There’s something about the first real signs of fall that makes me want to start changing things around the house. Maybe it’s the cooler evenings, the leaves finally turning, or simply the excuse to bring out a few pumpkins. Whatever it is, I’m ready.
What I’m not quite as excited about is completely redecorating the house every few weeks from September through Thanksgiving. Instead, I like to start with a beautiful fall foundation, add a few playful touches for Halloween, and make another small edit when November arrives. It keeps the house feeling seasonal without starting over three times.
Start With Fall, Not the Holiday
Before the bats, ghosts and jack-o’-lanterns make an appearance, I start with pieces that simply feel like fall. Beautiful branches in a favorite vessel, warm wood tones, woven textures, earthy ceramics and a few really good pumpkins or fun bats can instantly shift a room or entry into the new season. Cream, terracotta, amber, deep green and touches of black all work beautifully this time of year.
Because these pieces can stay out for months, I think it’s worth being selective. Rather than buying a bin full of inexpensive seasonal decor, I’d rather find a few things I genuinely love bringing out each year. A beautiful ceramic or glass pumpkin, an interesting bowl, a linen throw or a substantial vase filled with branches can feel just as appropriate in early October as it does around the Thanksgiving table.
Give Halloween Its Moment
Once that fall foundation is in place, Halloween gets to have a little fun. At my house, that might mean a flock of black bats making their way up the entry wall, a few black and white pumpkins on the console, or a cheeky Halloween sign tucked into the vignette. As you can probably tell from the photo, I am not opposed to a bat. Or ten.
The trick is not replacing everything around them. The console, mirror, lamps, stools, vase and branches are all part of the room throughout the year. The Halloween pieces are simply layered in for a few weeks, so the space feels festive without becoming overly themed.
I also like choosing just a few places to have more fun. An entry, mantel, kitchen island or dining table is plenty. Not every surface in the house needs to participate!
Choose Pieces That Feel Special
I shop for holiday decor much the same way I shop for anything else in a home. I look at the material, shape, color and craftsmanship first. Hand-painted ceramics, aged brass, blown glass, carved wood and beautiful textiles feel more collected and mix easily with things you already own.
That doesn’t mean everything needs to be serious. Sometimes a whimsical ghost or slightly ridiculous pumpkin is exactly what a room needs. The balance comes from mixing those playful pieces with items that have a little more longevity. Over time, you end up with a seasonal collection that feels personal rather than something that came home in one shopping trip. My personal favorite? My Halloween themed Snoopy collection:
Loving the latest collection from Peanuts x Williams Sonoma – The Great Pumpkin Dinnerware Collection
I also need to take a second to let these sweet little linen napkins from Sophie Allport have their moment! In fact, the entire Paws & Pumpkins Collection is too cute to handle!
When November Arrives, Edit
Then Halloween is over, the candy has mysteriously disappeared, and November is here. The bats, ghosts and jack-o’-lanterns go away, while the beautiful pumpkins, branches, candles and warmer accessories stay exactly where they are.
For Thanksgiving, I like to bring in more natural elements. Fresh branches or foliage, pears or mini pumpkins in a beautiful bowl, checked linen napkins in Fall tones and stately candleholders can completely change the mood without completely changing the room. You’re not redecorating; you’re simply editing what you already have.
And don’t overlook the things you actually use. A beautiful throw, linen napkins, a favorite serving bowl, cocktail napkins or a pretty hand towel in the powder room can make the house feel festive without adding more clutter.
Let It Still Feel Like You
Seasonal decorating shouldn’t erase the personality you’ve spent the rest of the year creating in your home. If your style is clean and contemporary, fall can be too. If your home is colorful and collected, lean into it. And if you love a little whimsy, bring on the bats.
Start with a few beautiful fall pieces you truly love, layer in some Halloween personality for October, and make a few thoughtful changes when Thanksgiving rolls around. It’s easier, more personal and gives those special pieces a chance to be enjoyed for much longer than a few weeks.
And perhaps best of all, it means considerably fewer storage bins.
Happy Fall!
Michelle
