Easy Summer to Fall Outdoor Decor Ideas
As the end of summer approaches, I always find myself thinking about how I can smoothly transition into fall decor. In the northeast, warmer weather can continue into October so I prefer a more subtle approach to outdoor decor. Here are my tried and true summer to fall outdoor decor ideas.
Designing and accessorizing your home is never an all or nothing concept for me. A blend of old and new with a gradual shift allows us to acclimate to the coming season. Working with pieces you already have as a foundation for your decor makes the transition much more enjoyable. After all, design and decoration for your home should be a joyful experience not a dreaded duty.
Front Porch ideas
Summer to Fall Outdoor Decor Idea Basics
The Front Door
Your front door really is the window to your home. In my blog “8 Great Colors to Paint your Front Door” I wrote about the importance the front door gives to the whole of the home. Same thing can be said of the decor you use to welcome visitors. Changing the welcome door mat is a quick an easy décor update as is adding a wreath with apples and other seasonal decorations.
Porch & Front Stair Display
I love to use hurricane lanterns for a front porch. Use flameless candles to take away any potential for fire hazard. Many are available with a 12 hour timer or operational by remote control. Next, you can add a holiday ribbon or decoration on the lantern to match the season. This makes updating your outdoor decor for each season a breeze.
Lanterns with flameless candles
If you have planters on the steps or by the door, changing out the summer blooms to a fall plant, like ornamental kale or millet, adds such a beautiful color and is perfect for providing fall food for birds as other sources are depleted. Plants like ornamental kale look lovely right into the winter months.
Planters with Kale and mums
Adding a hay bale with fall decorations is a tried and true staple which will last from apple season right through Halloween and into Thanksgiving. Once the season is over, you can spread the hay on any backyard garden area. Hay is also great for a back yard compost. Many local nurseries will take the hay as a donation.
Lighting and Safety
I am all about lighting. I really feel that illumination, especially as the days grow shorter, is so very important not only for ambiance but for safety as well. LED bulbs (lamps as they are called by the trade) have been on the scene for some time now. Install LED smart bulbs in all of your outdoor light fixtures. As the seasons change, you can add some holiday decor by changing the color of the lights for the season.
Yellow LED bulb
As more manufacturers are making these bulbs, the price has come down – however you do get what you pay for. The more costly bulbs last longer and render colors more accurately. Also most LED bulbs are controllable with your phone, Alexa or Google. This makes it easy to control the amount of light at your front door no matter the time of day or night – from inside your home.
Some additional ideas
Mason jar pathway lights with flameless candles are an easy DIY project that add a decorative touch to any season.
A house number planter is a great functional and decorative item you can add to your front door area. The combination of easy to read large numbers with a planter provides a spot for seasonal plants and flowers and makes finding the house so much easier for guests, deliveries or emergency responders.
I hope you have enjoyed these seasonal inspiration ideas for front door decor to help take your homes from summer to fall.
SHARON L SHERMAN ASID CID CKD NCIDQ IS THE FOUNDER OF THYME & PLACE DESIGN. MS SHERMAN IS A BUSINESS OWNER AND DESIGNER LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY.
Her award-winning designs and editorial comments have been featured in Forbes, The NY Times, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Woman’s Day, Country Decorating, Design NJ, New Jersey Home Magazine, 201 Magazine, The Best of Bergen, Savvy Living, The Vue, The Record, The Star Ledger, Bergen Magazine and Aspire as well as several books. Her blog “Tips from the Trade” appears in digital form on DesignNJ.com and KBBonline.com, She has also appeared on HGTV’s My Big Amazing Renovation and episodes of House Smarts with Lou Manfredini.
In 2022, she will be a featured speaker at the National Kitchen and Bath Association’s international convention being held in Orlando, Florida.
