Fall is here!

Even though it’s still stinkin’ hot, decorating for fall is one of my favorite things to do. The changing leaves, the breeze, football — what’s not to love? Here are some fun ideas on decorating for fall on a college budget.

Buying on a Budget

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are a great resource for many things, including fall decorations! The key to this one is to plan ahead and start looking early.

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree or Family Dollar is going to give you some great decorations for a fraction of the price — just don’t expect these pieces to last through several seasons!

DIY

Painted Pumpkins

Most stores sell small or large pumpkins, and they are super easy to paint if you want to avoid the mess of carving one. The small ones are my personal favorite, and you can paint them any color! I tend to paint mine white, which is perfect for any table or small porch decoration. Looking for something a little more elaborate? We’ve got the perfect step-by-step instructions for you — especially if you’re a big Disney fan!

Painted Bottles

These painted bottles are a staple for any season. You just get an old bottle (hello, upcycling!), and paint it any color you want. I prefer more matte colors on this DIY, and I love the brush stroke look. If you want to add some extra “oomph” to these, tie some twine around the neck and add some burlap. You can use this as a fun vase for fall flowers, or just decoration by itself.

Twinkly Mason Jars

Grab a mason jar (pretty inexpensive and easy to find), some burlap or twine, and LED string lights with a battery pack from a craft store (the short ones). Pack the twine or burlap loosely in the mason jar and the lights at the same time to get a cute, twinkly look. These are perfect for tables, porches, or nightstands. Once you’re done, you can use the mason jar for your kitchen and meal prep needs!

Framed Dried Leaves

When you’re at a thrift store looking for other fall décor, check out the frames for this fun (yet more time consuming) DIY. If you find the perfect frame, and it doesn’t need painting, skip this step! But, if you find the perfect frame and it is the wrong color, use some of the leftover paint from the bottle or pumpkin (or both!) and paint your frame whatever color fits with your scheme. While you do this, grab some of those colorful fall leaves we all love and put them inside one of your textbooks for a couple of days. Once your frame is dry, grab the leaves (you should have flat, almost preserved leaves), and glue or tape them onto some cardstock that fits in your frame. You now have a cute fall frame to hang on your wall or prop up on a mantle!

Now that we’ve inspired your inner decorator, show us how your fall set-up turned out! Tag us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook @AuburnCampusRec.

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Zoe L.