Creative Fall Decorating Ideas for Military Housing and Rentals

The fall decorating craze is here to stay, and that’s a good thing! You’ve probably already decked out your front porch with mums, pumpkins, or cornstalks and adorned your mantel with gorgeous garlands. Now it’s time to take your decorating skills to the next level and add autumn joy into unexpected areas of your home. 

If you live in military housing or a rental, you know the challenges while adding extra pumpkin spice to your decor, like a small budget or awkward spaces. Don’t worry; there’s no need to curtail fall trappings throughout the house. Below, we’re sharing inexpensive and easy-to-install fall charm in areas that usually miss out on the fall decorating extravaganza.

Photo from iStock.com/TeaGraphicDesign

1) Gather Natural Elements for Budget-Friendly Decor 

Start planning your rental and military housing fall decor with items you already have, like fruit harvest baskets or those that can be gathered for free, such as colored leaves, tall grasses, pinecones, acorns, and other natural elements. You can quickly transform these on-hand items into centerpieces, garlands, and wreaths. Later, spend wisely on the must-have items you can use for years to come in multiple homes. 

Now that you know what you have to work with, consider which of these unexpected fall decorating locations will spruce up your home’s overall look throughout the fall season. 

Photo from iStock.com/OksanaKiian

2) Staircase Decorating: Elevate Your Fall Aesthetic

Military renters sometimes ignore stairways because decorating them can be labor-intensive. But they’re the perfect showpiece for fall decorations, especially if positioned in the initial line of sight walking into the house. 

Lean into the natural options you find outside for cost-effective solutions or purchase them inexpensively at hobby and craft stores. Don’t forget, strings of twinkle lights brighten up the staircase whether you choose classic white or go with purple and orange for Halloween. 

• Drape fall swags adorned with burlap, faux pumpkins, and gourds. 
• String tightly packed pinecones for a big visual impact.
• Decorate intervals of balusters with greenery. 
• Create a fall-themed vignette in a large landing area. 
• Put focus on the newel posts with twists of fall garland. 

Photo from iStock.com/OKrasyuk

3) Creative Solutions for Awkward Corners or Nooks

Decorating military housing is tricky because it often has awkward corners, nooks, and odd angles due to renovations or tight-budget construction. Don’t be deterred; use the unused space to get creative and highlight the season. 

• Invent a kids' space with fall games, books, and activities. 
• Decorate a black Halloween tree and add lights and decorations.
• Make a pet bed area with fall fabrics and kitschy wall art, like puppies in a vintage wagon. 
• Stage a selfie corner using rotating themed backgrounds, like a barnyard. Check party stores for birthday decorations for the backdrops and props.

Photo from Canva

4) Shelf Styling: Show Off Your Fall Collections

A fireplace with a picturesque mantel isn’t a standard feature in many rental or military houses, which is unfortunate because they sure do show off fall decor beautifully and create a cozy focal point. However, thanks to our nomadic lifestyle, there’s a good chance you own portable bookshelves or a stack shelf system. Shelves can replace a mantel to show off seasonal collections and decorations. 

Start by removing shelf items that aren’t “festive” for the fall season and store them for later. Next, clean the shelves. You may want to line them with fabric or use table runners or placemats to add dimension and texture. Now, add collections of autumn items that you love. There are plenty of options. 

• Vases filled with fall foliage
• Bowls of pinecones
• Glass jars of acorns
• Fall inspired artwork
• Pumpkin anything
• Fall-themed books bundled together with twine
• Various sized baskets 

Photo from iStock.com/FollowTheFlow

5) Cozy Up Your Bedroom for Fall Comfort

The bedroom often gets overlooked for seasonal decorating, but it shouldn’t, especially during fall, which is the perfect time to add cozy everything to your space. Cozy equals comfort, and comfort equals great sleep, so pack away the breezy summer weight bedding, curtains, and rugs and add fabrics that embrace the season.

If you’re not feeling bright red, orange, and yellow colors in your bedroom, stick with neutral, moody tones like navy, deep green, and dark gray. 

• Buy a new sheet set with an autumn theme.
• Splurge on a new comforter or quilt. 
• Add luxury faux fur throw blankets on the bed.
• Update the curtains with a heavy fabric like velvet. 
• Switch out the thin rug for a plush material. 
• Toss new decorative pillows on the bed. 
• Light candles with rich scents that you love.
  
  

6) Fun Fall Decor for Your Laundry Room

Since the laundry room is usually tucked away from public view, it's your secret location to go wild with fall decorations. Experiment with multiple themes to enjoy the mundane space over a few weeks or go over the top once. Take plenty of pictures so you can use the inspiration for next year to create an even better theme. 

• Go tacky and build a ghoulish graveyard using homemade headstones positioned along the walls.
• Add scary lighting and overhead ghosts from the ceiling for a haunted house effect. 
• Create a nostalgic “country store” vibe with vintage canisters and glassware. 
• Add temporary wallpaper with a fall theme, like plaid or buffalo check.

Photo from iStock.com/nastya_ph

7) Add Autumn Flair to Your Kitchen

Since the kitchen is heavily used, decorating the space without getting in the way of everyday life activities is difficult. So, take advantage of out-of-the-way surfaces to add fall flavor. 

• Hang leafy swags and garlands above windows.
• Use temporary adhesive strips to secure wreaths on your cabinet doors.
• Buy small fall rugs for high-traffic areas.
• Tablescape your kitchen or dining room table with any festive items you own, like glass bowls filled with autumn leaves.
• Give a fresh look to unused home decor like candlesticks or glassware with new paint. 
  
  

Embrace Fall in Military Housing

Military housing and rental homes always have decorating challenges, so use your excitement for the fall season as motivation to take on new projects. And if you need more temporary housing decorating inspiration, subscribe to our blog and see our home decorating resources. 

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