Five Fall Outdoor Decorations You'll Love

While it seems summer has flown by, I will fully admit that I am officially ready for fall (it all started with that first 60-degree morning a few weeks ago).

Of course, I love decking out the inside of my house for the season and holidays, but it's just as fun to share your holiday enthusiasm with your neighborhood by adding exterior touches. So I thought I'd compile five fun picks to add some spirit to your home:

Golden Wheat Wreath (Grandin Road)

Wreaths are one of the easiest ways to make your home welcoming. Instead of going for something overly holiday specific, select a base to keep it simple (and longer lasting). You also can add small touches (like small black bats for Halloween or an autumnal bow for Thanksgiving). Additionally, make sure to invest in a solid storage case for your purchase so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Monolith Lantern (Michaels)

Lanterns are among the most versatile pieces both inside and outside the house, and I love these large-scale lanterns that can be used year-round. Add a traditional or battery-operated candle in white or a seasonal color to keep things simple, or consider filling the lanterns with plastic eyeballs, faux leaves or pine cones (when winter comes).

Metal Ghost Yard Art (At West End)

Moving ahead to Halloween, I haven't yet ordered these, but I am considering adding to this year's display. In addition to being creepy (but not too scary for younger kids), this trio of ghouls glows in the dark...and stores flat (for those of us with limited storage for seasonal items).

Chalkboard Tombstones (Pottery Barn)

Tombstones are standard exterior decor around October 31st, but these are unique in that you can customize the inscription and make it even more relevant to your family, your neighborhood or your city. 

50" Posable Black Spider (Target)

I already own a few of these, and they add great dimension to any display and can be used in a myriad of ways (along the railings of a staircase, coming out of planters, etc.). Like the ghosts, they are creepy but playful enough for all ages.

In addition to the stores highlighted through the picks above, definitely check out your local HomeGoods, Marshalls or other favorite discount store (their aisles are already filled with fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving options) for little touches to add to your ambiance!

Happy Decorating!

Amber Harris is the owner of At Home DC, an interior decorator and a licensed real estate agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties working with clients in DC, Maryland and Virginia. 

Clover Accent Tables

When you're entertaining, it seems like there's never enough space for people to leave their drinks and noshes (or phones). However, that doesn't mean you need to add a massive coffee table or side board that will just collect junk, dust, etc. the rest of the time.

Photo Credit: GrandinRoad.com

I've been on a mission for the perfect small table to pull out when I needed extra space in my living room, and I intended to buy a simple c-table (eyeing the Portica from Room & Board due to ability to customize finishes and constantly checking for ones I loved at Home Goods). I ended up putting off the purchase but, in the end, I ended up with another "c-table," the Clover Accent Table from Grandin Road. I ordered the set on a whim after seeing a 30% off deal expiring in less than 24 hours and the nested tables came a few days later.

Aesthetic-wise, the clover design adds more of a feminine touch and the neutral top and soft metallic finish mean they blend well with my existing palette of gold, cinnamon, sage and cream accents. The tables are tucked away usually in the corner of my dining room (I have an open concept space with dining room and living room adjacent), and I've even added a decorative bowl and plate I received as a gift for my birthday and wanted to display. With an upcoming holiday party and more entertaining in my future, I know they'll get good use.

Is there anything on your home shopping list that you've been look for the "perfect one" of?

Tables at Home in My Home