Fall Dining Room Decorating Made Easy
I’m back. Did ya miss me?
It’s a fresh new week and I’m here to share an easy, stress free, unfussy Fall table. It’s Fall Dining Room Decorating Made Easy! I showed you a peek at my intended centerpiece on Facebook a bit ago, and it’s exactly as effortless & affordable as I promised. I’m really focused on keeping decorating enjoyable and not spending a fortune. Especially on seasonal decor. If decorating without feeling like you’ve got to invest in a pumpkin patch sounds like something you’d be interested in… keep reading. The Autumn leaves were free ,and the gorgeous Red Pears were enjoyed afterwards!
Meet my free to me centerpiece! This centerpiece is comprised of three elements. A wood trough box, Fall leaves/branches & candles.
TO CREATE YOUR OWN YOU WILL NEED:
- 3, Dollar Tree Candles. (I wanted to use 5, but couldn’t find my extras… and figured 3 was good enough)
- A trough box (I made mine from free pallet wood). [Just CLICK HERE for the very simple tutorial]
- Fall Leaves, branches, natural foliage. We have zero Fall color on our property. I harvested mine from the big brush clean up pile on my street, and I’m completely proud of that! I just made sure to snip from the top.
Simply position your trough box, fill with leaves and nestle in candles. You’re done!
Next, I arranged my place settings. And again, I used what I had on-hand and available. I used casual, chippy style chargers, and when I bought the napkins at HomeGoods, I purposely picked a neutral design. I’ve had the dishes for many years, and the flatware is Better Homes & Gardens.
- TIP: I picked up coasters as a less expensive alternative to the wood slice chargers, and used them as an accent. You still get that feel, but for $6.99 instead of $16.99 each.
Did I think I wanted white baby boo pumpkins? Yes.
Could I find any here in town? Nope.
Am I secretly glad? Yes!
Because I ended up loving the rich, Autumn berry of these Red Pears. Plus, I proved to myself that there are other ways to welcome the Fall season, and get that same feeling without using pumpkins.
Now, I love pumpkins. I love seeing those porches filled to overflowing with stack upon stack of pumpkins lining the steps, with Mums nestled in between. But I don’t want to spend a lot of my money on something that is ultimately going to rot.
I could have painted orange mini pumpkins white, I’ve done it before. And it’s not really hard… but I was really sticking to my “don’t make more work for yourself motto”. I also probably should have crafted some place cards, but I’ll let you visit some other bloggers for those. I’m still a beginner tablescaper, so I’m sticking to simple.
I really had fun decorating my mantel. I feel like it’s been a long time since a mantel naturally spilled out of me. I didn’t have a plan, or fight it. I just let it be what it wanted to. I started with my Mr. Fox and the rest happened on it’s own.
- TIP: When you visit HomeGoods, don’t forget the clearance isle. I would have missed him if I skipped it, and I never saw him when he was regular price. On sale, he was only $14.99
I used my everlasting velvet pumpkins I picked up a few years ago from the Safeway floral department, one of my buffalo check fabric pumpkins, 2 – Dollar Tree burlap pumpkins, more free leaves, a few thrifted goodies, and some of the gourds and bits from that big bag of vase filler I bought.
The rest is on the coffee table. [CLICK HERE to visit my Fall living room and see]. It was such a great deal!
It’s warm & homey… and it feels just right.
- TIP: Using a matching or coordinating element (like I did with the Fall leaves) on your table & mantel will help marry them, and keep your look flowing and cohesive.
I wonder how many cups of coffee.. or hot cocoa, or perhaps nightcaps, were drank in these old battered copper mugs? I’ll bet Morrie could tell me.
I often wonder about the story of things? I think that is something Jim and I both love about small town picking. We hear so many stories. And we meet some wonderful, kind, interesting, lovely people.
Even when we don’t find anything that needs to come home with us, we always leave with something.
Oh! And I thought of something, there is a bonus to decorating with pears…
You can eat them.
Couldn’t resist another chance to peek at our little owl.
I dressed the inside of the door with my clearance pumpkin wreath. One, because I can enjoy it more. And two, that way, it’s safe from all the crazy spiders outside. They are not laying a web on this!
So glad I grabbed it at the end of the season. Sometimes it’s hard to think about decorating for a holiday that has already passed, but it was such a steal, I knew I’d be glad I did when Fall rolled back around.
CHAIRS – FIND SIMILAR [HERE, HERE & HERE]
Do you do after-holiday shopping?
What is you best score ever?
Thank you, as always, for popping by the cottage to visit.
I’ll be back Wednesday to share the kitchen & the sun room with you! And some others bloggers are joining in, so it should be extra fun. There will only be five of us, so a nice cozy get-together. And they love vintage stuff too. I think you’ll love what we will all be sharing.
SOURCES:
I provide easy, clickable links for your shopping convenience. Occasionally, some links may be affiliate. That means I’ve shared the direct source with you, and if you make a purchase, I make a tiny commission. However, your price never changes because of this. I only share things I’ve bought and trust, and love!
