Thrifting for Fall home decor (or upcycled projects that become fall decor) is one of my favorite things to do. In my opinion, it’s the best season of the year and there are simply SO MANY WAYS to decorate for autumn. The following upcycle projects are just scratching the surface of ideas out there, but they’re a great place to start on your Fall home decor.
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.
Modern and Elegant Fall Home 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.
Dining Table Decor
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.
School Supplies
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
While not as commonly used in Fall decorating as other elements, the concept of “back-to-school” is always associated with the fall season. Vintage school supplies, such as old typewriters, globes, and wooden school desks, are a unique way to decorate for the season.
Upcycling ideas for school supplies can be as simple as a vase filled with colored pencils or a garland made with vintage flash cards.
Fall Home Decor with 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.
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 fall home decor.
Decorative Signs
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
There are a LOT of great Fall quotes out there that are perfect for capturing on festive fall signs. This quote says it all, doesn’t it? And such a thrifty sign to make because it was made from a thrifted cabinet door.
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.
Feathers for Fall Home Decor
Image credit: Salvaged Living.
Feathers go hand-in-hand with Fall home decor, don’t they? And this modern Boho take on a Fall mantle is such a fresh way to celebrate the season. Vintage vases and bottles are filled with feathers and the feather artwork is created on cardboard boxes that were destined for the recycle bin.
Autumn Door Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This wreath is a great example of fall decor without all the oranges and golds. A more neutral take on autumn decorating, this wreath started as a picture frame from the thrift store.
Stained Glass Pumpkins
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Clear glass pumpkins are easy to find at home/craft stores and even your local thrift stores. But transforming them into stained glass pumpkins is not only fun and easy, but makes them quite magical at night.
Tweed Acorns
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!
Wooden Fall Leaves
Image credit: The Ponds Farmhouse.
For a break from all the typical Fall home decor ideas involving pumpkins, here’s one with leaves. Wooden leaves from a craft store are paired with thrifted book pages for this vintage-inspired Fall decorating 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.
Liquor Bottle Gourds
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Some of us hunt for bourbon based on the price point or distillery name. But a few of us might hunt for it based on the kind of bottle shape that can be upcycled into pumpkins and gourds. Strange? Yes. Fun to make and quite adorable? Absolutely.
Fall Home Decor for the Wall
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
A ready-made burlap canvas from the craft store can be decorated in any number of ways. But for Fall, a fuzzy flannel pumpkin from an old shirt is just delightful for your wall or on a display easel.
Fall Tray
Image credit: Domestically Speaking.
Speaking of plaid, it’s definitely a pattern that speaks Fall and autumn, eh? From flannel shirts to wool scarves, plaids are found everywhere at this time of year. And, in the case of this upcycled tray, even in Fall home decor.
Vintage Toy Trucks
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Decorating toy trucks, especially of the vintage variety, has been super trendy for the past few years. And while it’s often associated with Christmas decorations, a fall version with mini pumpkins like this is just as cute.
Easy and Upcycled Fall Home Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
See, what did I tell you? There are tons of items from the thrift store that you can transform and upcycle into autumn home decor. While some are easier and quicker than others, upcycled ideas like these ensure that your Fall decor is unique and memorable- and doesn’t look like everyone else’s. I hope you found some fabulous inspiration in this collection because…it’s Fall, y’all!
Craft on!
S
Want to be notified when I publish my next upcycling project tutorial?
Join me on Social Media:
PIN ME!
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.
Have a question or like what you see? Please let me know!