Cozy Fall Charm: 5 Weekend DIY Projects for a Modern Farmhouse Home

As the leaves change from vibrant greens to warm hues of red, orange, and gold, and the crisp air whispers promises of cozy evenings, there's a natural inclination to retreat indoors and create a welcoming haven. This Fall, embrace the warmth and charm of modern farmhouse style with simple, DIY projects that bring the beauty of the season into your home.

In this post, you'll discover five easy, affordable, and sustainable home DIY projects that will transform your living space into a cozy living modern farmhouse life retreat. We’ll focus on incorporating seasonal harvest elements while striking a balance between creating something unique and knowing when to buy to achieve the best backyard projects. We'll tackle the "DIY vs. Buy" dilemma, offering guidance on when to roll up your sleeves and when it's best to leave it to the professionals (or the store shelves!) all while using organic gardening techniques and finding ways to compost items.

1. Upcycled Fall Centerpiece: A Touch of Rustic Charm

A seasonal centerpiece instantly elevates any dining table or mantel, becoming a focal point that captures the essence of fall. This project is all about embracing sustainable home practices by repurposing items you already have.

Creating Your Rustic Masterpiece:

Think beyond traditional vases! Consider using an old galvanized bucket, a weathered wooden crate, or even a vintage bowl rescued from a flea market. The imperfections add character and contribute to the farmhouse aesthetic.

Gather natural elements like miniature pumpkins, uniquely shaped gourds, vibrant dried flowers (think sunflowers or hydrangeas), colorful fall foliage, and fragrant pinecones. For a longer-lasting centerpiece, incorporate faux pumpkins or gourds alongside the real ones.

Actionable Tips:

1. Gather your container and desired natural elements. If using a bucket or trough, you may want to add floral foam at the base for support.
2. Start with your larger items (pumpkins, gourds) and arrange them at the base, creating a visual anchor.
3. Fill in the gaps with foliage, dried flowers, and pinecones, layering textures and colors for depth.
4. Add some height by using small branches or taller flowers, creating visual interest.

DIY vs. Buy Consideration:

While premade centerpieces are readily available, DIYing allows for unparalleled personalization and significant cost savings. Plus, you're promoting repurposing and reducing waste, aligning with a sustainable home lifestyle.

Key Takeaway: A beautiful centerpiece reflecting the season can be crafted from unexpected materials, adding warmth and personality to any room. Don't be afraid to get creative and let your personal style shine!

2. DIY Cozy Throw Pillows: Adding Comfort and Style

Throw pillows are the unsung heroes of cozy living, instantly transforming a sofa, armchair, or even a bed into a more inviting space. With a little fabric and some basic sewing skills, you can create custom throw pillows that perfectly complement your modern farmhouse décor.

Upcycling Fabrics for a Farmhouse Feel:

Look for fabric scraps, repurposed textiles like old blankets, vintage linens, or even burlap sacks. These materials add texture and a sense of history, contributing to the farmhouse life aesthetic.

Consider incorporating fabrics with subtle patterns or textures, such as ticking stripes, gingham, or linen. These patterns evoke a sense of classic farmhouse charm. You can also use fabric paint to create stamped or stenciled designs on the pillow covers. Consider using fern or floral prints for a seasonal theme.

Actionable Tips:

1. Measure your pillow insert (typically 18"x18" or 20"x20") and cut fabric according to the dimensions, adding an extra inch on all sides for seam allowance and several inches for the envelope closure on the back.
2. Sew the side seams of the pillow cover, leaving the top open.
3. Fold over the top edges to create the envelope closure (overlapping the fabric), and sew them in place.
4. Turn the pillow cover right side out and insert the pillow form.

DIY vs. Buy Consideration:

While buying throw pillows is undeniably convenient, DIYing offers unparalleled customization and the opportunity to use up fabric scraps, reducing waste and saving money.

Key Takeaway: Transform your living space with cozy living throw pillows that express your personal style and add warmth to your modern farmhouse life aesthetic.

3. Homemade Fall-Scented Candles: Filling Your Home with Warmth

The scents of fall – cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spice – evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia. Creating your own sustainable home homemade candles allows you to fill your home with these inviting fragrances while using natural ingredients and avoiding harmful chemicals.

