Autumn Decor on a Budget

A cosy autumn scene with pumpkins, leaves, books, and a woollen blanket in front of a rainy window.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 24 September 2023

Whether you’re looking for a way to freshen up your space or autumn is your favourite time of the year, decorating your home with autumnal bits and pieces can often become costly. That’s why I’ve compiled an abundance of affordable decorations and what you can do with them, so you can get the most out of your space during the cosy months ahead.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to do your autumnal shopping earlier rather than later. Typically, July and August are when retailers and stores bring out their autumnal stock - and it doesn’t take long for it to be gone. By September, Christmas stock starts to make an appearance, so don’t wait around.

Textured pumpkins help your space feel soft, cosy and homely. They’re a great addition to your home and can be used in several ways, including on coffee tables, shelving, TV stands, entry tables, and more, so they’re a great option that works in every room. What’s more, most textured pumpkins are available in various sizes and would look super cute if displayed in a little bundle in your home.

If you’re after a soft plushy pumpkin to decorate your sofa, bed, shelves or coffee table, then Hobby Craft is the place. They have a Rust Plush Pumpkin for £1, which is available in several more colours, including Grey, Purple, Cream, and Burgundy. If your budget can stretch further, be sure to check the Etsy Pumpkin decorations for £10.50 which is a more expensive option, available in two sizes and a few neutral colours.

Set the mood and turn your home into a cosy snug with a few pumpkin tights here and there. A beautiful option that’s affordable too is the Light Up Glass Pumpkin for £8 from B&M. With its deep orange colour, it’s sure to cast a deep, orange cosy glow in your space. If you’re after something with a bit more glitz and glamour, then check out the Set of 4 Pumpkin LED Lights for £10 from Next. These are a great option if you’d like to dot a few light-up pumpkins around your house to spread the autumnal mood.

You don’t have to go overboard with the autumnal decor if that’s not your thing - at B&M, you can find some really subtle autumnal pieces that would look lovely in your home. The Romagna Glass Display Bottle Vase for £5.99 in the colour honey, as well as the Ribbed Glass Meadow Vase for £7.99 in the colour honey, would help to add some texture, shine and colour, at an affordable price. What’s more, you can leave them empty or show off some autumnal foliage inside them if that’s your vibe.

If you love a good candle, but you want it to look aesthetically pleasing on your shelf too, then look no further. There is a great variety of cute and autumnal pumpkin candles and candle holders available on the market. At Tk Maxx, they have a beautiful Juniper Berry Sage Scented Candle for £9.99 which is inside an orange pumpkin-shaped jar with a lid. So, whether it’s lit or not, it’ll look adorable on display.

Similarly, at ASDA George, they have a beautiful Natural Warm Pumpkin Pie Ceramic Candle for £5 as part of Stacey Solomon’s range, which is decorated with a modern white and beige speckled design that you are sure to love. A similar piece which is equally as stunning is the White Giant Pumpkin Tealight Holder for £7, or another super cute piece which is the White Ghost Tealight Holder for £4, which is perfect for a little subtle nod to Halloween.

If you can’t light candles because you’re Decorating on a Student Budget, you’ve got little ones around, or you’d prefer an alternative, then we’ve got your back too. If you’ve got an oil diffuser, then be sure to check out this Pumpkin Spice Fragrance Oil for £2.39+ from Etsy. Simply use a few drops in your diffuser and enjoy the delicious aroma in every room of your home. What’s more, you can purchase this in several sizes, depending on how obsessed you are with it.

If you’re after a blanket that’s more for show than anything, then Matalan has a super cute Multicoloured Pumpkin Print Throw for £7 that is sure to add a tiny bit of colour and pattern to your space. Alternatively, if it’s a pop of orange that you’re after this autumn, check out the Orange Plain Super Soft Throw for £5 or the Autumn Check Super Soft Throw for £6 from ASDA George, which would both look lovely draped over your sofa to make it look super inviting.

If you’re after something with a nod to autumn without being tacky, then check out these classy Hello Autumn Letter Embroidery Covers for £4.75 from Shein. With just a little pop of orange, these would look great, without making your space feel busy. Another great option is the Natural Little Linear Tufted Pumpkin Cushion for £10 from ASDA George. This is part of the Stacey Solomon collection so it’s sure to look classy and cute on your sofa.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to swap out a few of your usual cushion covers with some orange basics, then these cushion covers might be something you’d love. The Tufted Tassel Decor Cover for £6 from Shein would be perfect for those whose homes are boho chic, and the Nordic Style Velvet Orange Cover for £3, or the Solid Orange Cushion Cover for £2.50 with their velvety design help to add texture and dimension.

