Tips for Decorating Your Home for Autumn

Orange leaves, pumpkin spice and the quest for cosiness have become synonymous with autumn. For many of us, this period of seasonal transition provides an exciting chance to refresh our interiors, focusing on curating spaces of warmth and comfort as darker nights draw in. 

But autumnal home decor doesn’t have to mean adding a pumpkin to every surface. Here are our favourite interior tips for autumn, ideal for keeping things simple, sophisticated and snug.

1. Introduce Warm & Earthy Tones 

A great way to bring hints of autumn into your interiors is via a seasonal colour palette. This could be achieved by introducing accessories or textiles with warm, earthy fall-inspired colours such as deep russets, terracotta, rich browns, moss green or mustard yellow. 

Simply swapping out your cushions or introducing a new vase with these evocative colours can instantly provide that autumnal feel. 

2. Embrace Natural Materials 

In a similar vein, bring in natural materials where possible to reflect a more rustic, seasonal approach. Things like rattan baskets (which are great for storing loads of cosy blankets too), natural lampshades or vases with branches or dried grasses give your interiors an organic, textured feel that’s perfect for autumn. 

3. Add Cosy Textures 

Another absolute must for autumn is bringing in soft, cosy blankets, cushions, rugs and curtains to soften your living room and turn it into an inviting retreat where you can cuddle up. 

Even just an extra throw draped over a sofa or armchair or a textured area rug can help create an extra cosy, layered look that prepares your space for the colder, darker months.

4. Choose Unique Candle Holders 

Candles are another autumnal mainstay, great for creating warm, glowy atmospheres and infusing your spaces with seasonal pumpkin spice or woodland scents. 

To elevate your look further, choose eye-catching candle holders, whether this is with some kind of autumnal-inspired shape like a pumpkin or pine cone or with a vibrant finish. This helps ensure your candles become a piece of seasonal decor in their own right, further tying your design together. Lanterns can also work well as understated yet evocative autumn decor. 

5. Show Off Seasonal Finds 

Switching out your artwork or pictures is another great way to ring in the changes of the season without having to do a whole overhaul of your interiors. 

Glass photo frames with elegant metal borders work beautifully for displaying pressed flowers or leaves, providing another lovely way to bring some authentic autumn colours and shapes into your home. 

6. Make Your Coffee Table a Feature 

Your coffee table tends to be the heart of your living room and, therefore, provides a great chance to set the tone for your space. Style your coffee table with seasonal precision, embracing autumn florals, organic sculptural shapes, a collection of fall-inspired books and your carefully selected candle for an instant autumn vibe. 

For tips on creating the perfect coffee table centrepiece, see our guide on how to style a coffee table. 

7. Dress Your Dining Table 

Similarly, for an instant autumnal feel in your dining space, you can dress up your dining table with candle centrepieces or seasonal displays. Table runners with orange, brown, and muted green tones can also bring a lovely autumn look to the space without it feeling too garish or gimmicky. 

Investing in a timeless dining table and chair combination will help ensure you can create an elegant interior that can be dressed up or down for any time of year. 

8. Be Intentional With What You Display 

If you have open shelving or trolleys in the kitchen or display cabinets elsewhere in the house, swap out your usual displays for those with a subtle seasonal twist. This could be as simple as putting autumnal spices like cinnamon sticks and cloves front and centre or reintroducing fall-related decor and trinkets. 

The joy of decorating alongside the seasons is that you can easily find new ways to work with what you have, letting your favourite pieces shine at different points in the year. 

Want to find out more about creating personal, cosy interiors that show off your unique style? Check out our guide to grandmillennial interior design.