The other day Free and Cheap had a conversation with the stairway about my fall entry.
They were talking about fall decorating ideas.
Have you ever met Free or Cheap before?
Seriously.
They are so cute and so—well—so irresistible.
We are BFF’s.
The discussion was all about how to decorate for free. See here’s the thing. I’ve been losing weight and buying new clothes (you can see my unboxing video here) and I didn’t have a lot of spare change left over for fall decor.
So instead?
I went all free and cheap and came up with simple, easy ideas to decorate the front entryway.
The conversation started with these metal leaves I found in the bottom of a fall tub.
Well….actually…..it all started with an idea for these mirrors.
An idea I came up with to add a little fall going up the stairs.
Which inspired the fall entryway conversation.
Between some pumpkins, a throw, some fall leaves and a whole lot of Free and Cheap.
Top Five Ways To Decorate With Free and Cheap
(1) Tuck leaves into pictures
See these stems?
I had a vase of them in the living room.
I needed some fall on the mirrored staircase, so I just tucked a few leaves behind the mirrors on the stairs.
I love the texture that it adds and it took about five minutes.
(2) Mix up your textures
See the velvet next to paper?
It makes both surfaces look fancy.
Here are a few more of my favorite combinations:
- reclaimed wood and wool
- birch bark and concrete
- jute and vintage patina
- woven baskets and metal
And on and on and texture mixing on. The key is to pair two different things together in your decorating.
(3) Add a throw
Okay. I know what you are thinking.
Hello Captain Obvious. Everyone knows to add a throw.
And you would be right.
Well, everyone, but me. I’ve decorated this entryway for three years and never knew how to add a little pattern to the space.
Until I decided to toss a throw from the family room over the bench.
See how that simple decorating idea makes such a big difference.
(4) Find places to add pumpkins
The key to this space?
There are pumpkins everywhere.
- I’ve stacked them in this wire basket to create a topiary
- I’ve put them on the stairs
- I’ve added them to stacks of books
- I’ve put them at the end of the bench
- I’ve filled a basket at the bottom of the stairs with overflowing pumpkins
Never underestimate the power of the pumpkin.
(5) Decorate your bookcases and hutches
You know all the little things and thrift store finds you collect over the years that don’t really have a home?
Let them shine on the bookcases.
My sister made me these felted acorns years ago.
I tuck them inside the hutch in the entry along with mini pumpkins and pinecones and other small fall decor items.
The entryway is finished.
And the best part?
It DIDN’T COST A DIME.
Life is good.
But let’s give credit where credit is due.
Stand back and high-five Free and Cheap…..
…..after all this entryway would be nothing without them 🙂
Your foyer is understated but elegant— staircase is gorgeous but that newel post— wow! And who doesn’t love free and easy!!!
Free, easy and cheap are all fabulous! I love the foyer, I've never seen the mirrors going up the staircase! They look fabulous.
Never underestimate the power of a pumpkin. You are right!!! And I LOVE those felt acorns! Would your sister be willing to share that adorable creation with us? Also, is the rub in front of your bench a grey and cream? What is the source on this, KariAnne? Thank you! Have a thankful Thursday! 😊
It shoukd have said RUG not rub!!!🤣
😊
Due to the restrictive shopping I used shopping my house this year and "free and cheap" applauded the results. My fall decor is just as pretty as years I have bought new items. Basically what I did was just move things to areas they had never been used in like copper accents on my mantle, a pretty vignette on the coffee table also with some copper and really sticking to less is more. Have fun shopping for new clothes. Your weight loss is great. Such an accomplishment during this stressful time. I have definitely gained the Covid 19 !! You rock girl!
I am best friends with "free and cheap"! I love the beautiful stems tucked behind the mirrors, I would be tempted to leave it up year round! So lovely! Hope you have a great week!
I love it, so simple, elegant and perfect.
