By Jess, Indiana watercolor artist and maker of Art and Home co. · Updated October 2026
You don't need pumpkins for a fall kitchen. Swap in one fall tea towel, lean one print on the counter, and put a bowl of apples where there's nothing now. Three small changes, ten minutes, and the room feels like October.
Here's what I'd actually do.
What can I use for fall kitchen decor besides pumpkins?
Start with one of these:
A fall tea towel on the oven handle. The easiest swap there is. The new Pink Cosmos Tea Towel is fall without being loud about it.
A print leaning on the counter. Set a framed print against the backsplash or the wall, no hammer needed. The Hay Bale Farm print feels like October in Indiana, and the Golden Hour Landscape has warm light that works all fall.
A bowl of apples or pears. Real fruit, in a bowl you already own. You'll eat it, which is the point.
A few branches in a jar. Grab something from the yard. No florist, no cost.
A candle you already have. Light it while you're cooking dinner. Skip buying a new one.
How do I decorate for fall without cluttering the kitchen?
Swap, don't add. Take something out as you put something in. If a fall towel goes on the oven, the summer one goes in the drawer. Counters work best when you can still chop on them.
What colors feel like fall in a kitchen?
Warm ones. Rust, soft pink, golden yellow, deep green. You don't need all of them. One towel and one print in the same warm tone ties the room together.
Do I need to buy new things?
No. Shop your own house first. A bowl, a jar, a basket, a branch from outside. Then add one new thing you'll love, like a towel or a print.
How do I switch it back after Thanksgiving?
Put the fall towel in the drawer, and the print goes to a shelf or a bedside table. Nothing to unhang, nothing to store in a bin. That's the point of keeping it simple.
Is a fall tea towel a good gift?
Yes, especially for a host. She'll use it that same week, and it looks lovely on her oven handle. Tie it with twine and add a handwritten note. See more in the tea towel collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decorate my kitchen for fall on a budget?
Use what you have: a bowl of apples, branches from the yard, a candle. Add one fall tea towel for $20 and you're done.
Can I decorate for fall without pumpkins?
Yes. A fall tea towel, a leaning print, and a bowl of fruit say fall just as well.
How much do prints cost?
Art and Home co. prints are $12 for a 5x7, $20 for an 8x10, and $28 for an 11x14.
Where can I buy hand-painted fall tea towels?
My tea towels are here. I paint every design in Indiana, and most orders ship from my studio in 3-5 business days.
Jess is an Indiana watercolor artist, a mom of two boys, and a minister's wife. She paints every design for Art and Home co. by hand. Created to give.