8 Goodwill Northern New England Fall Decorating Ideas for Budget-Friendly Style

If you haven’t visited a Goodwill Northern New England store lately, you’re missing out. It’s like stepping into a budget-friendly big box store filled with vintage charm, seasonal treasures, and one-of-a-kind finds perfect for cozy fall decorating. For this collaboration, I visited my favorite location in tax-free Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to bring you eight Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas styled throughout our homes in Maine and Vermont.

Why I Love Thrifting at Goodwill Northern New England for Fall Decorating Ideas

When it comes to affordable and creative fall decorating, Goodwill Northern New England is one of my favorite places to shop. With stores throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, you’ll find endless inspiration and plenty of unexpected treasures for your own Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas. For this post, I visited the Portsmouth, New Hampshire location (my personal favorite!), where I shopped for cozy, seasonal pieces to style throughout our New England homes.

Tips for Shopping Goodwill Northern New England

Use these simple shopping strategies to make the most of your next visit, and uncover even more unique fall decorating ideas:

More Seasonal Thrift Hauls from Goodwill Northern New England
If you’ve been following along, you know this post is part of my seasonal collaboration with Goodwill Northern New England. I’ve already shared my favorite spring and summer decorating finds, and now we’re diving into fall! You’ll find those earlier posts below for even more ideas on how to style your home with cozy, budget-friendly pieces all year long.

8 Goodwill Northern New England Fall Decorating Ideas from My Thrift Store Finds

Who says fall decorating has to start at the big box stores? One quick stop at Goodwill Northern New England and I came home with a car full of cozy, creative treasures just waiting to be styled. From porch moments to bedroom corners, here are eight fall decorating ideas inspired by what I found on the shelves in just one day.

1. $5 Goodwill Northern New England Chairs Turned Into a Cozy Fall Porch Decorating Moment

What I Found:
These sweet little ladder-back chairs with handwoven cane seats were sitting in the furniture aisle at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Goodwill Northern New England store—just $5 each! They were sturdy, full of charm, and practically begged to come home with me. I love mixing vintage chairs like these into seasonal setups, and they instantly gave me a new idea for our fall porch styling. Finds like this are exactly why I always recommend checking the furniture section when you’re hunting for Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas. You just never know what you’ll uncover.

How I Styled It:
I paired these chairs with our vintage wallpaper table on the porch, styled simply with a red gingham thrifted tablecloth and one of my favorite oversized yellow tins overflowing with sunflowers. The chairs pulled up perfectly for a cozy autumn table scene, made even better by the colonial dinnerware set I found at Goodwill this past spring. If you’d like a closer look at the full tablescape and the dinnerware details, you’ll find both posts linked just below; they’re packed with even more Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas you can try at home.

2. A Cozy Pendleton-Style Plaid Blanket from Goodwill Northern New England

What I Found:
There’s nothing that says “classic New England fall” quite like a vintage wool blanket, especially one in a rich plaid pattern of blues and greens. I spotted this Pendleton-style throw tucked into the textiles section at the Goodwill Northern New England store, and it immediately caught my eye. Warm, soft, and beautifully worn in all the right ways, it’s one of those rare finds that feels like it’s already part of the family. These are the kinds of unexpected treasures that make thrifting for Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas so much fun.

How I Styled It:
For now, I’ve draped the blanket over the back of one of the $5 ladder-back chairs I styled around our fall porch table, and it adds the coziest finishing touch. The colors pair perfectly with the vintage chair’s wood tones and sunny yellows from the oversized tin of dried fall florals, creating an inviting autumn scene right on the porch. And while it’s styled here for now, I already know this blanket will make the rounds, from chilly nights by the fire pit to relaxing RV road trips through New England. It’s one of those timeless pieces that will come out every fall season, no matter where we are.

3. A Knitted Witch’s Hat That Adds a Playful Touch to Halloween Decorating

What I Found:
I found this soft, knitted witch’s hat tucked among the hat section at the Portsmouth Goodwill Northern New England store, and I couldn’t pass it up. Unlike the usual plastic or pointy costume hats, this one has a cozy, handmade feel to it that adds personality and warmth to any spooky setup.

How I Styled It:
Whether worn or styled on a mannequin (like I did in last year’s Witchy Porch Decor with Mannequins post), it’s the kind of piece that makes decorating for fall and Halloween just plain fun. Thrifted treasures like this are exactly why I love browsing for Goodwill fall decorating ideas this time of year; you never know what kind of magic you’ll stumble across.

4. A Framed Crock Print That Inspired a Dining Room Display in Maine

What I Found:
This vertical framed print of five antique crocks was an instant favorite the moment I spotted it on a shelf at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Goodwill Northern New England store. The soft neutral tones, the wooden frame, and the way the crocks lined up just felt so timeless, and so me. I snapped a photo of it right there in the store, and I knew exactly where it was going the moment I picked it up. Little finds like this are what keep me coming back for more Goodwill fall decorating ideas; they’re simple, soulful, and full of story.

How I Styled It:
I hung the crock picture above one of my mother’s beloved antique hutches in our dining room in Maine, and it couldn’t feel more at home. On top of the hutch, I styled a collection of her own antique crocks to mirror the artwork, along with a stack of vintage books and pieces from her pewter collection. It’s a quiet little fall moment that blends the old and the new, and gives a thrifted find a whole new story. You may see more in my How to Style an Antique Hutch with Pewter that Shines Without Polishing post.

