Bring autumn inside

Putting natural elements to work indoors can evoke the same sense of restorative calm as a walk in the woods or a morning cup of coffee enjoyed on a back porch with a view. When the weather makes you want to get cozy, bring autumnal touches and rustic charm into your home with these easy fall decorations.

Start by looking around outside for inspiration and gather anything that catches your eye, including brightly colored leaves (choose those that are still pliable; they’ll last longer), acorns, gourds, weathered branches, grasses, apples and interesting seedpods. Then walk around the house gathering up pillar candles, unused picture frames, a child’s old art project or even cinnamon sticks—anything that reminds you of fall. And don’t be afraid to get creative. Nature doesn’t strive for perfection, and neither should you.

Warm welcome

Greet guests at the front porch by piling leaves and acorns onto a charming weathered bench. Keep like items together for an eye-pleasing effect.

Sign of the season

You won’t find anything as distinctive as this woodsy cursive monogram in a catalog. Craft our personalized sign with twigs from your yard and a rustic block of wood—it’s easier than it looks! Get the monogram templates here.

Fresh picks

If an apple a day can keep you healthy, imagine the effect of keeping a bowlful within reach on a side table. When you’re out at the farm for pumpkins, pick up a bag or two of fragrant Honeycrisp or Gala apples and pile them into a wire basket or low ceramic bowl. A contrasting strand of ribbon adds a sweet finishing touch.

Liven up the living room

Adding a few pinecones and a smattering of leaves to an existing mix of family pictures is an easy way to acknowledge the season. For more enchantment, try slipping some framed leaves or a photocopy of an antique botanical print into your photo display.

Handmade treasures

As every parent knows, little hands make the best gifts. And with the addition of pretty branches, your kid-crafted ceramics will brighten up the kitchen table. Also use wheat stalks, dried grasses or wildflowers.

Ode to organizing

There’s nothing like the feeling you have after organizing piles of craft materials, office supplies or linens into sturdy storage containers. We bet you’ll feel even better after making our seasonal magnets to decorate the bins. You can also use them to add a touch of the season to any metal surface like the fridge or a filing cabinet.

Bathing beauty

Filling a glass apothecary jar with the makings of a homemade potpourri—cinnamon sticks, dried cloves, berries, pinecones, leaves, acorns and a few drops of cinnamon essential oil for scent—will transform your bathroom into a seasonal sanctuary. Don’t feel like making your own? Pick up a premade package of potpourri and use the time you save to give thanks for the heavenly scent wafting from your bathroom.

Waxing poetic

Take non-drip harvest-colored candles, add the unlikely companion of an ornate cake stand and voilà—instant romance for the most ordinary night table. Carefully arrange a few soft, curvy leaves around the bottom of the candles and bask in the glow.

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