When Should You Put Out Fall Decorations?

Organized Sunshine
Aug 31
2 min read

It's fall, y’all, apparently.

So what gives? When should you start putting out your fall décor? And why in the name of pumpkin spice, is Hobby Lobby's autumn decor marked down, and we are on to Christmas?

Let’s break it down—with a little humor, a little logic, and maybe a scented candle or two.

So, When Can You Start Decorating for Fall?

Technically, the first day of fall (according to the calendar) is September 22.

But here’s the truth: There no actual rules. Just vibes.

Here’s a rough breakdown of the fall-decor timeline:

Early Birds (Late August – Labor Day):

You’re excited, organized, and fully over the heat. Maybe school has started, the mornings are cool(ish), and you're craving a cozy change. This is when many Type-A and pumpkin-loving folks begin the transition. Full disclosure...fall is my favorite time of year, and this is absolutely when I put up my decorations.

Best for: Swapping in neutral fall tones, cozy textures, and subtle touches like faux leaves, early pumpkins, and apple-scented candles.

Mid-September (the Sweet Spot):

This is the Goldilocks time—not too early, not too late. Temps may still be warm, but there’s football, pumpkin patches open soon, and Starbucks is slinging PSLs.

Best for: Going full autumn. Pumpkins on the porch, hay bales, wreaths, fall garlands, and the start of spooky touches.

October 1 – Halloween Mode:

By now, it’s socially acceptable to go full haunted mansion. If you’re into Halloween, bring on the skeletons, spiderwebs, and motion-activated screaming doormats.

Best for: The dramatic folks (and the children) who live for creepy, campy chaos.

So...When Should You Start Decorating?

Here’s the honest answer: Whenever it brings you joy!

It’s August, and you want to bust out your plaid throws and ceramic gourds?

Do it if you prefer to hang on to summer until the first leaf drops in late September?

Your home = your rules.

The only wrong time to decorate is when you're doing it out of pressure instead of pleasure. (And maybe leave the fog machine in the attic until October, okay?)