Decorate Your Front Door for Fall

Look for a wreath with
varied colors and textures.

Fall Exterior Decorating 

Oh, the sights and sounds of fall!

• The crunch of dried leaves under your feet as you walk through the lawn.  
• Blazing colors at every glance
• Friday night lights glowing on the football field
• Combined rolling across yellow fields
• Tractors and wagons hauling in the harvest  
• And you, outside, decorating the exterior of your home for fall!

To begin your fall exterior decorating, think of a fresh theme for this year’s autumn exterior décor concept.  When you start this process, consider the traditions unique to your family.  Do any favorite memories come to mind?  Maybe your family makes an annual trek to the local apple orchard.  If so, the apple theme just fell off the tree for you.  What about picking the perfect pumpkin from the patch?  You should pick pumpkins to focus your exterior décor.  Is your family all about football?  Hunting?  Whatever it is that gives you autumn joy, embrace it and emphasize it! 

Start decorating with the point of greatest impact, your front door.  The basic anchor that serves as the foundation for implementing your theme idea rests in a better-than-ordinary wreath.  So, what’s an ordinary wreath?  I say that it is one that is constructed of a single material, let’s say silk leaves.  What would make it better?  Multi-material construction, perhaps the addition of berries, mini-pumpkins, or acorns takes a wreath to the next level. What would make it even better?  The inclusion of an item from your theme would be a good choice.  For example, sunflowers with leaves and berries works great for a sunflower theme.  Maybe a crow or two for fun!  A great bow steps up your wreath to give you what you are looking for in a front-door show-stopper.  The ultimate upgrade would be the addition of lights for night-time impact.  Buy a pre-lit wreath or add your own string of lights to any wreath of your choosing. Battery-powered lights work nicely in this application. Electric cords and swinging doors don't work well together.

Try a swag instead of a wreath.

Boost your style score with a
decorative hanger.  This one features
oak leaves, acorns and an owl.

If a wreath seems nice, but too traditional for you, maybe this is the year to try a swag.  Hanging vertically, a swag presents a fresh take on front door décor.  Look for the same elements as you would in a circular wreath to choose a great swag. 

Whether you select a traditional wreath or a swag, boost your style score by using a decorative wreath hanger.  If you want your item to hang at a specific height, then choose a hanger with a length adjustment.  This would work well if you want to aim for a window in a door.  The hanger itself is attractive and multiplies the visual impact of your front door that’s now dressed to impress!

Add a swag that coordinates with your theme.

Next on your list of autumn exterior entrance décor must-haves should be a coordinating garland to frame your front door.   it should help you build upon your theme.  You’ll want to measure the height and width of your front door system, taking into account the transom above the door and side light(s) that you may have.  You may need to twist on two or three sections of garland to completely outline the entrance.  Pay special attention to the garland length when shopping, because there is no standard length for this product.  What could be worse than not ordering enough the first time, and then finding out that you can’t get another segment because it’s all sold out for the season?  So, order enough the first time.

A cheerful mat adds the finishing touch
to your doorway decor.

Complete your front door ensemble with a doormat that complements your theme.  With many materials, sizes and styles to choose from, you’re sure to find one that you’ll love.  Consider the amount and type of foot traffic and terrain to begin choosing your new doormat.  If you deal with a great deal of mud, look for one made of heavy rubber with deep cut-outs to control tracking.  If your front door receives people directly from pavement and cement and not a steady stream of visitors, then a colorful painted on design with subtle recesses or one constructed of coir would open the door to many more choices to enhance your theme.   

Now that you have a plan in mind, enjoy turning your door décor ideas into a personalized theme to welcome guests and family into your home.  

Happy Fall Y’all!

Kay

Email: greatdecorideas@gmail.com

website:  www.greatdecorideas.com