7 Red Flags To Watch For When Buying Fall Home Decor
Fall decorating season is upon us, and I’ve seen homeowners make some cringe-worthy purchases over my 15 years as a designer. Before you fill your cart with pumpkins and leaf garlands, let’s talk about what to avoid.
These red flags will save you money, storage headaches, and the embarrassment of decor that looks dated before the leaves finish falling. The suggestions below are based on personal design experience. Always decorate in a way that makes your home feel like yours.
1. Flimsy Materials That Fall Apart
Ever grabbed a beautiful centerpiece only to have a leaf detach in your hand? That’s your first clue to put it back. Cheap materials might look good in the store’s strategic lighting, but they’ll disappoint at home.
Quality fall decor should feel substantial. Test items by gently tugging decorative elements, nothing should come loose.
Remember, you’ll likely reuse these pieces for years, so that $5 savings now could cost you replacement purchases later.
2. Ultra-Trendy Items With Short Shelf Life
Those neon orange pumpkins with sassy phrases might seem adorable right now, but trust me, they’ll feel painfully outdated by next autumn. Trendy decor is the fast fashion of home design, exciting briefly, then embarrassing forever.
Instead, hunt for classic pieces with staying power. Neutral-colored gourds, simple wreaths, and traditional patterns will serve you year after year. The best fall decor grows more charming with age, not more awkward.
3. Color Schemes That Fight Your Home
Where did that gorgeous burnt orange pillow go? Oh right, it looks terrible against your teal couch. Buying fall decor without considering your existing color palette is like inviting a party crasher into your home.
Take photos of your rooms before shopping. When you spot that perfect pumpkin centerpiece, check if its colors complement your space. Contrary to popular belief, fall decor doesn’t require traditional orange and brown, burgundy, cream, and forest green work beautifully in many homes.
4. Oversized Decorations That Dominate Rooms
How often have I walked into clients’ homes to find enormous scarecrows practically sitting down to dinner with them? Scale matters tremendously in fall decorating, friends.
Outsized items quickly transform from statement pieces to space-hogging nuisances. Before purchasing larger decorations, measure your intended display area.
Will people need to squeeze past your giant cornucopia to reach the bathroom? Does that massive wreath make your front door look tiny? When in doubt, go smaller than you think you need.
5. Artificial Scents That Overpower Guests
If your pumpkin spice candle can be smelled from the driveway, we need to talk. Artificially scented items often contain chemicals that trigger headaches and allergies, not exactly the warm welcome you’re aiming for.
Opt for subtle, natural fragrances instead. Cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices, and real pine cones bring authentic seasonal scents without the chemical overload.
Your guests will appreciate being able to taste their apple cider without competing with an artificial pumpkin air assault.
6. Storage Nightmares Waiting To Happen
That intricate cornucopia arrangement looks splendid now, but where will you store it in December? Bulky, oddly-shaped decorations become serious storage problems faster than you can say “attic space.”
Consider storage before purchasing. Items that nest, stack, or flatten earn my designer stamp of approval. Glass pumpkins might be gorgeous, but they require bubble wrap and dedicated boxes.
Fabric pumpkins, on the other hand, squish perfectly into storage bins and emerge unscathed next year.
7. Faux Natural Elements That Look Fake
The allure of eternal autumn is tempting, yet faux natural elements can feel artificial. Plastic leaves and flowers with unnatural colors diminish the authentic feel of fall.
Seek out realistic alternatives or mix faux with real elements for a convincing look. The texture, color, and arrangement should mimic nature’s beauty.
Choosing quality faux options enhances the appeal without sacrificing authenticity.
