As the days cool and the leaves begin to turn, it is a delight to spend more time outdoors. As evening temperatures drop into the 70s and 80s, we are inspired to decorate our outdoor spaces to capture the cozy feel of fall. Pumpkins, squash, outdoor fires, hay bales, and cornstalks- Oh My!
Part of the fun of decorating is the hunt for just the right items to place on the porch. Agritourism throughout Arizona offers special places to immerse yourself in the season, spend time, and purchase décor items.
(Find some of our favorite local agritourism spots below)
But before you go shopping for the perfect decor, here are some tips to help you design an inviting porch. Fall decorating is a great way to blend comfort, color, and nature, and we’ve got a few ways to apply these elements to your porch or yard.
Make A Plan
1. Lean into Nature-Inspired Elements
Fall decorating lends itself to treasures from the earth – think mushrooms, branches, seed pods, gnarled wood, feathers, shells, etc.
DIY idea: Explore your desert yard for unique seed pods, cactus ribs, or leaves. Or visit wooded areas, where you’ll find interesting sticks, twigs, pinecones, and pods. Designers like to feature natural items by spray-painting them in matte or muted metallics (bronze, soft gold) and clustering them around the porch. Use them to flank planters or weave them into wreaths. Mix them with pumpkins or gourds to create layered, textural vignettes.
Natural elements age well outside, and they echo what’s happening in your yard (leaves, vines, bark). They help your décor feel intentional and real, not plastic or fake.
2. Pumpkins, Faux Hay & Faux Mums
Pumpkins are perennial fall staples, and even designers note they “aren’t going anywhere this season.” Also, trending are faux hay bales and faux mums. Faux versions are low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and foolproof for keeping your entry looking fresh all season.
- Use real pumpkins mixed with sprayed or whitewashed pumpkins to soften the orange.
- Elevate them on crates or hay bales (real or faux) to create height variation.
- For faux mums, snip a few “flowers” and mix them in with real potted mums or grasses.
- For a rustic touch, add Spanish moss, dried grasses, or burlap fabric under and around your pumpkin groupings.
3. Vintage & Patinaed Finds
Vintage pieces continue to be popular. According to designers, the “patina, character, and storytelling nature of vintage décor” make them ideal focal points. Scour estate sales or thrift stores for old wooden ladders, old metal buckets, weathered crates, or antique watering cans.
- Use them to hold pumpkins, lanterns, or dried florals.
Create a vintage look with a mono-chromatic theme - If you already have items like old window frames, crates, or benches, distress them with a bit of sanding or whitewashing to amplify that aged look.
- Place these vintage pieces strategically to anchor your display, rather than cluttering it.
4. Jewel Tones & Layered Textiles
This fall, deep hues like malachite, jade, and lapis (alongside traditional warm tones) are popular. Layering blankets, rugs, throw pillows, and dual rugs creates cozy, inviting looks, perfect for a fall get-together.
- Use throw pillows in deep blues or greens, paired with burnt orange or rust cushions.
- Drape cozy, weather-rated throws over porch chairs or benches. If you’re hosting a party, keep |extras on hand for when it gets chilly!
- Incorporate an outdoor rug under your sitting area and layer a smaller patterned rug over it.
- Use planters painted in dark jewel tones to create a striking contrast with pumpkins and gourds.
Classic Fall Staples That Still Work
These are tried-and-true fall décor ideas, but they can go wrong if overdone:
- Corn stalks | add height and drama, but they can become dry, brittle, and pose a fire hazard. Make sure they’re sturdy, anchored, and placed away from doors/walkways.
“Corn stalks are incredibly versatile,” Ashlee Mortimer of Mortimer Farms said. “Most guests tie them together in pairs and place them on either side of their front door, mailbox, or entryway. They also make great backdrops for porch displays, adding that tall, rustic texture that instantly says harvest season is here.”
- Scarecrows | are cute when tasteful, but too many or poorly made ones can look tacky. Keep one as a focal accent, not your entire porch theme. (And avoid the ones that might scare children!)
