DIY Fall Decor on a Budget: A Guide for Military Families

Fall is the perfect time to transform your home into a warm, cozy space filled with seasonal colors and textures. For military families who move frequently, decorating can present unique challenges, such as ensuring decorations are easy to pack, reusable, and adaptable to new locations. Creating DIY fall decor using budget-friendly materials and natural elements is cost-effective and adds a personal, creative touch to your home. Here are some ideas to help you make beautiful fall decor without spending a fortune, while also keeping military moves in mind.

Utilize Local Nature for Budget-Friendly Decor

One of the best ways to create beautiful, budget-friendly fall decor is by incorporating natural elements. Whether you’re stationed near the woods, mountains, or a more urban area, you can often find natural materials right outside your door to use in your fall decorating projects.

1. Centerpieces with Fall Foliage: Enjoy the abundance of colorful fall leaves, acorns, pinecones, and branches. Collect them during a walk or while exploring your new surroundings. Arrange these materials in a glass vase or bowl for a natural, elegant centerpiece. Add small pumpkins, gourds, or candles for extra warmth and color. Using nature in your decor is not only cost-effective, but it also brings a sense of your current location into your home, helping you feel more connected to your environment.
2. Garlands with Natural Materials: Use the fall foliage you’ve collected to create a stunning garland. String together leaves, pinecones, and small branches with twine or fishing line to make a garland that can be draped over a mantel, hung on the wall, or used as a table runner. This type of decor is lightweight, easy to store, and can be made from materials you already have or find outdoors, making it a great option for families on a budget.
3. Wreaths Using Natural Elements: DIY wreaths are perfect for welcoming the fall season. Using a wireframe (available at most craft stores), you can weave in branches, twigs, and other fall elements such as leaves, dried flowers, or cinnamon sticks. Adding a large bow or ribbon that matches your color scheme can pull it all together. This project is not only inexpensive but creates a wreath that is lightweight and easy to hang. Additionally, natural wreaths are easy to disassemble and store flat when it’s time to move.

If living in an area without an abundance of particularly “normal” fall nature, consider using what is available. If living at a beach location, using shells and coral for a wreath, garland or centerpiece adds a touch of the local outdoors. Such items can be painted for a fall accent, or mixed with items like felt or paper to commemorate the duty station. Don’t let social media tell you that fall is only about pumpkins, acorns and leaves, because in some locations around the world, it isn’t.

Use Reusable Materials That Pack Easily

When it comes to decorating on a budget, reusable and easy-to-pack items are ideal for military families who move frequently. Creating decor from materials like felt, paper, and lightweight fabrics means you can reuse them year after year, and they take up minimal space in your moving boxes.

1. Felt Decorations: Felt is an inexpensive, durable, and versatile material that is perfect for DIY fall decor. You can cut felt into shapes like pumpkins, leaves, and acorns, and use them to create garlands, banners, or table decorations. Because felt is lightweight and lays flat, it’s incredibly easy to store and pack when it’s time to move. Felt garlands, for example, can be draped over mantels, windows, or even doorways, adding a pop of fall color without the bulk of heavier decorations. Plus, felt doesn’t fade easily, so it’s perfect for long-term use.
2. Paper Crafts for Quick and Easy Decor: Paper is another budget-friendly and easily transportable material. Try making paper pumpkins, paper leaf garlands, or simple cut-out banners that say “Happy Fall” or “Give Thanks.” These can be taped to walls, windows, or even used as place settings for a dinner table. Paper decorations are a great way to change up your seasonal decor from year to year without spending much. They can be folded flat and packed away with minimal space needed.
3. Multi-Use Table Runners and Fabric Accents: Consider making a table runner out of fall-themed fabric that can be reused for other seasons. For example, a burlap table runner can be dressed up with seasonal accents like felt pumpkins or fabric leaves for fall, and then reused for other occasions. Adding removable accents is key for military families who want to pack light and have multi-purpose items that can be adapted for various seasons and events.

Other Tips for Decorating on a Budget

1. Thrift Store Finds: Local thrift stores can be a treasure trove for finding budget-friendly decor items like vases, candle holders, and baskets that can easily be dressed up with fall accents. Hitting up thrift stores in new locations can also be a fun way to find unique decor that reflects your new home.
2. Invest in Neutral Basics: Invest in a few neutral basics like burlap, twine, and natural-colored baskets. These items can be used year-round and easily adapted to fit the fall season with a few small adjustments. For example, a simple basket can be filled with fall leaves, pinecones, or pumpkins for autumn, and then switched out with flowers or greenery in the spring. Neutral decor items save space and money because they’re adaptable to different seasons and locations.
3. Repurpose and Recycle: Repurposing materials you already have is another great way to save money. Consider using leftover ribbon, fabric scraps, or even old t-shirts cut into strips to create decorative bows or accents. Mason jars or empty food containers can be painted or wrapped in twine and used as vases, candle holders, or containers for small decor pieces like acorns or potpourri.
4. Freecycle and Buy Nothing Groups: Check out local giveaway groups to see if someone is moving or downsizing. Perhaps you can score a couple blow up decorations and then pass them on to another family when you move. A great way to reuse local resources without having to think about packing and moving that item.

For military families, creating beautiful fall decor doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money or lugging around heavy, bulky items when it’s time to move. By utilizing natural elements from your local area, creating decor with reusable materials like felt and fabric, and repurposing what you already own, you can transform your home for the fall season on a budget. With these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy a warm and festive atmosphere wherever you’re stationed, without the financial or physical burden of traditional store-bought decorations.