DIY Fall Porch Sign

As the fall leaves change and show their fall colors, and the air turns crisp, it’s time to start thinking about decorating your front porch for the fall season. Today I’m sharing an easy DIY fall porch sign (that’s been updated with better pictures and much more information regarding sign-making. I have been crafting and painting for 25 years!)It’s one of those easy DIY projects that has a big impact and the best part is it’s a reversible front porch sign.

Table of Contents

Double the Charm: Easy DIY Fall Porch Sign & Budget-Friendly Decorating Ideas

Flip it over and you have a Christmas porch sign to add welcoming cozy vibes. So for not a lot of money, you get two signs for the price of one and it’s easy peasy. Yes, I just said easy peasy. Guess what else? You can use acrylic or chalk paint from the craft store or Home Depot. And if that’s not enough, I’m sharing decorating ideas for a warm welcome for your outdoor space that won’t break the bank!

Are Porch Signs Still Popular?

Yes, front porch signs are still popular. They have become a staple in fall and winter porch decor. Front porch signs allow homeowners to express their style and add a warm welcome for neighbors and guests visiting their homes. 

DIY porch signs have become increasingly popular, especially in our neighborhood, and the front porch has returned to homes. Homeowners can make custom signs that do not cost a lot of money and match the color schemes and style of their front entry. These easy DIY projects can be so much fun to create. 

Best Wood to Use for Signs

There are several types of wood to use for custom signs. Here are the most popular options: 

• Pine
• Cedar
• Plywood
• Scrap wood
• Teak
• Wood Pumpkin from the craft store, Dollar Tree, Amazon, and Walmart for not a lot of money. 

These woods are readily available at Home Depot and other home improvement stores. If you are adding stencils, sign stencils are available at the craft store, Dollar Tree, Amazon, and Etsy (I have gotten stencils from this shop over the years and they aren’t a lot of money and they offer a wide selection). 

As an Amazon Associate, Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint affiliate, and other Affiliate links I earn from qualifying purchases Use Code: C-L20 when visiting Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint and RECEIVE 20% OFF!! I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases through affiliate links . The price comes with no additional cost for you whether you use the affiliate links or go directly to the website. All opinions are my own. (Check our full disclosure Policy)

Fall Sign Ideas 

Transform Your Porch: DIY Fall Signs Ideas Using Scrap Wood

For our DIY fall porch sign, I’m repurposing a leftover wooden board and decided to make it reversible so that it can also serve as a Christmas porch sign. While I initially thought about making my reversible sign for Christmas, I decided to keep it generic to be used throughout the winter. 

In terms of paint choices, there are numerous options including acrylic paint and chalk paint, but for ours, I’m opting to use Black Dog Salvage Furniture paint due to its versatility. As one of my dearest blogging friends would say, this project is “Easy Peasy”, I always appreciate her encouragement and support.

DIY Fall Porch Sign (Reversible Christmas Porch Sign)

Supplies: DIY Sign By the Front Door

• A wooden board or scrap wood
• Sandpaper or sanding block
• White paint or Gray acrylic paint, chalk paint, or wood stain)
• Paintbrushes or foam brushes
• Sign Stencils or vinyl lettering (optional)
• Painter’s tape (optional)

Our DIY Porch Sign

Transform a Porch: Create a DIY Fall Porch Sign

As mentioned above, I’m using a wooden board we had in the garage for our front porch. Home Depot and Dollar Tree sell these, and I believe this wooden board came from Home Depot.

To make creating our reversible sign even easier, I used sign stencils I had purchased a few years back. These stencils can be found at any craft store, Dollar Tree, or Amazon. My stencil is from Studio R12 on Etsy. They sell a large vertical stencil for a Halloween sign. I know they sell on Amazon too, however, I didn’t see this stencil. They have larger pumpkin stencils to make cute signs to sit on a porch swing. Again, I don’t know if you can get all the same choices, take a look! If you are thinking of making a reversible sign for a Christmas porch sign, there are some great ideas with not much additional cost.

Cindy’s Tip: If you make a vertical Halloween sign add a small fall wreath in place of the “O” in Halloween. I saw this on a neighbor’s vertical welcome sign and it added a nice look.