So, you want to make your sofa look simply irresistible for autumn without the bright colours? At Matalan, they have a beautiful, affordable autumn range including the Tan Woven Check Cushion for £10. While this one doesn’t scream autumn, it’s just right for those who prefer a subtle nod at the cosy months ahead. Another option is the Natural Embroidered Pumpkin Cushion for £12 which is a lovely shade of brown that is sure to make you want to cosy up with a hot chocolate.

For those who love neutrals with a little bit of an autumn colour palette, check out the Multicoloured Pumpkin Print Cushion for £9 from Matalan. This one is reversible so you can choose whether you’d prefer the neutral side on show or a little bit of colour. One that would look great paired with this is the Natural Hello Autumn Slogan Cushion for £9 from ASDA George as part of Stacey Solomon’s autumn range.

Is it your turn to host your yearly autumn dinner party? Make sure that you’re the hostess with the most-est with these cute autumnal tableware pieces. Whether you’re cooking a delicious soup, pasta dish, or baked camembert, make sure you serve it in this Orange Halloween Pumpkin Serving Bowl for £12 from ASDA George. Paired with the Pack of 2 Orange Pumpkin Shape Plates for £14, you’ll get an A+ for effort. For sweet treats, check out this Orange Ceramic Pumpkin Bowl for £4.99 from Tk Maxx.

Providing that you’re not Decorating Rented Property, and you’ve already got some prints hung on your walls, why not switch some out for autumn? Etsy is a fantastic website for sourcing affordable and high-quality prints, whatever the occasion. So, if you fancy changing things up and giving your walls a little autumn spruce up, then check out some of the prints they’ve got. If modern farmhouse is your style, then you will love the Fall Pumpkin Gallery Wall Set of 10 prints for £2.70+ or the Hello Autumn Farmhouse Sign for £14.90. For lovers of watercolour, check out the Autumn Watercolour Quote Print for £3.15+, which is available in several sizes and designs, and comes with a personalisation option.

Plants and foliage can really help your space feel clean, refreshed, and put together. During autumn, we see some of the most beautiful colours as the leaves go from green to orange and brown. So, bring some of the outdoors inside by adding some autumn foliage to your home. Whether it’s a bouquet of dried flowers, some faux leaves, or something a little different than your usual, we’ve got some great suggestions.

There are so many fun and funky duvet sets on the market. If you’re all about orange, then at ASDA George, you can find their White Halloween Pumpkin Reversible Duvet Set for £11. With it’s adorable pumpkin pattern and reversible design, you’ll be getting more for your money. Some other great alternatives include the Witchy Vibes Halloween Duvet Set for £21 from Matalan, or the Double Multicoloured Pumpkin Duvet Set for £14.99 from Tk Maxx.

Okay so we know this one is a bit niche, but if you’re a true autumn enthusiast, then you’ll simply love these bathroom bits. ASDA George and Next have got your back. From Orange Pumpkin Towel Sets for £8 and Pumpkin Bath Towels for £8, to Pumpkin Shaped Bath Mats for £10, and Halloween Pumpkin Soap Dispensers for £10, they’ve got all of the bathroom essentials you’ll ever need or want.

So, you’ve bought all of your autumnal essentials, and you’ve transformed your space into a cosy wonderland - now you need a warm beverage. From how to make the most of your Coffee Subscription, to how much you have to spend to get a free coffee, with the autumnal months fast approaching, ‘tis the season of indulging in your favourite warm drinks, so whether it’s a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, a classic pumpkin-spiced latte, a cinnamon tea, or something a little more out there, now is the time to enjoy it best.

Whatever you’re drinking, make sure you enjoy it in your favourite autumn mug. If you’re after a new one this year or want to start a collection, then see what you think of our suggestions. At ASDA George, they have a few super cute and affordable mugs including the Pumpkin Cappucino Mug for £3, and if you’re a tea drinker, definitely check out the adorable Orange Halloween Pumpkin Teapot for £8 which would be perfect for hosting an autumnal tea and cakes afternoon with your nearest and dearest.

If you can’t get enough of a classic Starbucks pumpkin spiced latte and want to get your daily dose from the comfort of your own home, then make sure you check out the following bits and pieces. At Etsy, they have a Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix for £12.98, and for those who prefer their PSL iced, they’ve got a Pumpkin Spice Iced Coffee Kit for £12.99 so you don’t miss out either. Make sure you give your drink that finishing touch with this adorable Autumn Coffee Stencil Set for £9.

I’m Layla, the home and garden editor, and I started working at MyVoucherCodes in November 2022. I have always loved to write, especially after getting my degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and since getting my own place, I’ve gotten stuck into all things home and garden.

When I’m not writing about saving money on homely purchases, I’m either sitting with my head in a new book, painting a piece of art for my walls, or binge-watching an interior design programme on Netflix. I love to get inspiration and transform my space, usually with the help of a few Pinterest boards and a couple of tins of paint.