When I was a kid I used to deck out our entire house, lawn, and both front doors and stoops with Halloween and fall decorations. Our rooms were covered in faux spiderwebs, complete with those gross-looking plastic spiders; our lawn was filled with ghostly gravestones; our lamppost and stoops were adorned with leafy garland, cornstalks, bales of straw, pumpkins and gourds, and we even had a little ghost to greet people at the door. One year, under my dad’s direction, my birthday guests and I enjoyed a fall DIY—we made our own scarecrows! Undoubtedly, this is my favorite time of year.
Since then, my taste has become slightly more refined and much more grown-up. My apartment is not longer covered in spiderwebs and I have no lawn for the gravestones. Last year, I had minimal decor because the apartment I was living in belonged to my roommate (who had excellent taste, but wasn’t really into seasonal decorating), but this year, my apartment is all my own. Because I went most of the summer without a paycheck (I quit my job when I was doing Sweet Charity) I’m still trying to do everything on a budget. Even though I have a fabulous job now, I’m still only working part-time, but I wanted to make my apartment as fall-inspired and cozy as possible without spending more than $100. Let’s see how I did…
The decor:
A tray on my coffee table filled with fall goodies
My table centerpiece
My entryway
Some garland dressing up the entertainment center where my TV lives
How To DIY:
1. Glass hurricane -$6.99 at Homegoods
2. 5lbs of pumpkins $5 at Whole Foods
3. Moroccan-inspired candle from Pier 1 last year
(similar candles available at Homegoods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls now)
4. An old Christmas tray from my parents’ basement, sanded and spray-painted with Krylon Hammered Gold $3 at Home Depot
5. Vintage coasters inherited from my grandparents – free
6. Leaf-shaped dish by Chantal $5.99 at TJ Maxx
7. Candy Corn $2.50 at Duane Reade (and other drugstores)
8. Vintage mason jar–thrifted at Chelsea parking lot flea $5
9. 2 dozen roses in autumn colors $12.
Split into three vases and arranged.
1. Twig & Rope lantern w/ glass hurricane $5.99 at TJ Maxx
2. Pumpkin Spice Ombre Candle $4 at Michael’s
3. Leafy garland strands -2 6 foot strands $10 /each (on sale 50% for $5 each) at Michael’s;
Cut into 3ft strands and twist together.
Garland has round openings at ends, stuff the cut end into this opening to create the loop.
Place around lantern.
4. Round red placement $1 at Bed, Bath & Beyond
(I only used this because I was afraid the lantern might scratch my table, but I had it and it matched!)
1. Roses from the 2 dozen purchased, split into three vases $12
2. Vintage mason jar, thrifted Brooklyn Flea- $5
3. Hemp twine – free!
It was the tie from my new coasters
3. Decorative corn $3 -D’Agostino (and at other grocery stores)
4. Pumpkin – $7 bodega
I wanted to put this on that shelf, but it’s too fat. Need to find a taller, skinnier one!
1. Leafy garland strands $10 at Michael’s (see above description)
The other 3 feet of the garland cut from the centerpiece twisted together to dress up a boring bookcase!
Total DIY Cost: $77.46
How do you decorate on a budget? What’s your favorite season to decorate?
Erika is a 20-something fashion, beauty and food-obsessed college student pursuing her Broadway aspirations in NYC.
