This article was prepared from source material provided by The Spruce, which includes quotes from interior designer Rebekah Murphy and credited photography. No independent reporting or fact-checking was conducted.

Interior designer Rebekah Murphy, co-founder of Murphy & Moore Design, says several common fall decorating habits tend to make homes look cheap rather than festive. In guidance shared with The Spruce, she identified seven specific choices she considers played out and offered alternatives built around natural materials and muted seasonal tones.

"Fall decor feels most elevated when it is layered in thoughtfully rather than copied from a Pinterest board," Murphy said. "Fall is about slowing down and embracing a cozy feeling. The best seasonal decor starts with atmosphere, not accessories, and focuses on building warmth through texture, mood, and color."

Tacky fall decor including fall sign and plastic pumpkins Tacky fall decor including fall sign and plastic pumpkins

Credit: The Spruce / Brie Goldman

What Murphy Says Looks Dated

Murphy attributed the problem to mass-produced items rather than design intent. "Mantels crammed with faux leaves, glittered pumpkins, and 'Hello Fall' signs feel more party store than personal," she said. She also flagged dining tables set with plastic pumpkins and burlap accents, which she said "often look cheap under natural light."

tacky fall mantel decor

Kristen Prahl / Getty Images

Outdoor displays drew similar criticism. Murphy said porches stacked with hay bales, scarecrows, and identical pumpkins "can resemble roadside farm stands," while lawns with inflatable turkeys or solar-powered pumpkins "rarely add charm" and "tend to feel staged, repetitive, and disconnected from the home's character."

tacky fall-themed tray on coffee table

Svittlana Kuchina / Getty Images

Indoors, she cautioned against cluttering coffee tables with themed trays and small tchotchkes, and against seasonal novelty pillows, which she described as cheesy and saccharine. Overly bright faux foliage made from plastic or other unsustainable materials can look "garish and off-putting," she added.

tacky fall dining table decorations

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Her Recommended Swaps

Murphy's alternatives center on texture and restraint. She suggested decorating with linen, wool, leather, wood, ceramic, and aged brass, and adding depth with dried florals, branches, and textured pottery. For color, she pointed to muted tones such as rust, olive, ochre, burgundy, charcoal, and warm neutrals including oatmeal, taupe, and clay.

tacky front porch fall decorations

wsmahar / Getty Images

On tables, she recommended a linen runner, tapered candles, and dried florals or moody-toned fruit in place of plastic pumpkins and burlap. For porches, she suggested planters filled with ornamental kale, grasses, or pansies, mixed with heirloom pumpkins, potted mums, real candles in lanterns, and wood crates for height and variety.

tacky fall lawn ornaments

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For wreaths, Murphy advised choosing handmade or foraged versions of eucalyptus, dried hydrangea, or bare branches rather than store-bought ones. She also recommended swapping novelty throw pillows for bouclé, wool, or mohair in seasonal tones.

tacky front porch fall decor with faux wreaths and garlands

Тодорчук Екатерина / Getty Images

Her broader principle was to work with existing decor. "The most successful fall decor blends seamlessly into your existing home," Murphy said. "Start with what you already have and build on your current palette and style so seasonal pieces complement rather than compete."

tacky fall novelty throw pillows

Kristen Prahl / Getty Images

Editorial Notes