From football parties and wine tastings to trick-or-treating and Thanksgiving,
the fall entertaining season is upon us. Celebrate its arrival by giving your
front door or porch an autumnal redo that will welcome your guests for any
occasion. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Make it sparkle – begin your transition by tidying up a bit.
Wipe down your door and give it a fresh coat of paint if needed. Clean
surrounding windows, vacuum any cobwebs, and change lightbulbs if necessary.
Hang a beautiful wreath in rich and vibrant hues and upgrade
your doormat– nothing says “welcome to our home” better than a colorful wreath
and a fresh, clean doormat.
Replace faded, summer annuals in window boxes and planters with
fall’s signature flowers – mums, asters, salvia and ornamental grasses will
last well into the season. Embellish arrangements with bright and playful
pansies, which do exceptionally well in cooler weather.
Pile on the pumpkins and gourds – stack short, flat pumpkins
in urns for instant topiaries, arrange mini pumpkins in wire baskets, or line
your walk with pie pumpkins. Use all white pumpkins and mums and watch them
glow in the moonlight.
Incorporate baskets, buckets and wine crates lined with
burlap into your display to create a rustic, farmhouse effect.
Add some glitz – use lanterns with battery-operated, outdoor
candles; orange and black paper lanterns in covered areas; or hang strands of
mini lights. Many are available in fun shapes like pumpkins, leaves and bats.
Be mindful of scale and proportion – if your entrance is
tall, think big. Adjust your décor to take advantage of the extra vertical
space.
And don’t forget the old standbys like corn stalks and bales
of hay. With a few simple embellishments, your home’s entrance will be ready
when the guests come knocking.
Happy Fall!