About This Paint 

Paint Techniques:  Add Charm With an Easy Aging Process

Those who have been following Cloches & Lavender may already know that I enjoy pieces that have character and a rustic look. Even a sign on a covered porch by the front door can benefit from a bit of weathering. It adds more charm to fall and winter porch decorations. 

If you’re interested in learning more about this great furniture paint, you can also explore techniques. Like whitewashing and discover a wealth of information regarding this product line. The best part? This paint has no odor and is safe to use around pets and children, making it an even better choice. I have a video tutorial for using this on an easy whitewashing technique.

Plus, did you know that this paint is also great for crafting? It’s a win-win! And with the winds in NJ during the cooler weather, adding some character from the beginning is a smart move. And one of my great ideas, if I do say so myself. 

Check out some of my other paint techniques that can be used on any piece in the home. It’s a simple and effective way to spruce things up!

Paint Wood

Step 1: Achieve an Aged Look With Paint and Sanding

I used the color galvanized from Black Dog Salvage Furniture paint.  White paint, and paint over wood stain work great too. There are many great ideas and ways to use this paint and I go into the details and specifics in this blog post about painting with water-based acrylic paint. I added a thin coat and let it dry overnight. When adding the gray paint to my wood board I didn’t cover it perfectly with a solid coat of paint. I knew I was going to sand it lightly the next day. I used a medium grit sanding sponge to give the porch sign an aged look.

Step 2: Create a Stencil Porch Sign With Black and White Paint

It’s great to see the process of your DIY porch sign! Using a stencil is a smart way to ensure clean and precise lettering. Black and white are classic colors that will never go out of style. Here is Clean Canvas paint (a pure white) from Black Dog.

Adding a clear matte topcoat is also a great idea to protect the porch sign from the elements. Your sign is sure to look beautiful and last for many fall seasons to come!

Note: I love this furniture paint and can’t praise it enough. (that being said, it’s not water-safe like acrylic and chalk paint. Add three coats of sealer)The way this paint adheres smoothly to a clean surface is truly amazing. It’s versatile and can be used for so many things beyond furniture. I’m so excited to be spreading the word about water-based acrylic paint. What I love most about this paint is how it goes on with no brush strokes or odor.  After completing this sign, I finished my next project, refinishing my nightstands.

Step 3: Craft a Reversible Christmas Porch Sign With Stenciling

The next step in creating this reversible front porch sign is to paint the back. Stencils allow you to make custom signs and are a benefit when making a porch sign of your own, it allows you to customize it to your color schemes for your front porch decor.

I sanded the wooden board lightly to add a rustic look. Sanding it lightly adds instant character and makes my scrap wood porch sign look old and weathered.

Then using the white paint I stenciled Baby it’s cold outside and added hot chocolate and 25 cents.

Cindy’s Top: Instead of stencils purchase wood letters from Michaels, Dollar Tree, or Hobby Lobby. Add wood glue to the back let dry and paint the color of your choice.

Glazing a Wood Sign

Create DIY Fall Signs: Step-by-Step to Glazing a Sign

After allowing the paint to dry, I gave my reversible front porch sign an aged look by adding a bit of raw umber paint to clear glaze. These can be found at craft stores or home improvement stores. I recommend two paintbrushes when glazing. One will be used to apply the glaze and the second paintbrush will be used to blend it into your project. Mix three or four drops of raw umber craft paint with the glaze and I applied it to my DIY porch sign. Use the dry paintbrush and smooth and feather the edges to remove any harsh lines. Once the glaze had been applied and blended I achieved a weathered and rustic look and it became the perfect addition to our front entry.

Cindy’s Glazing Tips: I use raw umber color paint because it has a slight green undertone and adds a rustic and aged look. Burnt Umber craft paint will work as well, however, it’s more brown. When applying glaze it’s important to take your time and work in small sections to ensure a consistent look throughout the sign. Once you get the glaze to your liking DON’T touch it. Let it dry, otherwise, you will remove too much glaze. THIS IS AN EASY PROCESS, I PROMISE! As the paint and the glaze mixture dries it will get a bit darker and give the sign a weathered look. 