- String lights/fairy lights | are cozy, yes, but make sure they’re rated for outdoor use and hidden wiring.
- Variety of color | Pumpkins + mums + gourds + lanterns + fabrics all in vivid orange can overwhelm. Balance with neutrals, greens, or jewel tones.
What to Avoid
- Avoid stuffing every space. Let a few pieces breathe. A heavy, perfectly mirrored setup often looks staged; asymmetry can feel more casual and inviting.
- Real pumpkins rot, mums fade, leaves turn dull. It happens, so make sure to mix in faux elements or rotate things over time. Use faux mums or faux foliage in the back, and new real elements in front for freshness.
- While budget pieces have their place, widespread plastic pumpkins or flimsy décor can detract from the overall aesthetic from a distance. Use them sparingly.
- Strong winds can topple tall elements like cornstalks or scarecrows. Intense sunlight, which we’re familiar with, can also cause fabrics to fade quickly. Use anchors and UV-resistant materials when possible.
Layers are key to making your front porch stand out - If every item matches (same orange, same texture), the result can feel flat. Mixing textures (burlap, wood, moss, metal), tones, and heights brings depth and interest.
Important Warning: Urban wildlife specialist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds people that it is illegal to feed wildlife knowingly (except for birds and squirrels). If you choose to use real pumpkins and squash outside, place them out of reach of wildlife or display them in a window.
Habituating wildlife to human food sources can lead to property damage and potential conflicts that could result in serious injuries to people or pets.
Where to stock up on fall décor – and support local!
Arizona’s family farms offer more than just photo-worthy pumpkin patches – they’re full-on fall destinations where you can enjoy seasonal treats, festive activities, and shop for unique autumn items. Here are a few of our favorites:
Mortimer Farms (12907 E. State Rt. 169, Dewey) provides a classic fall farm experience with pick-your-own pumpkin fields, educational tours, and a marketplace filled with locally made goods. Their Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze runs through October 27 and features hayrides, live entertainment, and farm-fresh eats.
“Our most-loved fall décor pieces are pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, and straw bales. Guests love mixing and matching different pumpkin varieties – from traditional orange to heirloom whites, greens, and speckled varieties – to create natural, textured displays,” Mortimer said. “They’re grown right here on the farm! Every pumpkin and stalk has that farm-fresh charm and embodies the beauty of the season. We also think people love fall décor because it’s welcoming and timeless – it brings warmth, nostalgia, and a little bit of country comfort right to your doorstep.”
Mother Nature’s Farm (1663 E. Baseline Road, Gilbert) offers a quaint, city-close escape complete with a boutique petting zoo, mega slide, and a snack bar loaded with festive sweets like caramel apples and cotton candy.
At MacDonald’s Ranch (26540 N. Scottsdale Road), you can grab pumpkins after enjoying carnival games, a petting zoo, hayrides, and more.
Over in Mesa, Vertuccio Farms (4011 S. Power ROAd, Mesa) puts on a festive Fall Festival with a five-acre corn maze, mini golf, a robust pumpkin patch, and fresh veggies for sale – perfect for help with decorating or cooking up cozy fall meals.
**To find a farm near you, visit www.fillyourplate.org
Fall outdoor decorating doesn’t have to be cliche or over the top. In 2025, the direction is toward layering, texture, nature, and vintage character. Use pumpkins, corn stalks, scarecrows – but do so thoughtfully, balancing real and faux, bold and neutral, symmetry and asymmetry.
###
Homeowner Handbook | #FallDecorDelight
PODCAST
Our Weekly To Do on Fall decorating outside your home from pumpkins and plants to simple vintage items. Guests from the Hondo Rodeo Festival talk about the million dollar purse up for grabs featuring the best of the best rodeo riders. Can you super heat you home like super cooling in the summer? And more things happening around the House.
Broadcast Archive Page With Expanded Content
PHOTO CREDIT
- Getty Images
- Mortimer Farms
