Fall decorating doesn’t have to mean a trip to the store and a cart full of new stuff.
If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you may have noticed the rise of “anti-hauls,” videos where people show off what they didn’t buy and why. The trend is part of a larger push toward using what you already have, shopping secondhand and making things last instead of constantly replacing them.
Fall decorating is a perfect place to put that mindset into practice. Before you buy something new, try the anti-haul approach: reuse what you have, repair what you can and donate what no longer fits your space.
Here are a few ways to get your home ready for fall while keeping usable items in circulation.
Reuse: Shop Your Own House First
Before buying anything new, take a lap around your home. You may already have everything you need to create a cozy fall look.
- Mason jars or glass bottles: Line them up on a mantel or windowsill as candle holders or fill them with flowers for an easy centerpiece.
- Extra baskets: Put those baskets gathering dust in a closet to work by filling them with gourds, pinecones or apples.
- Old flannels: Turn worn or outgrown flannels into fabric for a patchwork table runner or other seasonal craft.
- Branches or pinecones: Gather natural materials from your yard and arrange them in a bowl or vase for a simple centerpiece. When you’re done with them, return appropriate materials to your yard or compost them.
Need something you don’t already have? Shop secondhand before buying new. Thrift stores often start setting out seasonal decor months in advance, and inventory changes frequently. Check back throughout the season to find something that works with what you already own.
Repair: A Little DIY Can Go a Long Way
Before tossing a favorite piece of fall decor, see if a small repair can give it another season of use. Keeping an item in use longer means one less usable item heading to the landfill and one less replacement purchase.
Try these simple fixes:
- String lights: Check the fuse in the plug or replace individual bulbs before getting rid of the entire strand.
- Fall banners or bunting: Restitch a torn seam or frayed edge by hand.
- Painted signs or pumpkins: Lightly sand chipped areas and give them a fresh coat of paint.
- Cracked planters or urns: Small cracks may be repairable with an outdoor-rated epoxy or filler.
For projects that need more than a quick DIY fix, the Choose to Reuse map can help. Select “Repair” from the category dropdown, then narrow your search by type, including furniture, appliances, apparel and more, to find local repair businesses and services.
Donate: Let Someone Else Enjoy It
Not every piece of decor will earn a spot in your rotation forever. If last year’s look isn’t your style anymore, or you’re decorating differently this year, consider donating before you toss it.
Passing along usable items keeps them in circulation and gives someone else an opportunity to find affordable decor for their home.
Consider donating:
- Gently used decor: Wreaths, working string lights, table linens and seasonal decorations can all have a second life.
- Extra or duplicate items: If you have more than you need, pass the extras along rather than storing them indefinitely.
- Costumes and party supplies: Seasonal swaps and reuse programs can be a good option for items connected to Halloween and other fall celebrations.
Before putting usable items in the trash, check the Choose to Reuse map. Select “Donate” from the category dropdown to find local drop-off locations that accept home goods and seasonal items.
Fall Decor, the Anti-Haul Way
Anti-haul isn’t about never buying anything. It’s about being more intentional about what comes into your home and what goes out.
This fall, start with what you already have. Repair something instead of replacing it. Shop secondhand when you need something new to you. And when an item no longer works for your space, give someone else the opportunity to use it.
You don’t need a haul to get the fall look you want. Sometimes, the best place to shop is your own home.
