Fall is hands-down my favorite season to refresh our front porch. While mums are a tried-and-true classic, I decided to skip them again this year in favor of a different approach. Don’t get me wrong, mums are beautiful, but they often feel expected, and don’t always last long once the weather turns. Instead, I styled our porch using planters filled with seasonal florals, branches, layered accents, and a fresh doormat. The result feels elevated, timeless, and just a touch unexpected… exactly the kind of autumnal vignette I was hoping for. Why not get creative and switch things up this year? Especially if you have a hard time keeping mums alive.
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Honestly, I belong to that group… the ones who struggle to keep mums alive. Here in Utah, the weather changes fast and my mums never survive long. Last year, I decided to create beautiful porch planters for fall using coleus, and they did super well- lasting all season long! They also cost half the price of traditional mums. I decided to repeat a version of those again this year. I also enjoyed the creative challenge of arranging autumn planters that felt more textural and layered… like oversized floral arrangements, flanking our front door. Here’s how I did it.
Start with a Clean Slate
Before I bring in seasonal decor, I always begin by removing the existing plants from my planters, then clearing and cleaning the porch. I like to start the season with a blank canvas, and a tidy entry sets the stage for whatever styling you choose. I wiped down the doors, shook out our mat, and gave the planters a quick rinse. My favorite tool for cleaning the porch quickly is our handheld leaf blower. Our old one finally bit the dust, and this new one from Lowe’s has significantly more power. I use it before resetting the porch, as well as after… to clean up post planting.
Choose Seasonal Plants Beyond Mums
Instead of relying on mums, I opted for a large pre-assembled planter from my local Lowe’s garden center. I got this giant planter (pictured below) for around $70.
It included all of my favorites: coleus, purple ivy, and even a couple palms tucked in. My plan was to pull it apart and divide it between my two porch planters, equaling $35 per planter… far less than I would have paid for a bunch of mums. Here are some other fall plants you can use in place of (or in addition to) mums:
- Ornamental kale & cabbage for sculptural texture
- Asters for late-season color that lasts
- Ornamental grasses for height and movement
- Ivy for spilling over the edge- ideal for pedestal planters
- Branches with or without colorful foliage
- Darker hued palms or succulents
These varieties bring the same warmth and seasonal appeal without feeling predictable. They’re also surprisingly hardy and last well into cooler temperatures. Once I had finished, my planters look like this…
Add Layered Accents
Planters anchor the design, but layering is what makes a fall porch feel intentional. I also styled the following:
- A woven rug to anchor the vignette
- A classic coir doormat for texture
- Lanterns with candles for evening ambiance
- Some seasonal pumpkins
By mixing organic textures with timeless shapes, the porch feels balanced and intentional. My goal was to create something classic and autumnal that will last after Halloween into Thanksgiving… right up until I’m ready to make the swap for my holiday porch.
Play with Scale and Symmetry
Symmetry is always my go-to for a polished porch. Matching planters on either side of the door instantly elevates the look. From there, I layered smaller accents… things like lanterns, pumpkins, branches, baskets, straw bundles, etc. Varying the scale of each piece keeps the vignette from feeling too rigid, while still giving that classic curb appeal.
Keep It Simple and Timeless
It’s easy to go overboard with seasonal decor, but editing is key. Sometimes less is more. Instead of piling on excessive (and expensive) mums, I kept the palette neutral with deep greens, rich purples, wine tones, and a few warm accents. Less really is more when you want your porch to feel elegant.
FAQ
We’ve had those for 6-7 years, but they also came from Lowe’s! You can find them here. They’ve really withstood the test of time.
Edit as you style… fall brings a lot of fun decor, but resist the urge to pack it all onto your porch. Stick to a specific color palette, dial in your vision, and adhere to the classics: a planter, a mat or rug, an accent or two, and good lighting.
The lantern sconces flanking our front door came from Lowe’s. You can find the sconces here, and the pendant version here!
Related Fall Content
Looking for more posts to help inspire your fall home styling? I’m going to link some favorites for you below…
- How to Make DIY Pressed Leaf Artwork for Fall
- Classic Fall & Winter Doormats Designers Love
- Fall Window Planter Box
- 50 Designer Approved Cozy Finds for Fall
- Fall Centerpiece Floral Arrangement (Step by Step Tutorial)
- Designer Picks: The Best Wall Mirrors from Lowe’s
- Fall Patio Dinner Party
- How to Easily Style Branches for Fall
- The Best Vases, Vessels & Pottery for Classic Styling
- Date Night : Fall Mountain Picnic
Styling a fall porch doesn’t have to mean lining up rows of mums that only last a couple weeks. My challenge for you this autumn, is to try something new and unexpected. By layering timeless pieces- planters, branches, and classic textures, you can create a welcoming entry that feels fresh and elevated.
I love the balance of color, texture, and symmetry this look brings to our front porch, and I hope it inspires you to try something new this season. Sometimes stepping outside the box is exactly what makes a vignette noteworthy. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below! Have you already styled your exterior for fall?
The post How to Style a Fall Porch- Without Mums appeared first on Room For Tuesday.
