As we approach those cooler sunny days, and chilly clear nights, leaves falling all around, I get in the mood to pull out my favorite blankets, and change up my décor. Changing out my summer pillows with warm browns, golds, and rust colors makes me feel all soft and cozy. Decorating my front stoop is always something I look forward to every year as well. I love buying colorful mums; they really brighten up the small space. A fall wreath hung on the front door adds some eye-catching details as well. Are you in need of some fun fall décor ideas?? Look no further! I have some fun ideas to show you that won't empty your wallet.

don't forget the Chinese Lanterns!  Those orange pumpkin looking flowers...they are amazing for fall arrangements! — don't forget the Chinese Lanterns! Those orange pumpkin looking flowers...they are amazing for fall arrangements!

The first thing I would suggest is buying some fall scented candles. I love Pier1 for candles. They always have an seasonal section with different scents. Their candles burn cleanly and last a long time. Make sure you trim your wick before burning each time...this helps the candle burn evenly and last longer. "Spiced Cake", "Harvest Apple", and "Maple Sugar" are a few scents they are featuring this year (my personal favorite is the Harvest Apple). What better way to start getting your home ready for Fall than burning some yummy candles? Check out their website at pier1.com/home-décor/candles-fragrance for a variety of candles and decorative Fall candle holders.

Pillows are another great way to add some festive fall accents to your home without spending too much. You can spend as much or as little as you want on pillows. I prefer to buy one or two new pillows a season, that way I am not breaking the bank. Look for soft, heavier fabrics to create that warm and cozy feeling. A cable knit sweater fabric is my FAVORITE to put on my couch. It is super soft and looks warm and inviting. Also try and find a velour fabric or a corduroy fabric. Both are very luxurious feeling and can soften up your space. Any number of home décor stores offer a variety of accents for the Fall season. The Fall colors are some of my favorite colors I incorporate all year in my decor; deep plums, dark reds, burnt oranges, and golds are all beautiful and can bring those fantastic leaf colors from outside to inside. Pair the right fabric and leafy colors and add some texture and you have your cozy couch or colorful chair ready for Fall. Another way to save on pillows is to by a "pillow cover". These can be just as expensive sometimes as a regular pillow but usually are made of higher quality fabric and are more durable. The down side to buying the cover is having to also buy the insert. Having to buy both can really add up! I suggest buying just the cover and using your existing pillows as the inserts. Make sure you measure your pillow to assure that the cover will fit. Most pillows and covers fit a standard size. Retailers like Pottery Barn and West Elm offer the pillow cover options as well the inserts. By trying a cover you might find a better variety of styles and patterns. Check out www.potterybarn.com and www.westelm.com for inspiration! Also check out www.target.com for some simple, colorful pillows. Their prices can actually be comparable to the other more upscale retailers. If you want to add a more exotic Fall vibe to your home try shopping at World Market. Their selection is great and prices are comparable to Target, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. (www.worldmarket.com)You can always buy pillows online but I would suggest buying them in person. Size, texture, and color are super important and sometimes the pictures online don't match the product you receive in the mail.

Okay, so you have your candles and a few new pillows...what is next? Well, if you are lucky enough to have a mantle in your house decorate it! If you have bookshelves or a hutch that is a focal point decorate those as well. Even a coffee table and/or side tables can use some Fall décor. Of course your candles can grace any of these places but especially on the mantle they will look fabulous. If you don't already have some fun, colorful candle holders try to pick up a couple in a brown or copper color. Any of the fall colors I mentioned will blend well with brown tones. Candle holders are important for a couple reasons...when burning the candle and the wax melts, it has to have something underneath to catch the drip. I learned the hard way that burning candles without a plate or holder can create quite a mess! Not to mention it can also be very dangerous. The wax stuck to my mantle and it has been a nightmare trying to remove it because of how greasy it is. If this happens to you, wait until it dries to try and remove it, and then wash carefully with soapy water. Plates or candle holders are a must! Lanterns are another decorative and fun accent that I love to use. You can use them as candle holders as well as a light to guide visitors to your door. During Fall I keep them inside near a window but when I have a gathering I like to place them outside on my front steps, and light the candles as a sort of welcoming beacon to my guests. They come in all sizes and I would try Target for these as they are a little cheaper. No need to spend the big bucks on these as they are all very similar! Another fun accent are some "fake" fall leaves. Spreading them around your candles on your mantle or table gives the illusion of freshly fallen leaves. You can also add them to vases and lanterns with some fake acorns, etc. as a filler.

Notice the leaves randomly placed through the decorations...gives that illusion of freshly fallen leaves.  Also colorful accents; the yellow bud vase, the decorative votive candle holders....and my dear Grandmother — Notice the leaves randomly placed through the decorations...gives that illusion of freshly fallen leaves. Also colorful accents; the yellow bud vase, the decorative votive candle holders....and my dear Grandmother

Your home will have the outdoor colors of Fall while maintaining the cozy, and warm feeling of soft blankets and the yummy smells of apples and pumpkin spice. Your guests will want to linger and maybe sip on some wine or hot apple cider. It is all of these reasons and more that make Fall my favorite thing...