Front Porch Decorating for Fall

Decorating for fall has become extremely popular over the past few years. Every farmers' market and roadside stand is bursting with all sorts of possibilities to use. You don't even need a trip to a craft store. With some pine cones, seed pods, twigs, and berries gathered on a walk in the country, your front porch will be the talk of the neighborhood.

1. Pumpkins and Indian Corn

Pumpkins and Indian corn are the two essential elements for decorating your front porch in fall. Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes and can be used for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. You're not limited to just the traditional orange pumpkins anymore, either: you can get white, bumpy, and multi-colored ones.

Put these on your front steps in varying sizes, lay a few on their sides for texture, and continue on up to your front door. Scatter leaves and stones around their bases for a more finished, natural look.

Indian corn also comes in many gorgeous colors and can be used through the Fall holidays. Tie a bunch together with a bow for each porch post, or hang a large bunch made up of several ears on your front door. You can also secure Indian corn to a wreath frame and make an unusual wreath by pointing all of the ears inward with the husks around the outside edge.

2. Bittersweet and Vines

By using floral wire and tying it in continuing bunches, you can make a vine of bittersweet and leaves to use as a garland on your porch or as an arch around your entryway. You can further enhance this garland by attaching small pumpkins, gourds, and pine cones. Straw ribbon woven through will also help fill it in and create a lush effect.

As a final touch, some people like to use small clear lights in their fall decorations to highlight them and add drama at night.

Scarecrows

If you are decorating your porch for fall, how about making a scarecrow to welcome your friends and relatives. Use a long board with a smaller board nailed across it to form the shoulders and arms. If your scarecrow is around five feet tall, leave about 12 inches above the cross piece to secure the head.

Put an old shirt on it and tie the sleeves shut with straw ribbon. Be sure to leave a lot of edge dangling for the straw look. Stuff the shirt for fullness. Then, put the whole structure down inside a pair of pants or bib overalls and stuff them a bit with leaves or newspaper.

To make the head, you can use a pumpkin that is carved like a jack o' lantern or has a face drawn on it. Be sure to put an old hat on the head and put straw and leaves sticking out from under that. You can add work gloves by tying them onto the end of the sleeves.

For fun, purchase an artificial crow, or perhaps more than one, and set it on the head or arms. Be sure to put a flower or two in the pocket for a nice final touch.