- My Dining Chairs: unavailable in my color [Galvanized, CLICK HERE
- Buffalo Check Pillow Covers: under $7!! [here]
- Jute Rug: 5 X 7 [here] 7.6 X 9.6 [here] and my size, the 8.6 X 11.6 [here]
- Wreath, Fox Art, Table Linens, Glass Vase, Candle, Basket: HomeGoods
- If you want to know abut anything I didn’t include, just ask in a comment.
Sharing helps & any sharing is appreciated ~Shannon
More Ideas & Inspiration
DIY Network Ultimate Retreat Home Tour
Morris Manor Farmhouse Home Tour
Holiday Housewalk Christmas at the Cottage
Christmas Guest Bedroom at The Little Cottage
Delightfully Farmhouse Flavored Home Tour
DIY Farm Table Build Plans and Makeover Ideas
The Little Cottage Bathroom Makeover
Vintage Cottage Guest Bedroom Makeover
I love the Mr. Fox painting. He needs to become your “signature” piece and keep him out year round in honor of the name Fox Hollow Cottage. 🙂
Oh but wouldn’t a little she-fox in a flower crown be so pretty for Spring/Summer 😉
And a sly Fox in a mask for Halloween.
I may need a collection…
Shannon,
I love – ADORE – your entry/dining room decor! I like the red pears on the wood slices much better than white pumpkins! They look so festive and add just enough color to the place settings to make one take a good look! Should I say, “Eyecatching?” I love that buffalo plaid black and white pumpkin. Your pumpkin wreath of neutral pumpkins/wheat is lovely. I’d keep it inside too! I often hang a wreath on the inside of my front door!
Isn’t it fun to enjoy them indoors?
I have an older, heartier one on the front door.
I just love them inside where I can enjoy them ~ Happy Fall!
I love the pop of color with the pears! Can I ask where you found the fox garland on the mantle?
Your place looks amazing and welcoming!
You sure can, I picked that up at Ross, about a month or so ago.
And thank you 🙂
Love all your decorating! The mantel and buffalo checked pillows are great.
Thank you very much – Happy Fall!
Love the fox picture!!
Betty, I sure did too!!
How could you NOT collect Mr Fox? He’s right at home there. He can change the seasons easily with a vinyl cling words, or fresh sprig on his hat! Love it!
Oh great idea!! I’d never have thought of vinyl lettering 😉
So smart Barb!!
I love the fox ❤️❤️……and the pears ……and the coasters.
Thank you.. thank you.. and thank you 😉
Love it all! It really does seem senseless to spend a lot of money on pumpkins that are very temporary!
Oh I kinda want too… I love the look, especially on porches… I just can’t bring myself to do it. lol 😉
I am an after the season shopper. I hate to pay full price for anything…does that make me cheap?? you betcha! lol I have scored many things…like a PB Christmas tree topper,a huge mirrored gold star,for like 75% off . to name just one. I like to see how much money I actually can save during my scavenger hunts.LOL… You are so good at using what you have and I really appreciate you sharing your home with us
My mom says we should refer to ourselves as “frugal”. hahaha
In me, the cheap runs deep.
Completely off subject question ? What kind of wood is your flooring ? Is it beveled edges ? I am looking at something very similar but my husband isn’t a fan. I love it. Commence the struggle lol
Do not get floors anything like mine! LOL.
I’d prefer a wider plank, more casual look, and a lighter mid tone.
I do like the matte finish.
My floors are horrible. We bought what we thought was the best floor option we could find and afford at the time.
They are a sub standard product.
Oh no! Can you elaborate more on the floor without getting into trouble ? Mine is a 5 inch plank throughout. ( or email)
I just wouldn’t suggest such a dark color. And like I said, I would prefer something a bit more casual.
The exact floor we got, was purchased at Lumber Liquidators, and I would not feel confident in shopping there again.
The wood was left for over a month to acclimate to our home, and we still had severe shrinkage.
It scratches and dents easily as well. Simple dining chairs will leave half moon indents.
I’d actually suggest a good quality laminate, or tile that mimics wood. It’s so much less stress, and more durable.
The only wood floor I’d get again, would be a very casual style, that dings and nicks would only enhance.
Shannon, what a simple and inexpensive table you put together. Love the dried leaves and dollar tree candles. Also the wood coasters and pears. Our baseball team is in the playoffs, so of course we have our team wreath on our front door for now…I’ve been dying to put my fall wreath up…now I can on the INSIDE! Duh? Thanks for the reminder. Love your posts!
YAY for indoor wreaths 🙂 Enjoy, and good luck in the playoffs!!
Seriously, each and every picture of yours belongs in a magazine! Such a beautiful and inspiring Fall home! I love how you added copper … I must make one of your fabulous boxes … and adding the black/white checked pillows is perfect! Your Fall mantel is gorgeous, too! Oh, and your photography skills are on point, friend!
hahahahaha. After I weed through the 100’s I take.
Only the best for you. xo
Beautiful. Love the red pears too very pretty.
Happy New Week.
Kris
Thank you!! Happiest of Fall to you Kris 🙂
Love your attitude and style when it comes to decorating for the season. Keeping it simple, enjoyable, and pretty is what we should all strive for when it comes to our homes.
Thanks! You know, I want to enjoy it, and not have it become 100% a job, even though technically it is.
I also want to stay true to what I’d be doing, if I weren’t blogging. I want to be as authentic as possible.