreath this year. How about making this BITTERSWEET WREATH? It’s easy and a great fall welcome!
And here is 7 FABULOUS FALL OUTDOOR WREATH. Take a little look at one of the pretty wreaths you can make! And it’s so easy!!!!!

ADD FALL OUTDOOR PILLOWS
Create a fall room by adding pillows!
There are so many fabulous fall pillows out there. Look for a post later this week for my favorite fall outdoor pillows!
Wow!
I hope you have lots of outdoor fall decorating ideas and are inspired to create beautiful fall outdoor spaces this year!
Do you have a tip for decorating outdoor spaces this fall? Please share!


Buchanan, as in President Buchanan of Lancaster County? I remember visiting Wheatland on an elementary school class trip. I’m a Chester County native. Your fall decorating is beautiful!
Thanks, Susan. I think the Buchanan tartan was created well before President Buchanan. However, he probably descended from that Scottish clan. I spent my high school years in Chester co. We are neighbors!
I just love your tartan plaid throw but doesn’t it fade from the sun when you have it outside?
Hi Carol, I don’t keep it out in the sun. It’s under a porch and does get a little bit if sunshine but not enough to fade it. I think full sun would definitely fade almost any blanket if it is kept out long enough.
We are growing some heirloom pumpkins and gourds this year and I can’t wait to see what the final product looks like and do some outside decorating with them. Also picked up a cute plaid blanket to use on the porch as you suggested. Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend,then bring on the fall decor.
Oh I love growing pumpkins and gourds. When we had a compost pile the seeds from the pumpkins grew out of it the following year. We always had a good supply of pumpkins. There is something so special and satisfying about growing your own! How fun!
I’m studying your pics for balance and texture. I sooooo want to change my vignettes to Autumn ( I never hold out to Equinox). I have pulled out obvious summer decor like watermelon napkins and replaced w neutrals. But i’m looking forward to implementing your and my ideas soon.
That ‘P’ monogram on you front door sidelight. Where can I get one?
Thanks!
Hi Mildred,
The “P” is a frosted REVERSE transfer. I think anyone with a Cricut machine or an etsy shop can make you one.
You never stop taking my breath away, with all your outstanding ideas. Thank you!
How sweet Ivory! Thanks!
Fall is my favorite season.Your exterior looks beautiful with all the colors.
THANKS, Doreen! I love those rich fall colors when decorating outdoors.
Faux is such a good idea since I am pretty sure it will still be 100+ degrees September 1st when I plan on breaking out Fall Decor!! I am hoping Mother Nature gets the hint. ❤️
FAUX IS GOOD right now, Chris! I so agree! And if you collect a nice little stash of faux fall elements from year to year you have fall ready to display
Floating pumpkins in a birdbath is such cute idea. I’m going to bring mine from the back garden to my front porch so I can see it more often. And, full it with tiny pumpkins. I know I can come to Stonegable for good ideas.
Hi Joanna, that’s just what we did one fall. I think I’ll put the birdbath near our front door this year.
Cozy and inviting porch ideas! I will be tucking pumpkins in my floral arrangements this year!
Thank for the tips and tricks.
Happy Fall!
Hugs,
Kippi
Thank you so much for all the Fall front door ideas.
I love your front porch Fall decor! Would you mind sharing with me the type of paint and the name of the color you used on the chair in the first picture in the post. It appears to have a metallic tint. Did you use the same paint/color on the rocker also?
I painted that chair over a decade ago. I think I used black spray paint. Sorry I can’t help more
Your beautiful and festive outdoor Fall spaces remind me to finish my porch, as well. Especially like your idea to tuck pinecones and pumpkins in plants, which is perfect for those still lush and green. Time to sit outside with a warm blanket and hot drink, while enjoying the beauty of His creation. Ps 19. Have a lovely day.
Beautiful decorating ideas!