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Color Schemes to Use When Decorating With Flowers This Fall

Believe it or not, autumn is already here, and that means it’s time to start getting into the spirit of the season. In addition to partaking in traditional fall activities, such as apple and pumpkin picking, a popular thing to do is spice up the home with fall decor. However, pumpkin-scented candles, garland-like leaves, and spooky lights aren’t the only items you can use to spread your love for the season in your home — flowers can be, too!

Here are some of the best fall colors and schemes to use when choosing flowers as your fall home decor of choice.

Orange

Though autumn leaves come in various shades of yellows, reds, and even the occasional browns, the best color to use when decorating for fall with flowers is orange. From light to dark and everything in between, you can’t go wrong with this color in a floral arrangement. Here are some top shades of orange:

‘Pumpkin’ orange

One of the first things that comes to mind when we think of autumn and the color orange is a pumpkin. After all, it is one of the primary symbols of the season — and an orange one at that! If you’re not sure which shade of orange to choose for your fall decor, rest assured that anything resembling a pumpkin’s natural color is sure to work well.

Butternut orange

Looking for something just a tad darker? Then you may benefit from flowers that are butternut orange in color. While they may not be as vibrant as an orange autumn rose or pot of mums, flowers in this shade can still fulfill the “orange” portion of your decor without straying too far from the desired color scheme.

Burnt orange

Hoping to add a bit of a rustic feel to your home this fall? If so, consider flowers that come in one of the darkest shades of orange — burnt orange. But don’t worry, using this color won’t make your home seem dreary; in fact, it can even make your brighter yellows and reds pop more than they already do.

An animated ad for 1800flowers.com's fall collection

If you’re looking outside the orange spectrum, consider choosing from the following colors.

Rust

Can’t decide between more red or more orange? Try rust! A color that conveys a little of both, this is a great choice for any fall floral decor. Tip: You may find it mixes with golds and browns best.

Bronze

Bronze is the perfect color if you want to make your home appear calm. And the best part is, this color isn’t too bright or too dark, so it’s an excellent happy medium that can complement the rest of your floral arrangements.

Burgundy

On the border of red and purple, burgundy is an awesome color to add to your floral decor. Although it is a bit darker than the bright red roses you may be considering, it can add a soothing touch to your home.

Plum

Straying from the typical oranges, reds, and yellows is plum. Although this may not be an obvious fall color, you’d be surprised at how good it looks when paired with other autumn hues. Peep this arrangement and see for yourself!

We’ve covered the recommended colors and color combos for fall, but which ones should be avoided this time of year? While pink is the perfect choice for an anniversary arrangement or the welcoming of a new baby girl, your best bet when it comes to fall home decor is to stick with traditional autumn colors. However, if you do have the need for an anniversary gift or another special occasion this season where pink is usually the top pick, you could find success with one of the above fall colors, too.

Fall colors bonus tip

If you have yet to decide which flowers you’ll use to make your home cozy and warm this fall, keep in mind that the best flowers to use are mums, lilies, roses, and wheat. And just like you should try to avoid using spring colors to make your fall decor stand out, stay away from spring flowers such as tulips, irises, and peonies when putting together a floral arrangement to decorate your home.

Sunflower Decor Ideas

The sunflower is a symbol of happiness, strength, loyalty, and adoration. Because the sunflower always turns its face to the sun, it has also come to symbolize faith and the constant search for light, or enlightenment. All in all, it is one of the most beloved flowers on the planet.

Its overwhelming popularity also makes it a popular choice for decorating. These two sunflower decor ideas are the perfect way to incorporate the irresistible beauty and warmth of the sunflower into your next summer get-together.

Vintage sunflower tabletop

sunflower decor with Sunflower Tablescape with DIY Placemats

This fall-themed tabletop features vases and placemats that play into the sunflower theme, and can be assembled in mere minutes.

Use antique single-flower vases

For an updated twist on a traditional centerpiece, line an assortment of vintage-style green and yellow bottles, each holding a single sunflower, down the center of the table. This creates a garden of sunflowers with their faces looking up at the sun!

