The fall season is the epitome of cozy. It’s all about warmth and comfort, the perfect time to spend with loved ones as you await the colder months and, of course, the holiday season.
So, fall is the best time to transform your home into a welcoming oasis for family and friends. With a few fall decor ideas at your fingertips, you have the power to create an autumn haven so cozy that you’d want to snuggle with your throw blankets all day.
1. Pick a color scheme.
During the fall season, nature showcases a stunning array of colors, including vibrant red, warm orange, and golden-yellow leaves. So, why not bring the spirit of the season into your home by incorporating these autumnal colors? Go outside, get inspired by the beauty, and pick a color scheme that warms your heart.
Ideas for autumn color schemes:
- Warm and vibrant: Create a cozy home with the breathtaking hues of red, orange, and yellow, which mirror the mesmerizing autumn foliage. You can use these colors as bold accents or pair them with neutral tones for a more subtle look.
- Earthy and muted: This captivating palette also draws inspiration from the natural world, showcasing the colors brown, green, blue, and gray. Although cool and subtle, when used well, these colors can also create an inviting atmosphere in your space.
- Jewel tones: This palette includes deep, saturated shades of green, blue, and purple. These colors can add a touch of luxury and elegance to your fall décor.
Here are some specific color combinations that you might want to try for autumn:
- Burnt orange, olive green, navy blue
- Mustard yellow, burgundy, terracotta
- Rust red, emerald green, charcoal gray
- Plum purple, sage green, camel brown
- Cream white, navy blue, gold
When choosing your color palette, don’t be afraid to experiment with a wide range of shades and textures to create a visually interesting space.
2. Change the throw pillow covers.
Transform your living room with a pop of color by simply switching up your pillows—it’s one of the easiest ways to apply your chosen color scheme.
Replace the covers on the throw pillows with thick fabrics such as velvet and sherpa, or opt for chunky knits. Add visual appeal by using different textures for the throw pillow covers.
Also, don’t just stop at the couch. Your bedroom will also feel especially cozy for fall if you add decorative throw pillows to the bed.
3. Layer it up with throw blankets.
Zhuzh up your couch with a throw blanket, or maybe indulge in another one or two. The extra layers can add contrast and visual interest to your space, as well as provide warmth and comfort when you cuddle up on the couch.
Get creative with your throw blankets by mixing patterns like plaid, checks, or florals in warm autumnal colors. To avoid clutter on the couch, you can also keep the extra ones in baskets or hang them on a rustic chic blanket ladder.
4. Get seasonal with your coffee table.
Of course, don’t forget your coffee table. It’s practically a platform for seasonal decor.
Begin by adding a wooden tray or a vase of dried flowers to your coffee table for that simple autumn touch. The first “big” piece usually serves to anchor the display, the focal point in the vignette.
Once you have a centerpiece, add other items to your coffee table, like a table runner, a stack of books, and candles or lanterns. But natural decor really captures the autumn spirit, so make sure to have dried acorns, mini pumpkins, or gourds on display, too.
5. Bring the outdoors in.
As said before, natural decor really captures the autumn spirit. So, the things you find outdoors may be just what you need to decorate your space for fall.
Place a vase of dried flowers on your dining table or a basket of real pumpkins on the kitchen counter. Adorn your mantle and nightstand with foraged branches or wildflowers. Sugar and Japanese Maple clippings in stunning autumnal colors, for example, look great in rustic jars.
Better yet, embark on a DIY challenge with your loved ones and create a centerpiece for tables or a wreath to hang on doors. You can use pretty fallen leaves, dried wheat or flowers, pine cones, acorns, or corn husks. Then, add some seasonal flair with mini pumpkins and gourds. Make sure to give your DIY fall decor an extra layer of texture with burlap ribbons, deco mesh ribbons, and jute strings in vibrant seasonal colors.
6. Go for soft lighting.
Amp up the cozy touches from your decor with soft lighting. Dimmed lights are soft enough, but there’s something about the glow of candles that gives a room instant coziness. If you’re not all too comfortable with candles (they can be a fire hazard), you can also opt for fairy lights or “flameless” LED candle lamps.
During the day, enjoy as much natural light as you can with curtains or blinds in neutral colors. At night, light your scented candles or turn on the fairy lights for that soft, warm glow.
7. Don’t forget scent matters.
There’s a reason why fall is the favorite season for many people. It’s the memories. And one of the best things to bring those memories back is the scent of home.
Maybe it’s the sweet scent of pumpkin spice from freshly baked pie or the savory aroma of roasted turkey. Perhaps it’s the crisp, slightly sharp scent from the dying foliage in your old neighborhood.
Boosting the aroma of your home with scented candles, scented pine cones, essential oils, or potpourri, you add an extra layer of warmth that no cozy blanket can provide.
Bonus: Make the season more special with activities.
Listening to cozy music such as jazz or acoustic coffee house (or even random Lo-fi autumn beats on Spotify) creates a cozy atmosphere during the fall season.
Engaging in seasonal activities like carving pumpkins, apple picking, baking, and bonfires can make the season more meaningful. You can even start board game nights with your loved ones (if you haven’t yet) and get that homey feeling of childhood.
Enjoy some time outdoors, too. Despite the chilly weather, going outside as much as possible makes coming inside feel like a comfortable retreat. And, of course, enjoying seasonal food like pumpkin and apple pie, hearty stews and roasts, and hot cocoa enhances the overall experience.