Fall has finally arrived, and I am celebrating by creating frugal eclectic fall decor in my dining room! I browsed all the closets and cabinets in my house looking for beautiful things for the table. Then I headed outside to see what was still blooming for some super frugal flower arrangements. I’m really proud of how it all came together, and I hope it inspires you to give it a try as well!

When Fall Doesn’t Feel Like Fall

Fall in Louisiana still baffles my yankee born and raised self. I remember the first football game I went to when I moved here my senior year of high school. Getting ready as every sensible Ohioan does, I put on my jeans, tennis shoes, and oversized hoodie. I was even looking forward to hot chocolate to keep my hands warm, just like football games at home.

I can still remember the intense feeling of regret as I sat roasting in those bleachers. Sweat was pouring off my brow. There I found myself rethinking every decision I had made at the age of 18, leading to that moment. I was so far from anything familiar, and light years away from two things that just didn’t make sense without each other: football and fall weather. Like actual fall weather that was cool and crisp, and hoodie appropriate.

Learning to Reconcile My Expectations With My Reality

Have you ever noticed that during this time of year, everywhere you look, you see picturesque, autumnal scenes that clearly took place somewhere in Vermont or Maine? It simply isn’t like that here in northeast Louisiana. We live in a sub-tropical environment, so I am learning to reconcile my expectations with my reality. I can embrace our not-fall-weather, and create cozy fall vibes in my house anyway! It’s a beautiful (and difficult…) thing to discover you don’t have to be the servant of circumstances!

Creating Frugal Eclectic Fall Decor

As always, my goal in creating frugal eclectic fall decor, or any decor for that matter, is to make something lovely without breaking the bank. I decorated my entire dining room without spending one penny, because I used stuff I already had on hand. Of course, I did purchase these things at some point, so if you are feeling inspired, I’ll include some links to similar items at the end of this post.

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Here’s a List of Every Day Items to Create Frugal Fall Decor

I used a lot of the same principles that I shared last year in my Ten Tips for Frugal Christmas Decor, so definitely check that out as well! Also, be sure to check out Starla’s Fall Tablescape on a Budget!

1.) Textiles!

Tablecloths & Cloth Napkins

I love textiles and I try to collect nice tablecloths and cloth napkins throughout the year. The starting off point for my fall dining room decor was actually the table cloth. I bought it last year at Target, but never ended up using it. Usually, I’m not a fan of orange, but I loved the combination of warm, autumnal colors with this cool blue. I have a lot of blue in my house, so it just works!

Shop Your Closet for Unexpected Fall Decor!

I love the look of big, fluffy hygge blankets draped over furniture. It feels really appropriate for this time of year. So, as I was gathering items to start decorating, I thought about this blanket scarf. I bought it years ago for a trip to Colorado. Truthfully, it serves as home decor more than it’s intended purpose of keeping me warm! But it sure looks cozy! 

2.) Frugal Eclectic Fall Table Setting

Place Settings

When creating frugal eclectic fall decor, I like to think in terms of layers. For the place settings on the table, I started with gold chargers that I bought for $2 each at Hobby Lobby. I love how versatile they are! I also used them in this sweet easter table setting a few years ago. Next, I used white plates, because they go with everything. Lastly, the little ceramic pumpkins really pop against the white background, which I love!

Family Heirloom Stemware & Dollar Store Pressed Glass Tumblers 

When adding glassware to my fall tablescape, I definitely went eclectic. The goblets are from a set of crystal handed down to me from Chris’ great grandmama. They sat in a box for years, but when I redid my china cabinet, I decided they were too beautiful not to display. Don’t they look really pretty next to these blue pressed glass tumblers that I bought from Dollar General a couple of years ago?! I love the different levels of height, color and pattern they create together!

3.) For Frugal Fall Vibes, Let There Be Candlelight! 

As I mentioned, I used a lot of the same principles for decorating that I used for my Christmas post last year. My number one tip for Christmas was to use lights everywhere! I absolutely love the glow of Christmas lights, and I shamelessly use them year round. In creating this frugal eclectic fall decor, I couldn’t neglect this element! So, yes, let there by candle light! I used tea lights in recycled amber glass vitamin bottles. The mercury glass candle holders are from Dollar Tree. If you are interested in making some fall inspired crafts, our friend Jersey from Farmhouse Basic Collection has a tutorial for DIY mercury glass. Check it out! 

4.) What is Fall Decor Without Pumpkins?!

Of course we must have pumpkins! I have a growing collection of ceramic and glass blown pumpkins. It’s so fun how they add a little sparkle and bling to the table! We visited an artisan glass studio on one of our family vacations, and I so wanted to buy a pumpkin! They were truly stunning pieces of art! Also super expensive, so I passed. Not long after we got home, I was so excited to find glass blown pumpkins at Big Lots! The ceramic pumpkins were a treasure I snatched up from the Target Dollar Spot.

5.) Gifts from Nature

One of the best things you can do when creating frugal eclectic fall decor, is to take advantage of free gifts from nature. You can’t get any more frugal than free! I was able to make some really lovely floral arrangements using hydrangeas from our flowerbeds. They are accented with cascading clusters of berries from a Winged Sumac bush growing along our woods. (Thank you Heather for letting me know what it was called!)

A Delightful Surprise from the Compost! 

Something you always see in fall decor along with pumpkins, is a collection of gourds in varying sizes and wart-covered shapes. Every year I fight the urge to buy all the pumpkins and gourds. I love them, but they eventually rot. So that’s why normally, I prefer glass or ceramic. However, this year we discovered an unexpected, and yes, delightful surprise in our compost heap! There was a huge tangle of vines bursting with butternut squash! So of course, I took advantage of yet another gift of nature, and placed them throughout the dining room.

6.) Make an Ugly Duckling a Swan!

This is another tip from the Christmas decor archives. No one’s house is perfect, and it’s pointless and exhausting to try to live up to that expectation. We have recently gone through months of renovating our kitchen, and we still have odds and ends projects sitting around. There are two cabinets from our former kitchen that still haven’t found a home. So, here is another use for fabric! I just covered the raw plywood and 2×4 framework with some pretty table cloths, and voila! The ugly ducklings are now swans!

Your Turn to Create Frugal & Eclectic Fall Decor!

Alright, y’all! Those are my tips for creating frugal eclectic fall decor for your dining room. Let us know if you have any more helpful hints and tricks to create beautiful fall decor on a budget! If you are interested in recreating this look, we encourage you to look around and see what you already have. Go outside, enjoy God’s creation, soak up the sun, and make a bouquet of weeds! However, if you are interested in shopping online for similar items, here are some look-a-likes. =) We hope you have a blessed fall, friends!

Shop This Look!

• Tablecloth – This one is pretty, and I feel like you could use a similar color palette with it…and it has tassels!
• Gold Charger Plates – These are super versatile!
• White Dinner Plates – They go with everything!
• Cloth Napkins – Add a touch of elegance.
• Ceramic Pumpkins – These are cute too!
• Glass Blown Pumpkins – and THIS one! Oh! And THIS one too!
• Amber Glass Medicine Bottles – Or, you could just recycle your vitamin bottles!
• Mercury Glass Votives – Love how these make candle light dance!

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