Want to explore more of this cozy dining room corner? Below are three blog posts that share the full story, from the antique pewter collection to the hutch itself, and even a styled fall tablescape using family favorites.

5. A $5 Goodwill Northern New England Flower Find That Brightened My Fall Bedroom Decor

What I Found:
I spotted this sweet little mason jar filled with 11 faux yellow flowers at the Goodwill Northern New England store, and it was only $5! If you’ve ever priced faux florals elsewhere, you know how pricey they can be. My plan was to take the flowers out and use them in a different vase, but when I got home, I discovered they were glued right into the jar. Turns out, I loved it that way. These are the kinds of simple, ready-to-style treasures that make Goodwill fall decorating ideas such a joy to explore.

How I Styled It:
For now, the mason jar sits on a small side table in our guest bedroom, right next to our recently thrifted Jenny Lind bed (a dreamy yard sale find!). The soft yellow florals add just the right pop of autumn color, and they give the space a warm, inviting touch without any fuss. I may still pop them out one day and style them in something different, but for now, they’re doing a pretty great job right where they are.

While I didn’t grab a photo of the yellow flowers next to the bed before heading back to Vermont (oops!), I’ve included a similar styling moment here to give you an idea of how it fits into our fall bedroom decor.

6. A $3 Ceramic Pumpkin That Adds a Touch of Fall Anywhere

What I Found:
You can never have too many pumpkins when it comes to fall decorating, and this little ceramic one was just $3 at the Portsmouth Goodwill Northern New England store. I love collecting these small pieces because they’re perfect for styling just about anywhere: on a bookshelf, by the front door, in an appetizer display, or tucked into a fall centerpiece. It’s the kind of easy seasonal accent that always earns its keep. Finds like this are exactly why I keep coming back for more Goodwill fall decorating ideas; they’re charming, affordable, and endlessly useful.

How I Styled It:
Right now, this sweet little pumpkin is sitting on our outdoor table as a pre-fall decorating piece. Since I try to hold off on bringing in real pumpkins too early (they just don’t last!), I love having a few ceramic ones on hand to create that cozy autumn feel without the rush. It’s just the right pop of seasonal color and looks adorable paired with a simple floral arrangement or evening candlelight.

7. A $3 Green Pumpkin Dish That’s Both Practical and Pretty for Fall

What I Found:
This green ceramic pumpkin dish was just $3 at the Portsmouth Goodwill Northern New England store, and it’s one of those pieces that’s both decorative and useful. It’s large enough to hold apples, pears, wrapped candies, or even mixed nuts for fall gatherings. With its soft green glaze and pumpkin shape, it brings in both color and texture, making it a great little piece to tuck into your fall decorating mix. These small, versatile pieces are exactly what I look for when browsing for Goodwill fall decorating ideas.

How I Styled It:
I filled the green pumpkin dish with apples and brought it down to our fire pit patio, which is surrounded by our sectional seating with blue cushions and framed by the changing fall foliage and Vermont mountains in the distance. It was the perfect pop of color against the deep blues, and I laid the Pendleton-style blanket I found at Goodwill Northern New England over one of the cushions for an extra layer of coziness. Behind it all, a vintage wheel rests against our post-and-beam fence, one of my favorite unexpected fall styling backdrops.

Little dishes like this are easy to move around the house (or yard!) and add an instant seasonal touch. Whether you use them to hold apples, pears, wrapped candies, or snacks for guests, they’re such a fun thing to pick up while thrifting. I can see this one living on the porch, by the fire pit, or even on a cozy side table indoors, all part of the charm when it comes to Goodwill Northern New England fall decorating ideas that mix style with function.

8. Pulling It All Together — One Goodwill Trip, Endless Fall Inspiration

Sometimes it’s not just one item that makes a difference; it’s how they all come together. From the plaid blanket draped over a $5 ladder-back chair to the ceramic pumpkin, witch’s hat, faux florals, and candy dish full of apples, every little piece found at Goodwill Northern New England played a part in this colorful, cozy fall porch and fire pit scene.

I styled everything across our vintage wallpaper table and fire pit area, with layers of amethyst glassware, gingham linens, and mountain views that brought it all to life. It’s eclectic. It’s cheerful. And it’s proof that Goodwill fall decorating ideas don’t have to be complicated or expensive to feel special.

With just one thrift trip, I created a whole season’s worth of vignettes that feel thoughtful, unique, and so very us.

I hope this gave you some fresh ideas for your own fall decorating, and maybe a little extra motivation to pop into your local Goodwill Northern New England store. Whether you’re styling a porch table, layering cozy textures by the fire pit, or adding a seasonal touch to the guest room, you never know what you’ll find until you go. I’ll be back soon with my holiday Goodwill haul, but until then, I’d love to know, what’s the best thing you’ve ever thrifted for fall?

Looking for even more fall decorating ideas?
If you loved this post, you’ll find even more seasonal inspiration below, from cozy porch setups to vintage tablescapes, thrifted Halloween finds, and fall decor ideas using what you already own. These are some of my favorite ways to celebrate the season, one vintage piece at a time.

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