Instead of saying "free" or "cheap" Iadies, I say "curated"! I just added some interest to my stairs going down to our basement - everything was curated except a new little rack with 4 black hooks on it from Home Depot. I was going to make it myself, but honestly, the price was so low that I snapped it up. I have a basket hanging on it with Dollar Store flowers, as well as 3 hats from my husband's baseball hat collection - he has 100 - He has them all hanging up in the basement. I picked the colors of the hats to match the rest of the items. It took about 1/2 hour to stage and including the flowers it came to under $35. I had an old open cabinet hanging on the wall that I had bought about 35 years ago for next to nothing - it has shelves and dividers in it where I placed items like large pinecones and bird nests that I have had for years. I did make a $5 purchase at the Dollar Store - 5 shiny ceramic pumpkins in orange, gold and a bronze color that I put on my foyer table. I set them on a stack of 4 large ceramic gold leaves that I bought at an antique shop 35 years ago. I used to have them hanging on plate holders on my living room wall. It's nice to look around and see what you have and how you can repurpose them.
What great tips my friend! We all need to think about our budgets, and if we can decorate for free, all the better. This is one reason I love fall so much... you can decorate with what's right outside! Thanks for sharing!
I love your ideas! I never thought about tucking leaves behind the mirrors but it looks gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration! Shelley
Ah, I have the opposite problem. Free and Cheap regularly visit my home but sometimes .... I need to loosen up the purse strings and spend a little money. But my Free and Cheap inner self applauds all you have done! Speaking of applauding you .... you ROCK with your weight loss. So from one friend to another who has been on a weight loss/maintenance journey of her own through the years .... I recommend you make a plan NOW for how you will keep the weight off. It's all too easy to revert to bad eating habits (again, saying this because I've been there!) and lack of exercise if you don't have a specific, achievable plan in place.
Love the Stitch Fix video. So proud of you for losing so much weight. Please tell me the plan or company you are using for this weight loss. Thanks and love, love your site.
So glad you are treating yourself to some new clothes. What you are doing is HARD work and rewarding yourself is necessary....you know so your clothes don't fall off...and because you have earned it!!!!!!!!!!! BTW, I love your free and cheap decor:)
Love the box reveal! Sorry was not on for the live version. I liked everything but the first top. :0 And I love free, cheap and repurposed items. My favorite way to decorate!
[…] Check out these great ideas at https://thistlewoodfarms.com/free-fall-decorating-ideas-for-the-entryway/ […]
Love this so much! I am inspired to decorate without stocking up on seasonal items from the store. That said, I would love to know where you purchased that beautiful throw?! I may have a problem with wanting more throws!
I love your leaves on your mirrors, and all the rest, is what Fall is all about, wrapping up to stay warm and pumpkins and those beautiful colored leaves.Your staircase is a beauty.
I just finished watching the Stitch Fix Video and it was so warm and fuzzy. Seeing you getting so proud of losing the 25+ pounds is a "happy thing" in this world of chaos. You go girl!! Love your website!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your entryway decor! It's really and truly perfect, KA. Well done - and "Free $.99?" Yeup. Awesome!
KariAnne, I love what you have done in your entry with Fall decor! The leaves you have placed on the stairway mirrors are so pretty! You just have so many great decor tips! Thanks for sharing everything with us! Also, loved seeing what was in your box! Cute stuff! You look great so just enjoy all your new clothes! Blessings!
OMGosh, I loved meeting "free" and "cheap"!! And I'd like to introduce them to my dear friend "clearance", affectionately known as Clarence!!! xoxo
Love the pretty simplicity! Cleaning today, and will reward myself with decor time afterwards. Thanks for the inspiration!
Simply gorgeous! 🍂
[…] gorgeous Fall Entryway is from our friend KariAnne of Thistlewood Farms. She has the very best tips and ideas for your […]
[…] account, where he takes pics with all the adorable pups he meets on his routes • fall decorating ideas for the entryway • free art lessons on youtube for homeschoolers • delicious white chili recipe […]