How to Use a Basket for a Fall Display

Baskets are one of the easiest and most versatile ways to add warmth and texture to your fall decor. If you are looking for a way to style a fall basket, you are in the right place. Whether they are metal, wire, or wood, baskets can hold everything from pumpkins to cozy throws, and they work in every room of your home.

I have to be careful when I shop, or I would have a houseful of baskets. You can find beautiful ones new at stores like HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby, but some of my favorites came from estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, and antique malls. Finding a vintage basket gives me an extra special thrill, though a new one works just as well for creating a fabulous fall vignette.

Below, I am sharing one of my favorite fall basket displays, one you can use as a welcoming front porch display or for a cozy mantel or hearth. With autumn on the horizon, it is the perfect time to pull out your baskets and create a warm, inviting look for your home.

fall basket display on hearth in neutral colors

Why Do We Love Baskets?

Let me count the ways.

Their versatility – can be used anywhere in our homes
Their practicality – for holding laundry, towels, throws, toys, magazines, jewelry, or anything
For home decor – yea! – my favorite
Can be used any time of year for any holiday or season
Affordability – price points to fit any budget
Accessibility – multiple stores, estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, online
So many different materials, styles, and sizes.

Styling Ideas with a Fall Basket

I don’t know about you, but I love finding inspiration for my home decor. I find inspiration in magazines. Southern Home, Southern Living, HGTV, Cottage and Bungalows are some of my favorites.

Pinterest and Instagram, of course, are also sources of great inspiration.

I “fell over my basket” when I saw the inspiration for a basket vignette from Janelle of Janelle Trinette. Does this vignette say fall or what?

Since I had most of the “ingredients” for this vignette, I decided to duplicate it as best I could for the hearth in our living room.

Basket Inspiration Display Ingredients

Let’s look at the vignette in detail.

a wood background – I think it’s a door
a large round woven basket
large wood slices
wheat and feathers
a throw or piece of fabric
lots of white/neutral pumpkins

My Basket Style Ingredients

I was determined to use only items that I had on hand. I like to gather more things than I think I might use.

My wood background will be a rescued teak table leaf. It’s part of the teak table that I bought at an estate sale and restored.

I will use the large round woven basket that I found at the same time as the teak table. I paid $7.50 for it. The leather embellishment gives the basket more character. It would be easy to add a small piece of leather or other fabric to a woven basket.

One large wood slice I bought at a local design store a few years ago.
Another round woven basket
Two small hay bales I saved from last year – don’t take the plastic off them.
Two burlap bags stuffed with paper

I couldn’t find my wheat sheaf bundle, and I didn’t have any feathers. I did have plenty of faux fall foliage on hand.

A variety of neutral pumpkins
A tall wood candlestick – one of a pair I bought a few years ago at Tuesday Morning – which I still miss.

With my ingredients gathered, I was ready to start my fall basket styling.

Styling the Fall Basket Vignette

Now let the fun begin. I’ll take you through the process of exactly how I styled this fall basket vignette.

To fill the basket, I used a pillow, paper or fabric to stuff it. I used a pillow filler. This will give more height to your decor.

Next, I used a piece of fabric to cover the stuffing. I had several to choose from, and I chose this neutral piece. It also adds color and texture.

I chose three faux foliage stems in subtle shades of cream, tan, and dark yellow-gold – perfect for fall colors. It was easy to stuff them in the basket.

fall basket display on hearth in neutral flowers

At this point, I remembered my teak table leaf and leaned it against the glass doors of the fireplace. It provides a natural backdrop.

Next came pumpkins in natural colors. Each pumpkin has a different texture.

The one in the back is the yarn pumpkin I made last year. I love the twig pumpkin that I’ve had for years. The one in the front is from Joann.

basket of fall foliage in front of wood slats

Now, I made another adjustment. I decided my fall basket styling needed more height.

Sweet Shark helped me carry my antique ship captain’s toolbox to the hearth. I bought it in Jefferson, Texas, 30 – 40 years ago. It’s held everything from VCRs (remember those?) and Legos to stuffed animals and blankets.

Much better.

The antique chest not only gave more height to the display, but it also provided the rich warmth of old wood and a touch of vintage whimsy.

Now it was time to balance the basket with more fall items.

First, I placed the other round basket upside down on the toolbox. The wood slice went on top.

One more large pumpkin – one I made with twine last year.

For more balance, I added one of my wood candlesticks topped with a plain brown paper-maiché pumpkin.

white yarn pumpkin on wood slice in fall basket display

In front of the toolbox, I tucked in the two hay bales, the two burlap bags, and a tumble of small white painted pumpkins. Together, these elements add different textures that are distinctly fall.

Finally, I added one more DIY twine pumpkin.

Now my idea for fall basket display was complete – interesting, balanced and a great focal point on the hearth..

This fall basket styling display will add the first feeling of fall for the year. There is subtle fall color, lots of texture, and interesting pieces to see.

Favorite Fall Things to Decorate Your Home

If you don’t have enough fall accessories to get your home ready for the season, here are some favorites that I found. Any of these decorative items will add to your fall vignettes.

FAQ for Fall Display with Basket

How do you use a basket for a fall display?

Fill a basket with seasonal touches like faux or real pumpkins, gourds, dried florals, pinecones, or a folded cozy throw. Vary the heights of what you add, and let a few stems or leaves spill over the edge for a natural, layered look. Baskets also make a beautiful base for a fall display on a console table, mantel, or entryway.

Where can I buy baskets for fall decorating?

You can find baskets new at stores like HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby, and most home decor or craft shops. For one-of-a-kind vintage finds, check estate sales, flea markets, garage sales, and antique malls. Old or new, both work wonderfully for fall styling.

What can you put in a decorative basket?

Baskets are wonderfully versatile. Use them to hold throw blankets, pillows, magazines, firewood, plants, or seasonal decor like pumpkins and dried stems. Larger baskets work well on the floor next to a sofa or fireplace, while smaller ones are perfect for tabletops and shelves.

What kinds of baskets work best for fall decor?

Baskets made of metal, wire, or natural woven materials all suit fall decor. Warm wood tones and woven textures feel especially cozy for autumn, but the best basket is really the one that fits your space and style.

Are baskets good for small spaces?

Yes. Baskets add texture and storage without taking up much visual room, which makes them ideal for small homes. Choose a few different sizes to corral clutter and add warmth to shelves, tabletops, and corners.