23 DIY Fall Home Decor Ideas on a Budget

Fall decorating doesn’t have to break the bank! Some of the most beautiful autumn decor comes from simple DIY projects using things you already have at home or can find for just a few dollars. There’s something so satisfying about creating your own seasonal decorations, and honestly, handmade pieces often have way more character than expensive store-bought items.

These budget-friendly ideas will help you transform your space into a cozy fall haven without spending a fortune.

1. Dry Hydrangea Arrangements

Dried hydrangeas are absolutely gorgeous and so elegant for fall! The papery petals in soft blues, purples, and creams create such beautiful, cloud-like arrangements that last for months. You can cut them from your own garden in late summer or find them at farmers markets for cheap.

They look stunning in vintage pitchers, mason jars, or simple glass vases. The muted colors work perfectly with fall’s warmer tones, and there’s something so romantic about how they catch the light. Plus, they’re completely maintenance-free once dried!

2. Pressed Leaf Art Gallery

This is one of my favorite ways to bring fall indoors! Collect beautiful leaves in all those amazing autumn colors and press them between heavy books for a few weeks. Once they’re flat and dry, you can frame them individually or create collages. The natural shapes and colors are like having pieces of fall art on your walls.

Mix different leaf types and sizes for visual interest, and use simple frames from the dollar store. It’s like having your own personal autumn gallery that celebrates the season’s natural beauty.

3. Sweater Pillow Covers

Old sweaters make the coziest fall pillow covers! Those chunky knits in warm colors like burgundy, cream, or burnt orange instantly make everything feel more autumnal and snuggly.

The cable knit patterns and soft textures add so much warmth to your living room or bedroom. You can use sweaters from thrift stores or ones that have seen better days from your own closet. The result is these incredibly soft, textured pillows that just scream “cuddle weather” and make your space feel like the perfect fall retreat.

4. Pinecone Garland or Jars

Pinecones are like free decorating gold just waiting in your yard! String them together to make rustic garlands that look amazing draped over mantels, doorways, or stair railings. Or fill up mason jars with different sized pinecones for simple but beautiful displays.

The natural brown tones and interesting textures bring that woodsy, outdoorsy feeling inside. You can leave them natural or give them a light spray of gold or copper paint for a bit of glamour. Either way, they capture that essence of fall walks and cozy cabin vibes.

5. Cinnamon Stick Candles

These smell absolutely amazing and look so rustic and charming! Bundle cinnamon sticks around plain pillar candles with twine or rubber bands, and the warm spice scent fills the room when they burn.

The natural brown color of the cinnamon sticks gives such a cozy, cabin-like feel to any space. You can find cinnamon sticks in bulk at grocery stores pretty cheaply. When the candles are lit, the cinnamon warms up and releases even more of that delicious fall fragrance that makes everything feel like home.

6. Frosted Mason Jars with Wheat

Frosted mason jars have such a soft, elegant look that’s perfect for fall! You can create the frosted effect with spray paint or etching cream, then fill them with wheat stalks or dried grasses. The combination of the cloudy glass and golden wheat is so beautiful and harvest-inspired.

These make gorgeous centerpieces or mantel decorations, and the soft light filtering through the frosted glass creates such a lovely ambiance. Group them in different heights for more visual interest, and tie some twine around the necks for extra rustic charm.

7. Button Candy Corn Framed Art

This is such a cute and whimsical fall craft that kids would love to help with! Layer buttons in those classic candy corn colors – white, orange, and yellow – to create textured art pieces. The buttons add so much dimension and interest to simple frames.

It’s playful and fun while still being sophisticated enough for adult decor. The smooth texture of the buttons creates a lovely effect, and you can make several pieces to create a whole candy corn gallery wall that’s totally unique.

8. Distressed Wooden Pumpkins

Wooden pumpkins with that perfectly imperfect distressed finish look so much more interesting than plastic ones! You can create this weathered, vintage look with sandpaper and paint techniques that make new wood look like it’s been around for years. The natural wood grain showing through chippy paint is so charming and rustic.

These pumpkins work beautifully scattered around your house, grouped on mantels, or mixed with real pumpkins for texture variety. They’ll last forever and get better looking with age, just like real vintage pieces.

9. Acorn Picture Frame Border

This brings such a sweet, nature-inspired touch to your fall decorating! Glue acorns around the edges of plain picture frames to create these gorgeous textured borders. The natural brown tones and organic shapes add so much character to any photo or artwork.

You can collect acorns for free from your yard or local parks, and they’re such a classic symbol of autumn. The result is frames that look like they came from an expensive boutique but cost practically nothing to make. They’re perfect for displaying fall family photos or seasonal prints.

10. Bead-Style Pumpkin Sculpture

These sculptural pumpkins made from wooden beads strung on wire have such a modern, artistic look! The natural wood tones and interesting geometric shapes created by the beads give them a sophisticated, gallery-worthy appearance.

They’re so different from traditional pumpkin decor and add such unique texture to your fall displays. You can make them in different sizes and group them together for maximum impact. The way light and shadow play across all those curved surfaces is really beautiful, and they work with both rustic and contemporary decor styles.

11. Fabric Pumpkin DIYs

Fabric pumpkins are so versatile because you can make them in any color or pattern that matches your decor! Use fall fabrics like plaid, burlap, or warm solid colors to create pumpkins that perfectly complement your style.

They’re soft and touchable, which adds such a cozy element to your seasonal decorating. You can make them in all different sizes and scatter them around your house, or create a whole pumpkin patch on your mantel. The fabric gives them such a homey, handmade feel that store-bought decorations just can’t match.

