I have so been enjoying the month of November – the mornings/days have finally been chilly, the leaves have been changing here in the south, the house feels cozy with touches of fall decor, and it just has finally felt like fall! I really enjoyed putting together my fall mantel and living room this year too even though it was later than most people. Last year we had just moved in May, had a baby in June, had major projects going on in our fixer upper house and I just didn’t do as much fall decorating. So this year it was even more special!
So here’s my simple, neutral fall mantel!
This year I wanted to decorate using all neutrals for fall – so lots of browns, white, green, cream, and metallics like gold or copper and no oranges, reds and brighter colors. Sometimes I find its fun to mix things up and challenge myself to use what I have to create a different look. I don’t buy all new decor for each season but just use what I have with maybe a few new yard sale finds or one or two new things i found. The window was a thrifted find and seems to be sort of the staple piece of my seasonal mantels right now, the barn style shutters were a DIY project I built a few years ago for a fall mantel, the cotton wreath is another DIY and under $20, and the gold Thankful banner came from Target dollar section for $1 and the pumpkins were a few dollars at Target as well.
I posted it on facebook one morning to my friends and a few commented how they loved on the more simple/uncluttered decorated look. And I have to agree! I find myself definitely going more and more that way as my decor style changes, maybe as I get older and in a different stage of life with a baby, and honestly that uncluttered look is something that I am craving in my entire home. I have purged and sold huge piles of stuff at 4 yard sales since we moved 18 months ago (now granted adding a baby that grows out of something every day it seems has added to those piles 
) but I find myself getting rid of more and craving less and less.
So this mantel is simple, yet cozy and just conveys the season perfectly with the touches of natural elements like cotton and pumpkins, the muted neutral colors of white, brown, cream and gold of fall, and the rustic yet refined casual farmhouse look that seems so comfortable to me.
A simple arrangement in a basket or tray seems to be my go-to decor for my coffee table these days. So a copper lantern, cotton stems, and Target dollar spot velvet pumpkins.
Because I went with all neutrals I didn’t have as many fall themed pillows to use but that was ok as I just kept my normal cream/brown ones out and it still felt cozy.
I love this chippy old white basket I found a yard sale recently for $1.00 and it found a place on the hearth filled with extra throws and blankets for the chilly evenings.
Several of you asked for an updated picture of my living room so here it is all decorated for fall.
I keep a few baskets of toys and books in the living room since she wants to play right where I am while I am either in the kitchen or living room. I love keeping toys in baskets – it makes cleanup a breeze and still look pretty and fit perfectly fine in my living room 
That large clock on the wall is another yard sale find but it originally came from Hobby Lobby and you can find similar at Kirkland’s too.
You may notice one small change in here with the coffee table and there’s going to be a few more changes before Christmas so I’ll try to share all of those in a post soon.
I love using battery operated candles with timer around the house – it allows me to have that candlelight feel every evening with no work, mess or safety hazard.
So there’s my simple, neutral, farmhouse style fall mantel! It definitely just echoes fall and yet also reflects the season of thankfulness we are in as we near Thanksgiving.
You can see all of my other fall mantel posts here – just click on the picture or link to be taken to each one. Definitely fun to look back and see how my style has evolved and changed through the years.
It does look so cozy and inviting! I really like the lantern and the pitcher with the cotton. I think you’ve used just the right amount of accessories, sometimes”less is best”.
Blessings to your family this Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the encouragement, Christina ! I just wish everything you do was as easy as you make it.
Love your neutral fall mantel and the pictures of your family room all decorated for fall! I am loving the neutral palette you chose….so warm and inviting, especially with the glow of the candles. I kept toys and books in baskets in our family room when our boy were small, too. And I love her little chair in there, as well. Thanks for sharing…..happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
I love all your mantels. I believe you’re right in that as we age we want less. I think we learn that the more we have, the more we have to take care of and the less time we have to do what’s important. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Yes I agree that less is better. I love the neutral colors. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Can’t wait to see your Thanksgiving table.