Fall…Autumn…it’s a season so wonderful that it needed two names! And if you’re a fan of all things leaves, pumpkins, and more, then you’ve come to the right place. These upcycling ideas for autumn decor all started on thrift store shelves and will make your home feel like a Fall wonderland.
Plaid, Plaid, Plaid
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There’s just something special about old vacuum flasks, isn’t there? And while you may refer to all of them as a Thermos®, that’s a brand name and not a catchall term. Either way, though, a collection of them works wonderfully in your autumn decor, doesn’t it?
Pumpkin Succulent Centerpiece
Image credit: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.
How’s this for a fresh take on autumn decor? Peachy oranges and dusty greens are a fun take on a Fall color palette in this pumpkin-succulent centerpiece idea. I love how fresh and vibrant it looks with that heirloom pumpkin.
Autumn Decor with Gold Leaf
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Wooden leaf dishes are pretty enough on their own. But the addition of multi-color gold leaf flakes capture the entire spectrum of autumn colors in one single craft project.
Boho Basket Pumpkin
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Depending on the shape, some wicker baskets are perfect for upcycling into pumpkins for fall decorating. This one was particularly well-suited for the task and was upcycled into a “gourd-geous” Boho pumpkin with the help of some all-natural craft supplies.
Wool Blanket Bunting
Image credit: Lora Bloomquist.
If your wool blankets and sweaters didn’t make it through the summer without a few new moth holes, then look no further. Because this upcycled wool bunting idea is a WONDERFUL way to repurpose them as DIY autumn decor.
Modern and Elegant Fall Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Putting your own spin on something unexpected or curiously different from the thrift store is an easy way to elevate your autumn style. Like this fireplace display, for example– the folding candelabra, brass candlesticks, and vases (starting as clear glass) all came from local thrift stores.
Fall Harvest Wreath
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There’s nary a pumpkin or leaf in site on this wreath, but one look and you know it’s for autumn. It’s simply styled without much pomp or circumstance, but the feathers, wheat shafts, and plaid ribbon tie it all together nicely.
Sunflowers for Autumn
Image credit: Organized Clutter.
Sunflowers are a lovely way to embrace autumn at home, without diving headfirst into pumpkin territory. And a leaf-shaped tray from the thrift store is ideal for a goldenrod makeover. Perfect for autumn decor that’s sunny and bright!
Cozy Weaving
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Fiber crafts from days gone by, such as weaving, have made a huge comeback in recent years. We can probably thank all the home-based time from the past few years for that! And there are some surprising thrift store finds that can be upcycled into looms like this– for a fresh take on modern fall decor.
Autumn Acorns in Tweed
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Plush acorns made from tweed jackets are the unexpected fall craft you didn’t know you needed until now. And their cap? A thrifted salad bowl, believe it or not. Everything about this acorn started at a thrift shop!
Fall Tablescape
Image credit: Inspired by Charm.
Cork squares aren’t something you would normally think of as dining table decor. But when cut into Fall-themed shapes and painted in a color block style, they are suddenly an inexpensive and incredibly chic way to decorate your festive autumn table.
Amber Glass Bottles
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Clear glass bottles from the thrift or even your recycle bin are beautifully upcycled into two-tone Fall bottles inspired by the changing leaves. Because who doesn’t love autumn decor inspired by Fall foliage?
Metal “Pumpkins”
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
True, neither of these thrifted pieces started out as pumpkins- and they certainly weren’t in trendy copper, either. But simple makeovers transformed them into a fresh spin on metal pumpkins for my autumn decorating needs.
Thrifted Autumn Decor
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
Sometimes, autumn decor is as easy as a quick vignette using a handful of your thrifted finds. Pumpkins, owls, and a fall color palette work beautifully in this Fall centerpiece idea, much of which was thrifted. And that great flower bouquet with oranges and fuchsia add such a cheery pop of autumn colors.
Flannel Leaves
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Fall and flannel go together like peanut butter and jelly- so it’s no surprise to see it on a fall wreath! This abstract take on a leaf wreath can be used with any fabrics you have on hand and is a fabulous scrap buster project, as well.
The tutorial for this flannel leaf wreath can be found in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, by Sarah Ramberg.
Autumn Decor with Velvet Pumpkins
Image credit: House of Hawthornes.
There are lots of different tutorials for fabric pumpkins out there- and they all use different fabrics. But this one for velvet pumpkins is a particular favorite of mine. There’s something so elegant about the jewel tones of the velvet, and the addition of actual (dried) pumpkin stems puts these over the top.
Coastal Fall Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
If the calendar says August/September but the thermometer says Summer, this this transitional decor idea might be perfect for the time being. Creating coastal fall decor by encasing faux pumpkins in fishing net is the autumn decorating idea that you never knew you needed until now.
“Re-Tooled” Autumn Wreath
Image credit: Petticoat Junktion.
Rakes are usually reserved for gathering up leaves once the trees are bare. But if you have an old rake laying around or bought a new-and-improved version, then an old rake head is a fun and unexpected item to turn into a fall wreath.
Pumpkin Pillow
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Adding some Fall-themed throw pillows to your sofas and beds is always a fun way to add touches of autumn to your home. And in this case, a (clean) thrift store pillow was paired up with a (clean) thrift store flannel shirt.
Upcycle Ideas for Autumn Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you’ve been inspired to look twice at those thrift store shelves now! This collection of upcycled autumn decor is proof that there are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating for the season. And that decorating for autumn can take on a variety of color palettes and textures, too.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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