Spruce Up Your Home for Fall | Family Economics

By Lynnae

School has started, the weather is cooling and fall is just around the corner. I like to make my home reflect the season, so it's time to start thinking about fall décor. Fortunately it's easy to decorate on a budget during the fall season as nature provides a great deal of inspiration!

• Options from Outdoors. Take the children on a hike and let them collect pine cones and nuts for display in the house. Pine cones look great in baskets, and a jar full of nuts displays nicely on a shelf or table. Tall, dry grasses can also add a nice touch when placed in a vase and tied with an earthy ribbon.

• Candles are Scent-sational! I love decorating with candles because they're inexpensive and versatile. They also go a long way toward setting the mood in a room. For fall I like to pick up candles in various shades of reds, oranges and browns. I also look for candles with yummy fall scents like pumpkin or apple pie.

• Fabulous Food Décor. Autumn is also a great time for using food in your decorating scheme. Place big pumpkins and gourds of varying shapes near the front door. If you're feeling really crafty, have the children help you make a scarecrow out of old clothes to welcome people!

Baskets of smaller gourds in the house bring the feeling of fall inside. A bowl full of apples makes the kitchen look inviting.

If you'd like to take your decorating a step further, you can make candle holders out of mini pumpkins by cutting a hole in the gourds the same size as your candle. A group of different sized gourds topped with candles of varying sizes can make a stunning display.

• Finish with Fabric. Small changes like fall colored throws and accent pillows will transform an entire room. Save money by picking up throw pillows from the thrift store (make sure to wash them in hot water) and recovering them with fall prints from the fabric store.

Spruce up your window coverings by adding raffia ties or a garland of faux autumn leaves over the curtain rod.

These small touches can effortlessly move your home from summer to fall. And the best part? They're easy and cost next to nothing!