Easy Fall Porch Decor

Fall is my favorite time to cozy up the porch and welcome the new season with a few simple, budget-friendly touches. In this post, I’m sharing how I pulled together an inviting fall porch using items I already had on hand—plus a little paint and creativity. From updating old flowerpots to repurposing a ladder as a plant stand, these easy ideas prove you don’t need to spend a lot to get that warm autumn feel.

Let’s play a quick game of seek and find. Can you spot the items that I updated with some spray paint?

Spray Paint Flower Pots for Fall Porch

How about some plastic planters I picked up on clearance? Pink wasn’t working for my fall porch, but the Bauhaus Gold is much better for Autumn.

If your plastic flower pots are used, I recommend cleaning them and letting them dry thoroughly before spray painting.

I also used Satin Iris for a few of my plastic flower pots. Clearance flower pots and spraypaint really keeps the cost down on this Fall Porch Makeover.

Reclaimed Step Ladder and Spray Paint

I had a couple of old stepladders that I thought would look great on my fall porch with a new look. The glory of spray paint is that it’s quick and easy. So easy, you could paint these ladders red or white for your Christmas decor or porch.

I decided to add a small beadboard top to the gold step ladder to hold items for my fall porch.

The spray paint covered the marked-up bead board really well.

Yes, you can spray paint an old ladder!

I love how the Satin Iris turned out (see the after below on the porch), but that’s because I’m such a fan of blue. Not shown: I also sprayed a couple of reclaimed fence boards to make a lower shelf on the blue step stool by extending the depth of the last rung. If the board is snug enough, there is no need to secure it. For something stronger, use nails or wood screws to secure from the bottom up into the fence boards.

How to Stencil a Shutter

I created a stencil on my cutting machine and placed it on a black shutter, allowing me to stencil the word “WELCOME” with the Bauhaus Gold spray paint. You can see the full tutorial for the WELCOME shutter in my post WELCOME Sign Shutter Porch Decor.

Spray Painting Tips

1. Clean and Prep Your Surface
   • Remove dirt and dust
2. Shake Can Well
   • Shake for at least 1 to 2 minutes, and repeat every few minutes.
3. Test Spray First
   • Spray on a piece of cardboard or scrap wood to ensure the nozzle is cleared.
4. Keep Your Distance
   • Hold the can 10 to 12 inches from your project. If you’re too close, you will get drips/runs. If you’re too far away, uneven coverage.
5. Use Light Even Coats
   • Using several thin, even coats will give you the best finish.
6. Move Steadily
   • Keep the can moving in steady passes. Start spraying before you reach the project, and stop after you’ve cleared the project.
7. Mind the Weather
   • Avoid spraying in high humidity or extreme temperatures. Most brands recommend a temperature range of 50–85°F and dry air.
8. Use a Spray Grip Handle When Possible
   • A clip-on handle can save your fingers from fatigue and give you more control for even spraying.
9. Let it Dry Between Coats
   • Follow the instructions on the can. Generally, allow 15-30 minutes between light coats and 24 hours for the full cure.
10. Do Not Spray Paint Indoors
    • The propellant in spray paint is flammable.

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Budget-Friendly Fall Porch

It’s easy to put together a fall porch display when the porch doesn’t lead to a doorway! This side porch has had the door removed, so it’s just a porch to nowhere.

I added three bales of straw, the updated spray-painted projects, and an old tree trunk from when I had a large tree cut down. You can see it in the back right, holding the Satin Iris flower pot. It was a great way to elevate the mum. In the foreground, you can see the daisy plant pot is covered up with a rustic plant koozy—another great way to disguise cheap pots.

What is your favorite element of my fall porch décor? Have you updated anything with spray paint lately? It’s a simple solution for seasonal decorating.

gail