Welcome your guests with a few simple ideas to create a beautiful fall entryway. An entryway that will welcome trick-or-treaters on Halloween and take you through Thanksgiving with a bit of help and inspiration from my favorite store, Terrain.
Today, as I do every Sunday, I join my friends Cindy and Mary Ann (Happy Birthday, Mary Ann) to share our favorite finds of the week. This Sunday, it’s all about creating a warm and welcoming entryway for fall and Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving will be here before we know it!
Speaking of Thanksgiving, can you believe it’s in seven weeks? The front door is always the place I like to start when planning our Thanksgiving. We have hosted so many Thanksgivings over the years, and I would say it’s the one thing that I meticulously prepare for with lots of notes ahead of time.
I am not a huge planner for the most part, but when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving, I am so organized that I thought I would share my tips with my MLT readers. The lists, the plans, and the ideas have all been tested over the years, and I have put it all into an e-book that I will send out to my email subscribers on November 1st.
So whether you are hosting your first Thanksgiving, tenth, or 25th Thanksgiving, I have all the ideas in one place. You can also add your own notes too. It will be easy to print out (no photos to use up all your ink), and lists with little boxes so that you can check it off as you go! If boxes being checked off is your thing! It is mine! So make sure to subscribe to MOST LOVELY THINGS in order to receive your “Complete Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving.”
Let’s Start with Decorating the Front Door to Welcome Your Guests
1. Tall Planters
Every year, I create something different depending on what I have and what’s available. One year, I had boxwood topiaries in tall pots, and all I did was add a layer of sugar pumpkins at the planter’s base. By now, the ferns are done from summer, and I needed something for my tall planters.
Knowing that the day after Thanksgiving, I would want to decorate for Christmas, I opted for simple white pumpkins resting on faux cedar garland in a creamy white like the pumpkins. It adds a bit of texture in the same color.
2. Adding a Fall Wreath
Terrain has beautiful fall wreaths in every natural color variation. I chose the Preserved Maple + Ammobium wreath. I could have used frayed ribbon made from canvas, but I couldn’t resist splurging on this gorgeous antique frayed ribbon in chocolate brown.
I hang it using a small nail at the top of the door. I know some people frown on pounding extra nails into their doors and walls, but I figure that’s why they invented wood patch! (at least that’s what I tell my husband)!
You could easily make your own DIY fall wreath, starting with a grapevine wreath and adding some preserved leaves, berries, and pinecones. I also love this metal leaf or mushroom and leaf garland that you could weave into a simple grapevine wreath.
3. Create Coziness with Lights and Lanterns
Brass Lanterns
Front door decor always includes some lighting to create that warm entrance. The glow of candles in brass lanterns is a must for fall decor. I use a mix of sizes and shapes both on the table and tucked into the planters and pumpkins on the porch at the front entry.
Stargazer Lights
These Stargazer Lights are hung above the door with two small nails. (I know, I know…more nail holes. )They come with a remote control so that you can easily turn them on and off. The control also has dimmer options, which I Love!
4. Using Plants from Summer and Mixing in Some Fall Elements
It doesn’t mean you must eliminate all your summer plants because it’s fall. I used grasses, a boxwood, and some Dusty Miller from summer. I added some miniature cabbage and kale to the existing planters for autumnal hues.
5. Freshen Up Your Entry with a New Welcome Mat
Seeing this gorgeous Ginkgo mat, I couldn’t resist getting a new doormat. Fall foliage starts turning in October in the Northeast, but it’s not until November that Ginkgo leaves turn golden.
A new mat is like a warm welcome to your cozy and inviting home in the changing seasons!
Let’s go see what the birthday girl and Cindy found this week!
Classic Casual Home
Cindy Hattersley Design
Thanks for reading: Create a Beautiful Fall Entryway– Sign up to receive updates from MLT and for the “Complete Guide to Hosting Thanksgiving” that will land in your inbox on November 1st! If you are already subscriber, no need to do anything!
Hi Annie,
It all looks so beautiful thank you for the visual wonder. Have a lovely week 🙂
Annie! I love all your ideas. Your porch always looks for fun and festive. Never more so than for the fall holidays. Thanks for the inspiration … I’m going to get after it this week. xo
Well, that was a lot of fun. BEAUtiful front porch. Love that ribbon. And thanks for the birthday wishes and the delicious croissants!!!
Annie I love all these ideas! That wreath from Terrain is gorgeous. I was so tempted to buy one this year!! What a great idea to share a Thanksgiving Planner! We usually have about 25 people,