Are you starting to plan your Fall Decorating. The time is fast approaching and I’ve already got my thinking cap on. The thing I love most about fall is the abundance of Free or almost free decor ideas.
I hardly spend any money for fall decor and the best thing is most of the decor items are easily disposed of after the season. In addition, you don’t have to worry about storage space. So here are my tried and true 10 Tips for Free Fall Decorating.
Hunt and Gather
First, I like to see what I can find on my own property so I get the John Deer Gator rolling and I search for Free Fall Decorating items. A couple of warnings about this type of decor. One, apply bug repellent before you go hunting or you may bring home some critter’s that settle into unmentionable places and you’ll be scratching them for days. Secondly, you should prepare to debug your gatherings. You can mist larger items with bug spray or repellent and you smaller items can be placed in the freezer for a few hours until all is clear.

# 1 – Gum Balls are pretty and free
Gum Balls are those sticky little balls that fall from the Maple Tree this time of year. They look great piled in a basket or made into these cute gum ball flowers. All you need is wooden skewers and a drop of glue for each one. I like to vary the lengths of the sticks so they are different heights in the vase.

Another way to use these free goodies, is to string them for garland. You can spray paint them if you prefer another color for your fall decor.

#2 – Free Corn Stalks
If you live anywhere close to a rural area, you most likely will see a corn field. My neighbors are friendly and don’t mind if I grab a few for my porch. However, you do want to ask before taking. There are always some stalks without corn and they don’t mind if you take those for your fall decor.

# 3 – Free Wild Flowers are great for Fall Decorating
Golden Rod and wild black eyed Susan’s are all along the highways as fall approaches. Grab a basket and gather some of these beauties for fall floral arrangement. Also, it’s fun to mix the wild flowers with a bouquet from the grocery store or Trader Joe’s. Note: Mist your wildflowers with hairspray to prevent excess shedding.

#4 – Acorns make great fall filler
Acorns are free for the picking. These lovely freebies are great in their natural color but are also fun to paint. Here they are surrounding a votive candle for a fun fall look. In addition, they look great in a basket or a bowl.

#5 – Wild Fruit and Autumn Leaves
In addition to wild flowers, wild fruit is beautiful and the leaves from the fruit trees are perfect for adding to your fall floral arrangement. We have an abundance of persimmon trees and the fruit looks so pretty displayed on a tablescape or kitchen counter top. Also, gather free leaves from the trees. These look beautiful in arrangements as well as alone in containers.

#6 – Pine Cone’s make great fall and holiday decor
Pine Cones come is a variety of shapes and sizes. We have a little bit of everything here at The Ponds. I love them plain, painted, broken apart for crafts, etc. There are so many ways to use pine cones. Fill a basket, add to a fall wreath with a little hot glue, use in floral arrangement, and on and on. These are painted with Copper Spray Paint to compliment the theme I have planned for my fall decor.


#7 – Spray Paint Tin Cans
If you have followed me for any time, you know I save a lot of tin cans, because you never know when you might need them. I cover them with napkins, paint them, leave them natural and let them rust. So many uses for these free items. Here I have spray painted them copper and made them into candle holders for my fall table.

# 8 – Recycle Materials
Although I just shared this tip with you, I thought it was worth repeating. These plate charger’s were made from packing or shipping material. You can see how to make them here. However, the point I’d like to make is to never over look anything and keep your mind open to new possibilities before you dismiss an item as trash.

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# 9 – Fresh Fruit, Nuts and Dried Beans
Autumn is all about harvest time and what’s better in the fall than Apples. You can use them in your decor and stay healthy at the same time. Do they still say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”? Oh well, apples are not free but you can display them until they are eaten. In addition, nuts and dried beans are great for filling in around candles or displaying in a pretty bowl. We have a lot of hickory nuts that fall to the ground and therefore are perfect free decor.

# 10 – Free Grapevine
One of my favorite free decor items is grapevine. We have is growing into trees all around the property and it’s free for the taking. You can make wreaths of any size. I love the rustic, organic feel of just a plain grapevine wreath. I also use it as a garland around the top of my screened porch, with twinkle lights this free decor looks enchanting. See how to make twig plate charger’s using grapevine here.

I’m sure you have some ideas that I didn’t even think of. If you do, please share them below in the comments. I look forward to learning some new free decorating tips.
Thank’s so much for stopping by today! Your support and comments mean so much to me. I look forward to sharing my next project and adventure with you!
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Great ideas Rachel. Pinned🙌🏻
Ann,
I really appreciate your support. thanks for commenting.
Rachel
Good Morning Rachel
I love all your Fall ideas and will use them this year. I love all these natural goodies. And I love the put them in the freezer tip
have a great day
deezie
Deezie,
Thank you so much. I’m glad you found something useful. Thanks for commenting.
Rachel
I love the tin can candle holders! I have collected princess house crystal for years, (my mom sold it when I was little so I guess it’s a warm memory) I bought two globes , no bases. This is going to be perfect! Thank you!
Joeleen,
Oh I’m so glad you found something that you can use for your decor. Have the best day & thanks for stopping by.
Rachel
Great tips! I never thought to hair spray the wild flowers – So smart. I love heading out on the 4 wheeler with a laundry basket tied to the front. The dogs hate it because that’s actually their seat but in the fall, it’s all mine and ready for pickin’! I wish we had a corn field around us. We have to buy them and geez, they are not cheap but totally worth it.
You are doing a great job with your blog btw. 🙂
Cindy,
I am trying. I feel so far behind. Everything is new. I really appreciate your support. Thanks for the sweet compliments.
Rachel
I love all of these clever, creative ideas. Crazy question, but I’m wondering what can did you paint for the candle holders? They’re the perfect size. I can’t wait for fall!
Debra,
They are large tuna cans. Thanks for your sweet compliments.
Rachel
You make it look so easy . Ty for sharing 🌿🍃
Mattie,
I really appreciate your comments. Have a great day.
Rachel
O wow I just recycled that packing paper 🙁 I knew I should have kept it 🙁 …..Great idea!
Joy,
Oh no! Maybe you’ll get another shipment. Thanks for stopping by.
Rachel