Protect Your DIY Porch Sign With Sealer

Because these signs will be outdoors and exposed to the natural elements, add two thin coats of sealer. I have used Mod Podge Matte spray sealer. It can be found in crafts stores or on Amazon.  I applied two coats of Blag Dog Salvage topcoat in matte and this sign is perfect.

Classic Fall Front Porch Or Soft Neutrals

Add a Wreath to the Door

Do you like classic fall color schemes? Or softer colors such as soft green pumpkins and soft orange? Deciding on your color schemes for your outdoor space is a great place to start with your autumn decor. I choose between a fall wreath or a basket filled with fall flowers to hang on our front door. Then I decide which color pumpkins I will add to our urns and rustic planters. I begin here every fall then everything comes together while visiting the garden center. 

LINK TO WREATH

Squirrel-Proof Porch: Rustic Fall Decor With Vintage Planters and Kale

As much as I adore the look of orange pumpkins in our outdoor space, it’s disheartening to see them being devoured by the squirrels despite our attempts to coat them with hair spray, sometimes I wonder if we’re dealing with bionic squirrels. Do you have this issue too?

Fall Porch Decor Ideas

Rustic Fall Porch Decor Ideas with Vintage Planters and Ornamental Kale

Although I have a soft spot for white mums, I’ve had to explore options for natural elements to add next to our front door because our porch doesn’t get enough sunlight.

To achieve a rustic look for our front entry, I use an antique olive bucket and a copper boiler pot as rustic planters, filling them with various types of ornamental kale and assorted pumpkins. Vintage containers and the ornamental kale in purple, white, and green aren’t a lot of money to create the perfect curb appeal to add as rustic fall porch decor ideas. They offer a warm welcome when family and friends visit our home.

Porch Decorations

Front Porch Decor for a Warm Welcome and Curb Appeal

Great ideas for fall front porch decor:

• hay bales
• bushel baskets
• corn stalks
• outdoor lanterns
• white pumpkins
• larger pumpkins 
• bushel baskets 
• string lights
• wood crates
• white mums or other fall flowers in fall colors
• orange pumpkins
• fall leaves
• rustic planters
• wood pumpkin
• throw pillows and throw blankets for a porch swing
• ornamental kale

Transform Your Entryway Festive Fall Porch Ideas:

Add a wooden crate filled with foliage in fall colors and other natural elements such as pine cones, birch logs, corn husks, and branches with fall leaves from the yard. The best part about adding natural elements to front porch decor is they are free! Make a small fall wreath with a grapevine wreath form or grapevine garland. Add leaves, small pumpkins, and bittersweet with a cute fall sign and burlap ribbon.  

Add wood stain or paint to a wooden crate and add coats of sealer. These also make great rustic planters filled with mums, hay, gourds, faux apples, small Indian corn, and small pumpkins. This is perfect for simple autumn decor and adds a rustic touch using simple items that don’t break the bank.

Cindy’s Tip: Look in your yard for pine cones, acorns, sweet gum tree balls, and branches filled with fall colors. It’s so much fun collecting free items from nature for porch decorations this time of year. Save the stems from your pumpkins every year. Natural elements like pumpkin stems are the perfect addition for faux pumpkins with acrylic and chalk paint. It makes them look like the real thing!

Festive Fall Decor Ideas: Corn stalks, Outdoor Lanterns and Pumpkins 

For a warm welcome, these fall porch decor ideas don’t add too much additional cost:

• Corn stalks, Hay bales surrounded by larger pumpkins, Fall Flowers, and outdoor lanterns with outdoor battery-operated candles. These candles are a perfect addition and come with a remote and timer options! 
• Lanterns filled with small white pumpkins and outdoor fairy lights look festive on a small front porch.
• Orange pumpkins and larger pumpkins in different oranges are perfect for a classic fall color scheme. 
• Place pumpkins on top of hay bales for height bushel baskets filled with white mums, fall leaves, faux apples, birch logs, pine cones assorted fall flowers, or ornamental kale 
• Wooden crate from the craft store filled with hay, and mums in fall colors of rust, burgundy, and orange mixed with white pumpkins, and assorted gourds is a great seasonal look. 

