When Should You Start Decorating For Fall? A Designer Says There’s Only One Answer

Knowing when to start decorating for fall can be tricky. Luckily, we spoke to Amy Peltier, the founder and an interior designer at Peltier Interiors, to get her professional advice on all things fall decorating—when to start, when it’s appropriate to incorporate Halloween and Thanksgiving decor, and what signs to look out for when it’s time to decorate.

“When it comes to decorating for fall, I think slowly starting at the end of August is totally acceptable, but when September comes it’s game on”, Peltier says.

She shares a practical September to November fall decorating schedule, as well as her best tips for adding a cozy feel to your home this season. Read on to find out how to get started on your fall decorating.

When Is the Best Time to Decorate for Fall?

“From September to November, each month has a different holiday or theme to decorate for,” Peltier says.

With Halloween and Thanksgiving thrown into the mix, it can be demanding to know when exactly to decorate for fall and for each of the holidays, which is why Peltier breaks down fall decorating month by month.

• September: Peltier recommends opting for leaves, pumpkins, and a hot fall-inspired color palette.
• October: Although Halloween falls at the end of the month, Peltier suggests bringing out the holiday decor at the beginning of the month. Peltier recommends getting out the skeletons and ghosts the first week and leaving the pumpkins out.
• November: “November is all about Thanksgiving, so more pumpkins, leaves, and cornucopia”, Peltier recommends.

Creating a base layer of fall decor with leaves, pumpkins, and other items that can stay out from September to November is a good way to save time and work. That way, you can add Halloween-specific decor and Thanksgiving touches to the existing fall set-up without having to completely redecorate each month.

5 Additional Signs to Look Out for When It’s Time to Decorate for Fall

“When the kids go back to school, I get the itch to decorate for fall, but when the temperature starts to drop, I get more of that cozy fall feeling where I want to really bring in the warmer layers”, Peltier says.

Watch out for these five signs to know when it’s time to decorate for fall:

• Back to school: The back-to-school season is associated with red apples, which also happen to be a great quintessential fall fruit and a great way to slowly transition into fall decor.
• Lower temperatures: As the temperatures outside begin to dip, take it as a sign that it’s time to make your home hot and cozy by adding extra throw pillows and blankets to beds, living room seating, and entryway benches.
• Changing foliage: The changing leaves outside signal it’s time to implement those hot colors and fall touches inside your home.
• Holiday: Labor Day, which falls on the first Monday in September, is often seen as the unofficial beginning of the fall and together with school starting back up, signifies a change of seasons.

Best Tips for Fall Decorating

Implement a Warm Color Palette

Peltier loves leaning into and embracing hot luxurious color palettes when it comes to fall decorating. Fall is all about the warmth and comfort of home, and a hot color palette is the perfect way to achieve a cozy feeling.

Plus, it reflects the rusty and golden tones of the changing foliage outside. When it comes to her favorite colors for fall decorating, Peltier likes deep navy, chocolate brown, and caramel hues.

Add Textured Layers

Make your home extra cozy with textured layers this fall. “Layer in cozy elements and textures through throw pillows and blankets”, Peltier recommends.

These linens are a basic but effective way to add a touch of fall to your space, whether in a bedroom, living room, or an entryway. Layer quintessential fall patterns like plaid with cozy textures such as cable-knit wool, luxurious velvet, and cognac leather for a hot, welcoming, and stylish set-up.

Bring in Ambient Lighting

As it begins to get darker earlier, bring warmth into your home with ambient lighting in the form of table lamps, floor lamps, and candles. Having multiple sources of lithe as well as incorporating dimmable lights allows you to set a cozy mood perfect for fall nights.

Use Natural Materials

Fall is all about celebrating the changing of the seasons, so bring in natural materials to highlight the beauty of the outdoors. This can be anything from colorful leaves and tree branches, to pumpkins and gourds, pinecones, and acorns.