It’s mid-August, which means fall is just around the corner! After many months of hot summer weather, I’m looking forward to more comfortable temperatures and spending time at home. Before we head down to San Diego for the first months of fall, I am working on adding some cozy fall decor to our Bay Area home so that it will be ready for us when we return.
Transitioning your home decor to fall means creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. To get started, I take inventory of what fall decorations I still have and what shape they’re in. Then I sort them by room to figure out what I still need. I have been making a shopping list of things I would like to add to embrace the season. To help with planning, I created a fall decorating checklist “5 Easy Steps to Fall Decorating” that I’m happy to share with you! Simply sign up at the bottom of the page and join my email list to receive a link to the checklist!
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Pillows
The first thing I like to do when changing seasonal decor is to swap out throw pillows throughout our home. By replacing any light, summery pillows with ones in warm, rich colors like burnt orange, deep red, or mustard yellow, I can bring fall colors inside.
Throws
I also like to add cozy throws draped on the backs of sofas and chairs to add warmth and texture. I also have extra throws handy for sitting outside on chilly fall evenings.
Plaid
Plaid patterns are a classic and work well in fall decor. Look for seasonal colors and patterns at places like HomeGoods. Adding plaid is an easy way to add some fall flair.
Rugs
I’m thinking about layering a rug on top of the one we have in our family room. A thicker, textured rug on top of the flat rug in our would create a warm, layered look. In the example from Pottery Barn below, a neutral sisal rug is topped with a smaller flat-weave terracotta rug, adding a colorful layer to the floor and upping the cozy factor.
Warm Lighting
Another way I like to prepare for the darker days and nights ahead is to switch out any cool tone light bulbs for warmer tones. I also check to see if there are any dark corners of our home that need additional lighting.
Natural Elements
One of my favorite and least expensive ways to decorate with fall is to bring in natural elements like pinecones, acorns, or dried leaves in bowls or on our mantel. You can often find bags of bowl fillers at local craft and home decor stores. I like the ones that smell like cinnamon! You can also use colorful branches, berries, birch logs or other finds to add some natural elements to your decor.
Pumpkins
Of course, fall decor would be incomplete without pumpkins. There are so many varieties of pumpkins to choose from now! I like to choose a mix of colors for interest. I’m especially drawn to the heirloom varieties with their unusual shapes and colors, like creamy white and light and dark green. There are also some great faux varieties for those who don’t want to lug heavy pumpkins around.
Candles
To incorporate all of your senses, use fall candles to bring the scents of the season inside. Look for natural soy wax candles because they burn cleaner, slower and last longer than paraffin candles.
Front Door Decor
One of the first things I change on the outside of our homes are the wreaths on the the front doors. I swap out our summer wreaths for ones made of faux autumn leaves, mini pumpkins, pinecones and berries. There are many pre-made fall wreaths in stores now. Check back here next week for a tutorial on how to make a beautiful fall door hanger using wheat!
Velvet
I am obsessed with the cute little velvet pumpkins you see everywhere this time of year! Amazon has many great velvet pumpkins to choose from. Incorporating velvet fabric adds a luxurious and cozy feel to your space and is especially great on throw pillows, for example.
Darker Tones
Fall and winter are a great time to introduce darker tones into your decor. Deeper shades like navy, burgundy, forest green and mustard yellow are especially attractive. You can swap out the towels in your powder or guest bathroom for some fresh darker colored ones, or you can add deeper colors in throw blankets, pillows, and bedding.
Gold Accents
I love any excuse to use gold-tone accents in our home. Fall is the perfect time to swap out silver or chrome for warmer metals like copper and brass in your decor pieces.
Cozy Drink Station
Fall is the perfect time to treat yourself to a warm cup of coffee or tea, so if you haven’t yet set up a hot drink station now is the time! Create a cozy corner in your kitchen with a coffee or tea station (fall-themed mugs and accessories optional.) For instance, choose coffee and tea flavors and add-ins that highlight the season. Pumpkin spice anyone?
Fall Foliage
You can bring the outside in with branches of colorful leaves in vases around your home. Silk autumn leaves are a good alternative to real leaves, and they can be reused every year.
Warm Window Coverings
If you live in a colder climate you will want to switch to heavier drapes. Swap light, airy curtains for heavier fabrics like velvet or wool to keep the warmth in. While this isn’t a problem in the places where we live here in California, heavier drapes can also help keep rooms cooler in warmer climates like ours.
Leather
We have a leather couch in our family room that lends itself well to fall decorating. If your home doesn’t have any leather furniture, you can add leather accents like pillows, ottomans, or even a leather chair for a rich, warm texture.
Baskets
Decorating with baskets is a great way to repurpose things you already own. Use woven baskets to store blankets, firewood, or magazines, adding a rustic touch. Likewise, you can even add baskets to your walls! For tips on hanging the perfect basket wall display see my post here.
Centerpieces
Add a statement fall centerpiece to your coffee table and dining table incorporating seasonal elements like pumpkins, candles, and foliage. Your only limit is your imagination!
Wall Decor
Swap out some of your wall decor this time of year with artwork that has texture and autumnal colors or themes. Decorative baskets and tapestries are two ways to add texture and warmth to your walls, for example. Another way to add warmth is to swap out light-colored wood frames for frames with darker tones.
Dark Wood Accents
Summer wooden decor tends to be light and bright. For example, to transition to fall try using darker wood accents. Introduce furniture or decor pieces made of dark wood to add warmth and depth.
Cozy Reading Nook
There’s nothing better than curling up with a book (or scrolling on your phone) in a cozy reading nook. Create a snug corner with a comfy place to sit, a warm blanket, and a lamp.
Luxe Bedding
I like to change our duvet covers to warmer fabrics during the winter months for an updated look for our bedding. For example, switch from crisp cotton sheets to flannel sets or add a heavier bedspread in fall colors for a cozy look.Try layering your beds with additional blankets and cozy quilts for the chilly nights ahead.
Dried Natural Foliage
If spring is the season of fresh flowers, then fall is the time of year to incorporate dried flowers. Use dried flowers in arrangements for a rustic, autumnal look. Plus they never need water! Some of my favorite fall foliage displays are bundles of dried wheat.
Table Linens
As I mentioned, I like setting a pretty table and fall is a great excuse to change out table linens for tablecloths, placemats, and napkins in fall colors or patterns. Don’t forget napkin rings, which are like the jewelry of the table. Choose styles and colors that complement the rest of your table linens.
Focus on the Fireplace
If you have a fireplace, make it the focal point of your room with a basket of wood, a fire screen, and cozy seating around it. If your fireplace is wood-burning, now is the time to make sure that the hearth and chimney are clean and ready for the season.
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Thanks for being here! I hope some of these fall decorating tips were useful to you! To automatically receive future posts and get a free copy of “5 Easy Steps to Fall Decorating” be sure to join my email list below!
If you missed my last post about ways to define a small entry space and tips for coastal fall decor you can find it here. Have a great week!