Add Curb Appeal 

Curb Appeal: DIY Front Porch Decor Ideas with Custom Signs

Creating this reversible sign can be done with little additional cost. There are numerous cost-effective ways to make DIY fall signs. For instance, a simple idea for a small front porch is to make a vertical welcome sign, that says “Welcome Fall” using a Cricut machine, or wood letters and wood glue. 

Make a smaller wood pumpkin sign for a seasonal look next to your front door with corn stalks and small orange pumpkins. Keep porch decorations simple when decorating a small front porch. You don’t want it to look too cluttered.

Create Pumpkin Patches and DIY Signs for Halloween

Imagine making orange pumpkins with acrylic paint in different sizes and creating pumpkin patches. Add outdoor lanterns with battery operated candles or string lights around your porch to add a glow. This would be the perfect addition and so much fun for Halloween and the trick-or-treaters. Add bats, skeletons, and fake headstones from scrap wood for fun outdoor Halloween decorations. I found these to share an idea with you. 

Have a Cricut maker you can create a sign of your own for a Halloween sign. I found this on Etsy that comes with an SVG bundle. I feel so cool saying this now that I learned all about these files. 

The best part about creating a sign of your own is creating custom signs that work with your color schemes for your front entry and autumn decor.

Cricut Machine 

Create Signs With SVG Files and Cricut  Design Space Tips

Look for an SVG bundle with SVG files. Both places have horizontal and vertical sign stencils available. Through research, I learned, that SVG files don’t lose their quality if you shrink the file or blow it up. I found this link for a Cricut design space from Burton Avenue Angie loves her cutting machine and shares how to import SVG files into a Cricut Design Space. Imagine the DIY fall signs you can create to add to your porch decorations!

Note: I learned a lot about the Cricut Maker from doing research. Gasp, I’m one of the people who has never used a Cricut Maker but many of you love them. I hope this information offers help to any who is thinking of purchasing a Cricut machine!

Cindy’s Tip: How to use SVG files for a Cricut? I found another link here to help. This is supposed to offer the best vectorized image – to Convert SVG for free!  I hope this helps. I’m honest, I never use Cricut machines and I like to offer help and links I researched for my readers. Imagine creating a sign with your favorite contact paper or chalkboard paper! This would be so much fun, don’t you think?

Transfer Tape:

Create Cute Signs With a Cutting Machine and Expert Tips

I found a fantastic video from Jennifer Maker about using transfer tape for a Cricut machine. This video has 98,000 views and Jennifer has 1.09 million followers. Wow! She offers hundreds of free vinyl designs too and there are many positive comments. The help and tips she offers are AMAZING! I understand why she has so many followers. Imagine creating a custom saying for your sign. Ads wood pumpkin sign for a small front porch or create a fun pumpkin patch for your yard. How fun would that be!

Festive Fall Decor Ideas: Transform the Porch with Cornstalks and Outdoor Lanterns 

The best part about decorating your front porch or porch swing with autumn decor it adds curb appeal to your home. So, whether you opt for a classic fall color scheme or soft neutrals remember to create a festive fall porch and add items such as hay bales, a fall wreath, bushel baskets, a wooden crate filled with fall flowers, or white pumpkins that have a warm welcoming feeling to for your outdoor space.

Inspiration: Easy Front Porch Sign & Thank You!

I hope I inspired you to make an easy peasy DIY fall porch sign for a seasonal look that’s a perfect addition this time of year. Complete your front entry with these fall decor ideas to begin this festive season of entertaining. I pride myself on painting and sharing crafts with you that are easy and budget-friendly. As I mentioned I have been crafting and painting for 25 years and look forward to sharing more easy projects!

PLEASE SHARE THIS ON: FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, AND INSTAGRAM THIS HELPS CLOCHES & LAVENDER GROW AND SHARE MORE EASY IDEAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HELPING US GROW!

Other Easy DIY Projects:

PUMPKIN CANDLEHOLDERS

CHALK PAINT PUMPKINS THE SUSTAINABLE CHOICE

EASY FALL WREATH