Autumn is the time of year in which you can
literally smell the changes. Leaves are burning, peanuts
are roasting, and most people are just beginning to fill
a hint of a chill in the air. More than smelling the
changes that are coming you can see them. Leaves begin
to take on brilliant hues and the colors are spectacular
to watch and witness. This is the time of year that
thoughts begin to turn to football, hiking, and the
upcoming holidays (for there are quite a few on the
horizon).
Fall contains two primary holidays for many people.
Those include Halloween and Thanksgiving. Keep these
holidays in mind when planning your primary fall home
decorating scheme and make small adjustments in order to
accommodate the holidays. Personally, I love the colors
associated with autumn. The yellows, shades of gold,
orange, and brown are favorites for my decorating taste.
I always regret a little that this time of year is often
overshadowed by Christmas as it approaches and the
expectations of others that I decorate for Christmas
almost immediately after celebrating Thanksgiving.
For those who lack inspiration when it comes to home
decorating for fall, keep the colors mentioned above in
mind. One great theme to incorporate into the decorating
process would be the theme of leaves. Leaves falling
from the trees are one of the most common associations
with this time of year and it is a great look to
incorporate into your home. You can even find leaf
garlands in fall shades if you are inclined to look for
them. Leaves can also be incorporated into lovely
centerpieces and floral arrangements to hallmark the
season.
Harvest is another common association with autumn. This
is also rather easy to incorporate into most home
decorating designs. Gourds make an excellent accent
piece for this time of year and you can find real ones
in almost any vegetable market along with many realistic
imitation gourds. These can be used, much like or along
with leaves, as part of centerpieces, in floral
arrangements, in tabletop decorations, and even to hold
place cards for large gatherings. They are incredibly
versatile as well as colorful and make a great addition
to any autumn home decorating venture.
Pumpkins are essentially gourds but they have a special
place all their own in the fall home decorating scheme.
Pumpkins have a special association with both Halloween
and Thanksgiving (pumpkin pie anyone) and should not be
overlooked as an important tool for decoration. In
addition they are just bright, colorful, and cheerful to
have around the house. To avoid the stench of rotting
pumpkins simply avoid carving them if you intend to keep
them around for a little while. Those that are carved
should be placed outside and only carved within days of
the 'big day'.
A great centerpiece idea in general for fall would
include a large bowl, in outstanding fall colors such as
a burnt orange or a shade of gold. For the first part of
autumn you can fill the centerpiece with candies that
are wrapped in fall colors. This is ideal for family
munchies as well as trick or treaters that may find
their way to your door on Halloween. Once this holiday
has ended you can fill the bowl with colorful leaves and
gourds to complete the look. This should carry you
through Thanksgiving when it is time to begin thinking
about Christmas decorations and wintertime rather than
fall.
Whether you adore fall like I do or dread its appearance
each year for whatever reason there is little denying
that fall is ripe with decorating ideas and ideals. Take
the time to look around your local craft stores and see
where inspiration strikes. It is never too early or too
late in the year to begin thinking about what you are
going to do for your home decorating plan in the seasons
to come.
