Transform Your Home This Autumn: 6 Decor Ideas from the Pros
Snag a pumpkin spice latte and pull out those cozy sweaters: Fall is on its way! It’s the season for cooler weather, falling leaves, football games, and a shift in your home’s decor. If you haven’t embraced the autumn aesthetic in your space yet, now’s the perfect time. Here are six expert-approved ways to infuse your home with the warmth and charm of fall, complete with insights and suggestions from leading design professionals.
1. Embrace Nature
Fall is synonymous with natural beauty, so why not bring a touch of nature into your home? Lee Crowder, national director of design at Taylor Morrison, is a big fan of decorating with nature’s bounty.
“I love decorating with natural products,” Crowder says. “Some of my favorites are pumpkins and potted plants, which last a long time in the fall.”
Crowder recommends green and white pumpkins for a trendy pop, pairing them with potato vine and ferns. “They will last all the way through December,” she notes.
2. Create Cozy Lighting
As the days shorten, creating a cozy ambiance with lighting is key. Amber Dunford, style director at Bed Bath & Beyond, recommends low lighting to draw people into a space.
“String lighting transitions well from dusk to night and sets the right ambiance for a gathering space. Lanterns and candles can also be a nice way to bring in a light source,” she explains.
Don’t forget your porch! Crowder suggests pairing pumpkins with large open lanterns, using solar or battery-operated candles for an inviting flickering effect that’s also heat resistant.
3. Experiment with Textures and Fabrics
It’s time to replace summer’s airy fabrics with cozier, warmer touches. Think chunky blankets, layers, and heavier fabrics. Farah Merhi, CEO of Inspire Me Home Decor, mentions that woven fabric boucle can be versatile and stylish.
“Layering is another great way to make a space cozier,” Merhi adds, emphasizing the mixing of fabrics, textures, and hues on bedding, pillows, or even layering rugs.
4. Bring the Outdoors Inside
Fall is a time to celebrate the outdoors, and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Jade Joyner of Metal + Petal and Julia Longchamps of Julia Longchamps Design recommend incorporating nature by clipping branches, dried hydrangeas, and grasses from your own yard.
“Dried hydrangeas and grass are excellent because they bring warm browns into your home and will stay that way forever – all at no expense to you,” Longchamps says.
5. Warm Up Your Color Scheme
Chloe Hughes, editor-in-chief of design magazine Foter, advises focusing on earth tones and textured fabrics. “Add throw blankets or pillows in rich colors like brown, red, or orange,” she advises. Painting a featured wall in deep red or orange can also create a beautiful focal point.
6. Revamp Your Tablescape
Whether it’s creating a nature-inspired centerpiece or using fall-themed wrapping paper as table runners, there are countless ways to transform your kitchen. Joyner recommends dried flowers for low-maintenance arrangements. Crowder takes a creative approach, suggesting wrapping paper or wallpaper for table decor.
“You can use it, and if it gets messed up or someone spills, you can add some more and it’s not something you have to store or even love forever,” Crowder explains.
