How to Decorate Your Porch for Fall

Why is it important to decorate your porch for fall or for any season?

I believe your entryway should welcome you home and make you happy every time you walk up those steps! It’s why I make changes every season. Because it’s always about the little things. . . a few pansies, a new door mat and maybe even a recipe for an apple crumble.

Here are a few things you can do to bring a little fall to your porch or outdoor spaces

• Add fall plantings like hardy mums and pansies
• Add a new door mat or rug
• Update lighting and door hardware 

There’s no denying that fall has arrived in New England. The leaves are starting to turn, and while we are weeks away from the peak color season, it felt like time to decorate the outdoors. I generally do it a little too early, and the pumpkins don’t last until Halloween. This year I was a little more patient. I bought most of the pumpkins at Trader Joe’s. They have a great selection at the best price. I found the black pansies at Terrain and the small evergreens I’ll use during the holidays. And by that, I mean November 1st. The thing about decorating even at the end of September with mums and pumpkins…I’m ready to move on once Halloween is over. Does anyone else, or do you wait until after Thanksgiving?  

Galvanized Planters

The ribbed galvanized metal planters are from Rejuvenation. I get a lot of questions asking if they have drainage holes. They do not. I use liners inside planters so that when I water the pants, the water drains inside the planter and not on the porch. If I had these planters on the pea gravel by the side door all the time…then yes, I could add a drainage hole, and it would drain into the pea gravel. But I move these planters around and will eventually use them all on the porch again. I use bricks, upside-down bowls, and all sorts of things to give the liner a little height inside the planter. 

Emtek Door Hardware in Matte Black

We used Emtek throughout our house for door hardware, kitchen, and bathrooms. It is available at most building supply stores, and they have a dealer search on their website. We love Emtek for its quality, style, and affordability. The dip-dyed stool was a last-minute addition. I have the stools from Serena & Lily all over the house. We use them in bathrooms, bedrooms next to a chair as a small side table, or to hold a plant. They are perfect for holding your cup of coffee…or a stack of pumpkins.

Don’t forget to add a little decor to the side door

When we first bought this house, the side area along the driveway was in terrible shape. It’s actually the exterior door to the basement. I saw it as an opportunity to make it look like a welcoming entryway. The first thing we did was clear the weeds and put down pea gravel. We painted the small cement pad using Sherwin Williams Porch & Floor Enamel. The Industrial Guard Sconce is from Barn Light Electric. We add seasonal plants to make it a focal point as you pull into the driveway. Every time I see it, it brings me joy! Isn’t that how you want to feel when you pull into the driveway?

You’ll want to make this apple crumble!

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Our New Canaan porch

You might like this post or this one that shows our New Canaan front porch in the fall.

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