by: Samantha Leonard | Samantha Leonard Designs
Although the official date of Fall is late September, some of us (ahem, me), are ready to embrace pumpkin spice and enjoy the fall decor for as long as possible! Ready or not, my top 5 fall decorating guidelines will be here whenever you get that fall itch!
1. Remove Remove Remove! Before you start tossing pumpkins onto your shelves like confetti, take a minute (or several) to remove what I like to call “ordinary time” decor. I borrowed this phrase from the Catholic Church to reference non-seasonal decor items that have become almost like permanent fixtures in your home. Shoving a pumpkin in front of a collection of figurines is not going to serve you well. You are simply creating clutter by refusing to subtract.
2. Dust & Evaluate: As you carefully, remove your collection of brass elephants to make way for your glass pumpkins, take the time to dust off those “ordinary time” pieces, as well as the surfaces they came off! Place the items in temporary storage. As you begin to pull from your fall decor bins (that can become your temporary storage bins), evaluate what you still love and what no longer serves you. Create a donate pile, pack it in the trunk of your car, and set a date to drop off at the donation station of your choice!
3. Natural Elements: My favorite & most elegant way to incorporate fall into my home is by bringing in natural textures. Specifically, I add in the most natural looking fall florals and stems. A good rule of thumb for faux stems: if the color does not closely resemble it’s natural plant state, you can safely pass on it.
4. I Smell Fall: An easy way to boost the feeling of fall in your home is by swapping out your summery scents for fall scents: hand soaps, candles, cleaning sprays, etc. Look for apple cider, pumpkin vanilla, & acorn spice (Shout out to Mrs. Meyer’s for my favorite seasonal hand soaps & cleaning sprays!)
5. When to Decorate: The proper time to decorate for fall…wait for it…is when YOU are ready! Not when an Instagram influencer tells you and not when your Great Aunt Sue says! Whether it is now or October 1st, you call the shots within the walls of your home. Embrace what feels best for you and your family!
Side note: To avoid ruffling the feathers of your neighbors or HOA, I would recommend holding off any outside-the-home Halloween decorations until October 1st or September 22nd (autumnal equinox) at minimum! Fall decor (non Halloween-based) is probably fine to put out starting now. But again, you do you!
Building your fall decor or even “ordinary time” decor from scratch? Look no further! We offer a design day service that is perfect for perfecting these vignettes! Head to our website to get started!
