Fall Deck-orating Ideas

Over the past couple weeks I’ve shared two tours around my home. The first had an entertainment theme and was followed up with recipes for items featured on the tour. The second tour was a more traditional look at some of my spaces decked out for fall. The goal of both tours was to give you a peak at my place, but also inspire you in your own decorating.

A space that you did not see on either tour was my deck. It’s one of the most recently refurbished areas of my home and one of my favorite spaces. Given that we weren’t too deep into this new season (In fact, the official of start of fall is next week.), I wasn’t quite ready to transition. With most of my summer flowers still in bloom, I just didn’t want to change them out yet. However, when I was at Lowe’s a couple days ago, inspiration struck as I walked through their beautiful selection of mums and fall goodies. In that moment, I knew I was ready.

Welcome to fall on the deck!

As you can see, I went a little mum-crazy. Every year I tell myself, “Michael, don’t buy more flowers.” Then, I get into the store and a half an hour later, I’m literally stuffing every nook of my vehicle with plants.

However, they are beautiful, and they really do update the space for the season.

One thing I always like to do when changing flowers and plants for a new season is to keep a few from the previous one. In my planters, I use at least one plant that spills over the side. Things like sweet potato vine, creeping jenny, nasturtium, ferns, and even some herbs are great for this.

Since these plants were still looking great, I just carefully removed the dead or overgrown flowers around them and tucked in a few mums in their place. This gives me the best of both worlds. I still get that lush filled-in look, plus the colors and feeling of fall.

I also couldn’t resist a few ornamental cabbages. The color and texture of these guys gives you a great return on your investment. Plus, their color only gets more vibrant as the season progresses.

I even picked up a Japanese maple that was on clearance. I appreciate the height and dappled privacy it provides on the corner of the deck. Plus, the color helps with that fall feel.

Last year, I found this sectional in the allen + roth collection at Lowe’s. It’s been the best addition to the space. It’s ideal for entertaining a group or lounging alone. I swapped out a couple pillows to give it more of a seasonal vibe.

Recently I purchased this hour glass-shaped side table that I’m using as a coffee table. It’s the perfect pop of seasonal color, and the shape is contemporary and fresh.

My Craigslist wicker chairs are holding up wonderfully, too. In case you don’t remember, these guys were in pretty bad shape when I spotted them online. However, I loved their design and thought they had great potential. With a coat of black paint, they add character and texture to the space. Between the two chairs, I tucked in the ottoman that matches my sectional. With a tray on top, it functions as a table or extra seating if needed.

Just like my interior spaces, I love that the furnishings on the deck don’t need to be matchy-matchy to look beautiful and cohesive.

I finished off the entire space and added a touch of quirkiness with a couple more nods to the season. These gourds, which have been dried, painted, and carved to resemble jack-o-lanterns, look wonderful above the sectional. (I found them at a local greenhouse.) They also nicely tie in the colors of the pillows, new coffee table, and my vintage fireplace.

Along with a few pumpkins scattered around, I picked up these two ghost lanterns, that will look even better when lit up at night with a candle.

With that, I think my deck is ready for it’s autumnal debut!

As the days grow shorter and the nights start getting cooler, now I need to stock up on wood (and s’more supplies) for that fireplace. Paired with Apple Pie Sangria and the company of good friends or one of my devices, you’ll know exactly where to find me many evenings this fall.

As always, I hope you enjoyed this look around my space and picked up an idea or two. Have a fabulous weekend, my friends!