How to make sunflower placemats

Sunflowers come in many different colors and sizes, from mini to giant. These super-size sunflower placemats make a big impact and are so easy to make!

Materials

sunflower decor with Supplies for DIY Sunflower Placemats

Cardboard circle (approximately 10 inches in diameter)
Salal leaves (20 to 25 leaves in various sizes; fake leaves can work too for a longer-lasting placemat)
Glue
Yellow spray paint
Brown paint
Sponge

Instructions

Step 1

Cut one cardboard circle for each placemat. (This is a good use for old cardboard boxes!) Each circle should be about 10 inches in diameter. I used a dinner plate as a template to trace a circle onto the cardboard, which worked perfectly. Use the sponge to add brown paint to your circle, leaving a bit of the original cardboard color showing through to create a textured look for your sunflower center.

sunflower decor with DIY Sunflower Placemats

Step 2

Cut all the salal leaves from the stem and spray paint them yellow. Once they have dried, glue the wider end of the larger-sized leaves to the edge of the cardboard circle.

Step 3

Glue the smaller leaves between each of the larger leaves.

With fresh salal leaves, the sunflower placemats can be made a day or two before you plan to use them. Keep them flat and in a cool place.

These super fun sunflower decor ideas will help set the mood at a summer party and add a brightness and whimsy to the proceedings. After all, everyone is happier around sunflowers!

Patriotic Flowers to Decorate Your Home With

With Independence Day right around the corner, most of us have one thing on our mind — patriotic decorations. Perhaps no historical day is more beloved among Americans than the Fourth of July. And for that reason, it’s no surprise that people go out of their way to cover their homes in all things red, white, and blue!

This holiday, show your love for your country with the help of these patriotic flowers.

Red, white, and blue arrangements

Celebrate America all day (and night) long by making this colorful arrangement the focal point of your gathering. Talk about an American dream!

patriotic flowers with patriotic dog bouquet

Patriotic pups

With Yankee Doodle Doggie™ at your party, things are sure to get dandy. After all, what better way to celebrate the dog days of summer than with a patriotic party pooch of your very own!?

Roses

While it may seem like roses are the official flower of Valentine’s Day, they’re actually the official flower of the United States. It was President Ronald Reagan who declared roses the national flower emblem in 1986. The White House Rose Garden is also home to many diplomatic meetings and bill signings.

Dazzling wreaths

Show your pride to everyone who passes your home with the help of a red, white, and beautiful wreath. Particularly perfect for the upcoming holiday, it features an American flag-inspired bow.

Not feeling the traditional red, white, and blue decorations this year? Break away from the pack by incorporating patriotic flowers that hold a special place in American history into your decor.

Jasmine

Aside from the President himself, greenery was a major theme for President Barack Obama’s official portrait, which was unveiled in February 2018. Present among the green leaves were several flowers, one of which was white jasmine. The artist, Kehinde Wiley, said white jasmine was included to represent Obama’s Hawaiian birthplace. Chrysanthemums can also be found growing in the background. They were included to symbolize Chicago, the city Obama grew up in before becoming senator of Illinois.

Poppies

Poppies, which have come to symbolize American lives lost to war, are often worn by Americans on patriotic holidays. This practice was inspired by the 1915 poem “In Flanders Fields,” in which the writer, John McCrae, describes the sea of poppies that could be seen as fallen soldiers were being buried.

Peonies

White pe o nies were a favorite among several first ladies, including Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Reagan. If it were up to Nancy Reagan, white peonies would have been used in arrangements around the White House and for political gatherings far more. Rumor has it that her chief floral designer had to tell her on several occasions that peonies couldn’t be used for events taking place in the summer, fall, and winter because they only bloom in spring.

Carnations

As the flower behind the historic “Flower Power” image, carnations became a universal symbol of peace and love after a photographer captured Vietnam War protesters sticking carnations into the barrel of a soldier’s rifle.