Simple Fall Porch Decorating Ideas Using Natural Elements

For fall, I’m always drawn to decorating that feels natural and easy. These simple fall porch decorating ideas are all about using pumpkins, seasonal flowers, greenery, and a few vintage pieces to bring in that cozy autumn feeling.

I also like to work with what’s already growing or sitting outside instead of starting from scratch each season. By layering in a few pumpkins, changing out some flowers, and adding natural textures and collected pieces, the porch starts to feel festive for fall while still looking relaxed and lived-in.

natural fall porch decor

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I decorated our back deck and porch area first this year. We spend most of our time out back, so I figured we’d enjoy the fall decor more here. It’s a complete contrast from last year, when I decorated with three pumpkins and called it done. This year, I had a little more to work with.

Even though the porch feels fuller, the decorating itself is still pretty simple. I mostly repeated the same few elements throughout: pumpkins, plants, and a few natural touches.

I used pumpkins in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, choosing whatever caught my eye. Who can pick a favorite when they’re all so pretty?

The heirloom pumpkins are especially pretty because of their soft greens, yellows, and muted oranges. They add so much color and character without making the porch feel too bright or overly themed.

fall porch decorating ideas with plants

For my outdoor fall decorating, I always start with plants.

Instead of changing everything out for fall, I like to keep what’s still looking good and add a few seasonal plants and pumpkins around it.

You can see I have a broom tucked in there as well. I keep that outside year-round to sweep with, but it works well with Fall and Halloween decor. You can find a really cute light-up witch broom here.)

I especially love this old strawberry pot I found; it has the perfect weathered patina. For fall, I planted pansies in the top.

Then I tucked violas into the openings along the sides for more color and interest.

Not long ago, I found a set of old green wooden planters at a flea market, and they ended up being perfect for the porch steps. I filled them with mums and repeated them up the stairs for a simple, pulled-together look. (I found 2 almost identical vintage planters online here).

front-porch-fall-decorating-ideas-with-mums-and-pumpkins

This swan planter (find similar here) is another favorite. For fall, I filled it with pansies. This area of the back porch gets little sun, so I use mostly shade plants here.

I brought our small fig tree outside over the summer, and it’s really flourished since doing so.

Below, I added a little more fall color here with orange celosia, pink mums, and sage tucked into a woven planter. I like how the mix feels seasonal without being overly themed, and the different heights give this corner of the porch a little more interest.

This year, I had tons of sage growing in my garden. Sage is a great filler for planters as well.

fall porch decorating with pumpkins

In between the fall planters, I tucked pumpkins into the open spots along the steps. I used a mix of orange, pale green, and creamy white pumpkins, and stacked a couple together for a little extra height.

I also varied the sizes and shapes, stacking a few and leaving others on their own.

I like how the pumpkins break up all the greenery and flowers without taking over the whole porch. Repeating them here and there keeps it feeling seasonal, but still natural.

Simple fall front porch Decorating ideas

fall-planter-ideas-with-coleus-and-cabbage

One more idea I wanted to share is the planter above. This is actually one of my summer planters, with coleus and trailing verbena that have been growing since spring. For fall, I added a head of ornamental cabbage to give it a more seasonal look without replanting the whole thing.

It’s also a good reminder that you don’t have to start over with every planter once fall arrives. If your summer plants are still looking good, keep them and just layer in a few cooler-weather additions.

I actually prefer that look because the planters feel fuller and a little more natural than if everything were freshly planted at once. It’s also an easy way to stretch your summer containers a little longer without spending much more.

Fall front porch decor

fall-porch-decorating-ideas with natural elements

Even though this is our back porch, these same simple front porch decorating ideas could easily be used for fall front porch decor as well. A few pumpkins, seasonal plants, and existing greenery are really all you need to make an entry feel ready for fall.

Last year, I kept our fall porch decor simple with just three orange pumpkins, and I loved that look, too. Some years I’m drawn to really restrained fall decorating, and other years I want it to feel a little more abundant and layered; both can be beautiful in completely different ways.

easy outdoor fall decorating

Though this year’s porch looks much fuller than last year it came together pretty simply. Repeating the same few things: plants, pumpkins, and natural textures, made it easy to decorate without buying a lot of extra fall decor.

I also love that so many of these simple fall porch decorating ideas can carry through the season. As plants fade, you can swap them out, add another pumpkin or two, or just let the porch change naturally as fall goes on.

Sometimes, the simplest outdoor fall decorating ideas are the ones that make a space feel the most welcoming.