Fall Décor on the Cheap
Fall is here!
Even though it’s still stinkin’ hot, decorating for fall is one of my favorite things to do. The changing leaves, the breeze, football — what’s not to love? Here are some fun ideas on decorating for fall on a college budget.
Buying on a Budget
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores are a great resource for many things, including fall decorations! The key to this one is to plan ahead and start looking early.
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree or Family Dollar is going to give you some great decorations for a fraction of the price — just don’t expect these pieces to last through several seasons!
DIY
Painted Pumpkins
Most stores sell small or large pumpkins, and they are super easy to paint if you want to avoid the mess of carving one. The small ones are my personal favorite, and you can paint them any color! I tend to paint mine white, which is perfect for any table or small porch decoration. Looking for something a little more elaborate? We’ve got the perfect step-by-step instructions for you — especially if you’re a big Disney fan!
Painted Bottles
These painted bottles are a staple for any season. You just get an old bottle (hello, upcycling!), and paint it any color you want. I prefer more matte colors on this DIY, and I love the brush stroke look. If you want to add some extra “oomph” to these, tie some twine around the neck and add some burlap. You can use this as a fun vase for fall flowers, or just decoration by itself.
Twinkly Mason Jars
Grab a mason jar (pretty inexpensive and easy to find), some burlap or twine, and LED string lights with a battery pack from a craft store (the short ones). Pack the twine or burlap loosely in the mason jar and the lights at the same time to get a cute, twinkly look. These are perfect for tables, porches, or nightstands. Once you’re done, you can use the mason jar for your kitchen and meal prep needs!
Framed Dried Leaves
When you’re at a thrift store looking for other fall décor, check out the frames for this fun (yet more time consuming) DIY. If you find the perfect frame, and it doesn’t need painting, skip this step! But, if you find the perfect frame and it is the wrong color, use some of the leftover paint from the bottle or pumpkin (or both!) and paint your frame whatever color fits with your scheme. While you do this, grab some of those colorful fall leaves we all love and put them inside one of your textbooks for a couple of days. Once your frame is dry, grab the leaves (you should have flat, almost preserved leaves), and glue or tape them onto some cardstock that fits in your frame. You now have a cute fall frame to hang on your wall or prop up on a mantle!
Now that we’ve inspired your inner decorator, show us how your fall set-up turned out! Tag us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook @AuburnCampusRec.
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Zoe L.
Copy Editor
Breslin was raised in Fairhope, Alabama and has been an Auburn fan her whole life. She believes in never taking herself too seriously, laughing lots, and pushing to be the best she can. Majoring in marketing with sports coaching and communication minors, Breslin loves all things sports and wants to pursue a career in sports marketing. When she’s not at work, you can usually find Breslin running with her dog (who’s the cutest).
Breslin is passionate about running, good food, spending time with those she loves, and, of course, her dog. Always eager for a new adventure, she looks forward to living a life of spontaneity and a touch of chaos.