A Natural Approach to Fragrance:

Opt for soy wax flakes, which are a natural and renewable resource, and essential oils for fragrance. You can also incorporate dried spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or star anise for a richer scent. Repurpose old jars, teacups, or even small mason jars as candle containers.

Actionable Tips:

1. Melt soy wax flakes in a double boiler or microwave (in short intervals, stirring frequently).
2. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add essential oils and dried spices to the melted wax, stirring well to ensure even distribution. Aim for about 1 ounce of essential oil per pound of wax.
3. Attach a wick to the bottom of the container using a glue dot or a small amount of melted wax. Center the wick using a clothespin or pencil placed across the top of the container.
4. Pour the wax into the container, leaving some space at the top.
5. Let the candle cool and harden completely (this may take several hours) before trimming the wick to about 1/4 inch.

DIY vs. Buy Consideration:

While store-bought candles are readily available, making your own allows for complete control over the ingredients and scent, avoiding synthetic fragrances and supporting eco-friendly practices.

Key Takeaway: Fill your cozy living home with the warm and inviting scents of fall with these easy and natural homemade candles.

4. Painted Mason Jar Organizers: Practicality Meets Farmhouse Charm

Mason jars are a quintessential farmhouse life staple, and they offer endless possibilities for storage and organization. With a little paint, you can transform plain mason jars into stylish organizers for storing kitchen utensils, craft supplies, or bathroom essentials.

Creating a Distressed Farmhouse Look:

Consider using chalk paint for a matte finish and a distressed, farmhouse look. Experiment with different paint colors, stencils, or even hand-painted designs to customize the jars. Add labels to the jars for better organization.

Actionable Tips:

1. Clean and dry the mason jars thoroughly.
2. Apply a coat of primer to the jars (optional, but recommended for better paint adhesion) and let it dry completely.
3. Paint the jars with your desired color, using multiple coats if needed for full coverage.
4. Once the paint is dry, distress the paint with sandpaper for a vintage look, focusing on edges and raised areas.
5. Seal the paint with a clear coat to protect it from wear and tear.

DIY vs. Buy Consideration:

While storage containers are readily available, painting mason jars allows for upcycling and creating unique, personalized organizers that perfectly fit the farmhouse aesthetic.

Key Takeaway: Add a touch of farmhouse life charm and practical storage to your home with these simple and stylish painted mason jar organizers.

5. Rustic Wood Sign: A Personal Touch for Your Home

Rustic wood signs are a classic farmhouse life decor element, adding warmth, character, and a touch of personalization to any space. Creating your own wood sign allows you to showcase your favorite quotes, family names, or seasonal greetings.

Reclaiming Wood and Adding a Message:

Use reclaimed wood for a truly rustic feel, or opt for inexpensive lumber from your local hardware store. Paint the sign with a background color (creamy white, gray, or a muted pastel are great choices), and then add a stenciled or hand-lettered message. Consider using inspiring quotes, family names, or seasonal greetings. Distress the sign for a vintage look by sanding the edges.

Actionable Tips:

1. Prepare the wood by sanding it smooth and applying a coat of primer.
2. Paint the wood with your desired background color and let it dry completely.
3. Create a stencil or hand-letter your message onto the sign using paint or a paint marker.
4. Once the paint is dry, seal the paint with a clear coat to protect it from wear and tear.
5. Distress the edges of the sign with sandpaper.

DIY vs. Buy Consideration:

Wood signs can be expensive to purchase, but they are also relatively easy to craft. DIYing a wood sign offers significant cost savings and allows for complete personalization.

Key Takeaway: A DIY wood sign adds a personal touch and cozy living rustic charm to your modern farmhouse life decor.

Embracing the Season's Spirit

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow cooler, there's no better time to create a cozy living and welcoming home that reflects the beauty and warmth of the fall season. These simple DIY projects offer a wonderful way to bring the beauty of nature indoors and celebrate the small moments of joy and connection that come with the fall season. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your living space into a cozy living modern farmhouse life retreat that you'll love coming home to each and every day.

We'd love to see how you're incorporating these DIY projects into your modern farmhouse life home! Share photos of your creations on Instagram using #BetterHomesHarvests or leave a comment below with your favorite fall decor tips. What other DIY projects are you planning for the fall season? Let's inspire each other and create a warm and welcoming online community! Want more ideas like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our newsletter!