12. Hanging Pumpkin Planters

These are so unexpected and charming! Hollow out pumpkins and use them as hanging planters for fall flowers or trailing plants. The natural orange color looks gorgeous with purple mums or green ivy spilling out. It’s such a creative way to combine real pumpkins with live plants, and the hanging element adds vertical interest to your decorating.

They look amazing on porches or patios, and you can hang them at different heights for a really dynamic display. Plus, when the pumpkin eventually breaks down, you can just compost it!

13. Fall Leaf Throw Pillows

Decorating pillows with fabric fall leaves creates such beautiful, nature-inspired accents! You can use fabric paint to stamp leaf shapes onto plain pillow covers, or sew on fabric leaves for more dimension.

The organic shapes and autumn colors instantly transform any room into a fall wonderland. These pillows add such a soft, cozy element to your seasonal decorating, and they’re perfect for snuggling up with during those chilly autumn evenings.

14. Nature-Inspired Gallery Wall

Create a whole wall of framed natural elements like pressed flowers, leaves, feathers, or seed pods for such an elegant, organic look! The mix of different textures and shapes creates visual interest, while the natural colors work beautifully with fall’s palette.

You can collect most of the elements for free from nature walks, and simple frames from discount stores keep the cost low. The result is this sophisticated, museum-quality display that celebrates the beauty of the natural world and changes your whole room’s atmosphere.

15. Scrap Wood Table Riser With Flowers

This creates such beautiful height and dimension in your fall displays! Use rough scrap wood to create rustic table risers, then top them with flowers or other seasonal elements. The natural wood adds organic texture, while the elevation creates more visual interest than flat displays.

You can find scrap wood for free in local parks, and any flowers of your choice. The combination of the rough wood texture with delicate blooms is so beautiful and perfectly captures fall’s mix of rustic and romantic elements.

16. DIY Lanterns Under $10

Homemade lanterns have such charm and character that expensive ones often lack! You can create beautiful lanterns using mason jars, wire, and battery-operated candles for a fraction of what store-bought versions cost.

The soft, flickering light creates such a cozy atmosphere, and you can customize them to match your exact style. Add fall elements like leaves or berries inside for seasonal flair. These work beautifully both indoors and outdoors, and making several creates such a magical, romantic lighting scheme for your fall decorating.

17. Copper Mini Pumpkin Accents

Spray painting mini pumpkins in copper creates such elegant, sophisticated fall decor! The warm metallic finish elevates humble pumpkins into something that looks expensive and designer. Copper has such rich, warm tones that work perfectly with autumn’s color palette, and the metallic finish catches the light beautifully.

You can mix these with natural pumpkins for texture contrast, or group them together for a more formal look. They’re perfect for mantels, table centerpieces, or anywhere you want to add a touch of glamour to your fall decorating.

18. Fall Wreath from Dollar-Store Materials

Dollar store supplies can create wreaths that look like they came from expensive boutiques! Use items like artificial leaves, small pumpkins, ribbon, and berries to create gorgeous fall wreaths for just a few dollars. The key is layering different textures and colors to create depth and interest.

These wreaths have such a full, abundant look when you combine lots of different elements. They’re perfect for front doors, mantels, or anywhere you want to make a big seasonal statement without spending a lot of money.

19. Doormat DIY with Stencil

A custom fall doormat creates such a welcoming first impression! Use stencils and outdoor paint to create messages like “Welcome” or “Hello” on plain doormats. You can also stencil leaf shapes or pumpkin designs for more visual interest.

The personalized touch makes your entrance feel so much more special than a generic store-bought mat. Choose colors that complement your fall decorating scheme, and the result is this custom piece that perfectly expresses your style and welcomes guests with seasonal charm.

20. Grapevine/Wood Wreath with Wheat & Ribbon

Natural grapevine wreaths have such beautiful, organic texture that’s perfect for fall! Add bundles of wheat, colorful ribbon, and maybe some berries or small pumpkins for a harvest-inspired look. The combination of the twisted vine, golden wheat, and soft ribbon creates such lovely texture and color contrast.

These wreaths have that authentic, farmhouse feel that’s so popular right now. The natural materials will last for years, and you can change up the ribbon and accents each season to keep the look fresh.

21. Layered Textures in Fall Zone

Creating designated fall zones with lots of layered textures makes such a big impact! Combine elements like woven baskets, chunky knit throws, wooden bowls, and natural elements to create rich, cozy vignettes.

The mix of smooth, rough, soft, and hard textures creates visual interest and makes spaces feel so much more inviting. Think about combining things like a wooden tray with a burlap runner, ceramic pumpkins, and a cozy throw pillow. The layering creates depth and makes your fall decorating feel intentional and sophisticated.

22. Thrifted or Dollar Store Finds Spray-Painted Copper

Turn cheap finds into expensive-looking decor with copper spray paint! Items like candlesticks, picture frames, or small containers become elegant fall accents when given that warm metallic finish. Copper has such rich, luxurious tones that instantly elevate anything you paint.

The key is choosing items with interesting shapes or details that will look good highlighted in metallic. Group several copper-painted pieces together for maximum impact, and mix them with natural elements like pumpkins or leaves for perfect fall styling.

23. Gallery Wall of Fall Printables + Frames

Free fall printables from the internet combined with inexpensive frames create such beautiful seasonal wall art! Look for prints with autumn quotes, leaf designs, or warm color schemes that match your decor. The mix of different sizes and sayings creates visual interest, while the seasonal messages set the perfect fall mood.

You can print them at home or at a copy shop for very little money, and simple frames from discount stores complete the look. Change them out each season to keep your wall art fresh and current.