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Fall décor.
Does that phrase conjure up images of cheap paper skeletons, black and orange everything, and expensive animatronic lawn mummies?
It doesn’t have to.
In fact, you can create glamorous, understated fall décor by creating mashups of seasonal and non-seasonal décor pieces. As a result, your fall décor will blend beautifully with the rest of your home, providing a hint of fall. You’ll also save money by using some of the décor you already have.
Curate a décor library
When mixing seasonal and non-seasonal décor, first create a library of pieces to choose from.
I pulled together some of my favorite pieces, both fall décor and pieces that aren’t season-specific. Here’s what I started with:
Not the most amazing picture, I know. But it gets the point across. Here’s the rundown, from left to right:
- 3 candle holders
- Gold beaded placemat
- 3 craft pumpkins that I glued rhinestones onto years ago (Orange, off-white, and black)
- A white resin pumpkin with gold stem
- Glass bowl and bag of mixed mini gourds (Check your grocery store’s produce aisle)
- A mirrored tray
- Shallow glazed glass bowl with easel
- Black glass candy dish
- A porcelain tray with gold base and Greek key detail
Let me say right now that this stuff is not expensive. The candle holders came from Hobby Lobby during a 50% off sale. The white pumpkin and both trays came from Marshall’s. And that black glass candy dish? Thrift store. 5 bucks.
Though they aren’t pictured above, I used Luminara flameless candles as well. (Affiliate link) Luminara flameless candles are battery-operated candles that use an LED light and magnet to simulate a real flame. They also come with a remote control – so cool. You can find them on Amazon by clicking the affiliate link above, or at select Bath & Body Works stores.
Décor library tips
When gathering your items, keep the overall color palette of your home in mind. choose fall colors that blend well with your furniture and other décor.
Look through your non-seasonal décor and pull out items that evoke the feeling you’re going for. An item that’s sweet and fun in a different décor setting might turn macabre or dramatic when mixed with the right pieces.
Take my big green candle holder, for instance. It’s cute, rustic, and a little bit French country. Paired with some of the items on the table though, it can look like a spooky, run-down antique.
That’s the best thing about mixing and matching seasonal and non-seasonal décor. The pieces work together to achieve the overall mood or look you’re shooting for.
Create your fall décor mashups
Once you’ve assembled your décor library, it’s time to start mixing and matching. You’re seriously going to love doing this!
There isn’t really much of a formula when it comes to creating these mashups. Just experiment with height, color, and number of items. Play around and have fun. Remember to include both seasonal and non-seasonal pieces in each mashup. Take pictures of the ones you like, and use them around your home.
Here are some of mine:
Candle holders + jeweled pumpkins + Luminara candles
This grand mixture of pumpkins looks beautiful from the inside as well as the outside. I really like the play on height, texture, and color. I especially love that it says “Halloween” without looking cheesy or overdone.
In case you missed it above, the pumpkins are craft pumpkins from Hobby Lobby. I used jewelry glue to stick some rhinestones on them, and bam… Quick and pretty fall décor.
By the way, if you’re loving my spindle table, I got it at Home Goods. I wish they would just let me live in their store!
Shallow bowl + candy dish + Luminara candles + mini gourds
When combined with the orange bowl and candles, the candy dish takes a macabre turn. I added in some mini gourds to make it look a little more friendly.
It evokes fun and spooky feelings, but stops short of weird and creepy.
Candy dish lid + shallow bowl + gourds
3 of the pieces above combined in a completely different way. I put the candy dish lid in the center of the shallow bowl. Next, I arranged the mini gourds around it, sort of imperfectly. It’s mysterious, completely unexpected, and decidedly fall.
Candy dish + gourds + beaded placemat + Luminara candles
I popped one of the mini gourds inside the candy dish, put it on the beaded placemat, and surrounded it with Luminara candles. The gourd almost looks like a flower inside the candy dish. The candles highlight the textured facets on the dish. It’s classy, in a sinister sort of way.
Mirrored tray + candy dish + Luminara candles
The black and gold of the candy dish and mirrored tray is at once refined and treacherous. They look great on their own, or with the soft glow of the Luminara candles. They look whimsical sitting on my teal buffet.
White pumpkin + Greek key tray + Luminara candles
This one is probably my favorite, and will likely be at the center of my Thanksgiving table scape. With or without the candles, it’s a little bit stunning.
This mashup is a great example of how effective a simple color palette can be. Gold and white carry all the way through the vignette. The effect is streamlined and glamorous.
Here it is on my dining room table, just for fun:
Candle holders + jeweled pumpkins + shallow bowl + Luminara candles
This has been my focal fall décor for the past few years. Even though each piece is different, it still feels balanced. Evenly spacing the pieces plays a big role in achieving that balance.
Mirrored tray + candy dish + glass bowl + gourds
This gourd-filled bowl is a modern take on a cornucopia. The candy dish gives the vignette a dark flare.
Did the asymmetry of this mashup keep your eye moving? Asymmetric vignettes add interest and personality to a room. Try creating an asymmetric mashup with your décor pieces by using items that aren’t similar in terms of height, color, or shape.
A closer look at Luminara candles
Though this fall vignette in my kitchen isn’t part of the mashup, it does give you a good look at the Luminara candles. They are turned off on the left, and turned on in the photo on the right:
Again, this is not a real flame inches away from my ultra-cool popcorn ceiling.
Luminara candles are battery-operated (Affiliate link). They use an LED light, plastic tab, and magnets to simulate a flickering flame. If you have to have some for yourself, check out the affiliate link above.
Oh, and those super-cute ceramic pumpkins? $1-$5 each at Target. You heard me right.
Putting it All Together
Creating fall décor mashups is easy and fun. Here’s a summary of the tips above:
- Curate a library of seasonal and non-seasonal décor to choose from
- Experiment with mixing pieces of different height, color, and number
- Have fun and play around to create unique vignettes
- Include both seasonal and non-seasonal décor items in each mashup
- Combine pieces in unexpected ways to add interest
- Consider sticking to a color palette for a streamlined, glamorous feel
- Play with spacing to achieve a balanced (or unbalanced) look
- Add personality by combining dissimilar items for an asymmetric effect
- Take photos of your favorite mashups, and reassemble them in focal points around your home
I hope you’ve enjoyed this look at styling fall décor in mashups with non-seasonal pieces. Mashups keep seasonal décor upscale and steer it away from tacky territory. How do you combine seasonal and non-seasonal décor? Let me know in the comments below!
P.S. – Want even more tips for fall decorating? Check out my post on creating classy fall décor!