Fall is officially in full swing! And I can’t lie, besides Christmas décor, decorating for Fall is my favorite thing to do. However, being a college student, I don’t exactly have a whole lot of extra cash lying around to decorate with. So would you like to get into the autumn spirit without breaking the bank? The big colors this year (in addition, of course, to the usual fall colors like browns, oranges, cranberry, etc.) seem to be a faded or weathered teal/turquoise and marigold. So keeping that in mind, here’s three ideas to get your apartment or dorm looking like Fall :
1) PUMPKINS!! We all LOVE pumpkins! Go down to the local market and buy 3 or 5 in different sizes. Instead of taking the typical route and carving, paint your pumpkins turquoise! This is so fun to do on a girls’ night in, and you can all give each other ideas. Even better, they are their own party favors! Some of my favorite painted designs are polka dots, stripes, or, if you’re really feeling artsy – leaves or fall flowers. These are great decorations for the indoors or out, they last through the whole season, and it’s great bonding time with the girls! It’s a cute and simple idea, but it will definitely greet your guests with a warm Fall welcome!
2) If you want to keep your house smelling like Fall, potpourri is always a good idea. Don’t have the money for it? No worries, these smells came from nature originally anyway. Spend your money on a turquoise bowl, and fill it with easy finds: pinecones and pine straw (seeing as we are in Auburn, it won’t be hard to find!).They smell awesome, and look like Fall! Throw in some fallen bright leaves or flowers (fake will obviously keep you from replacing them often, but you can also use real flowers) for color. I was thinking none other than a marigold! And there you have it – a simple and cheap potpourri bowl!
3) Fall is all about the outdoors , so it’s an easy season to get away with brining things simply found outside, in! Decorate your table with small sticks, leaves, and mini pumpkins (like $3 at the store), and you have an easy centerpiece. Throw in some orange, pumpkin or even spice scented candles and you will have a cozy, Fall home in no time! My favorites are from World Market in Tiger Town. You can get 25 tea lights in whatever scent for $3.99 !
Elizabeth Ainsworth is an Interior Design major at Auburn University, you can email her for more tips at ela0004@tigermail.auburn.edu