7 Tacky Fall Decorating Choices That Instantly Make Your Home Look Bad

Decorating for fall can be a fun way to celebrate the season, but it is easy to overdo it with clichéd decorations that end up look tacky instead of festive. 

“Fall decor feels most elevated when it is layered in thoughtfully rather than copied from a Pinterest board,” says interior designer Rebekah Murphy. “Fall is about slowing down and embracing a cozy feeling. The best seasonal decor starts with atmosphere, not accessories, and focuses on building warmth through texture, mood, and color.”

We asked the designer to weigh in on fall decorating choices that are played out, with suggestions on how to swap tacky for timeless this autumn.

Hello Fall Signs

“Some fall decorating trends have aged poorly because they rely on mass-produced items rather than thoughtful design,” Murphy says. “Mantels crammed with faux leaves, glittered pumpkins, and ‘Hello Fall’ signs feel more party store than personal.”

She suggests decorating with natural materials such as linen, wool, leather, wood, ceramic, and aged brass, and adding depth with dried florals, branches, and textured pottery. Choose a color palette of muted tones such as rust, olive, ochre, burgundy, charcoal, and warm neutrals like oatmeal, taupe, and clay for a sophisticated look.

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Fall-Themed Trays

Avoid cluttering coffee tables with themed trays and small tchotchkes, Murphy advises. 

“Prioritize quality over quantity,” she says, such as using a single arrangement of dried florals in a handmade vase instead of multiple themed objects. “Drape a cozy blanket over a chair instead of displaying a bowl of fake acorns, and avoid over-styling so the space feels lived-in rather than stiff.”

Plastic Pumpkins

“Dining tables set with plastic pumpkins and burlap accents often look cheap under natural light,” Murphy says.

Replace plastic with natural pumpkins, swap burlap and faux foliage with materials like linen, raw wood, or dried botanicals. Set the dining table with a linen runner, tapered candles, and dried florals or moody-toned fruit, she suggests.

Corny Porch Displays

Harvest-themed front porches can look a bit over-the-top.

“Porches stacked with hay bales, scarecrows, and identical pumpkins can resemble roadside farm stands,” Murphy says. “Replace scarecrows and hay bales with planters filled with ornamental kale, grasses, or pansies.”

Decorate the front porch by mixing heirloom pumpkins with potted mums, real candles in lanterns, and wood crates for height and variety, the designer suggests.

Lawn Ornaments

Fall-themed lawn ornaments can make your front yard look cutesy and tasteless rather than welcoming and warm.

“Lawns with inflatable turkeys or solar-powered pumpkins rarely add charm,” Murphy says. “These choices tend to feel staged, repetitive, and disconnected from the home’s character.”

Bad Faux Foliage

Overly bright fall foliage made from plastic or other unsustainable materials can look garish and off-putting.

“Choose handmade or foraged wreaths of eucalyptus, dried hydrangea, or bare branches instead of store-bought ones,” Murphy suggests.

Novelty Pillows

Seasonal novelty pillows can come off as cheesy and saccharine.

“Skip novelty throw pillows in favor of bouclé, wool, or mohair in seasonal tones,” Murphy suggests. “The most successful fall decor blends seamlessly into your existing home. Start with what you already have and build on your current palette and style so seasonal pieces complement rather than compete.”