Effortless Autumn: 5 Decor Staples That Instantly Add Warmth (+ Shopping Picks)
There is just something about fall, isn’t there? September arrives quietly with its air of anticipation. You can feel it. It’s almost tangible – like a static electricity in the air. The promise of endings … and beginnings. The air softens. The humidity disappears as quickly as it arrived. The leaves began to stir, dancing in the breeze … as if they know that rest is coming … the time of letting go is near. We sit in a beautiful period of in-between.
Then, October arrives and we are ready. We are ready for the romance of it all. We are ready for chilly mornings and the crunch of leaves underfoot. We are ready for the golden light and it’s invitation to notice it … to savor each moment. We breathe in the scent of it and it fills us with a nostalgic wonder. The smell of fallen leaves, of woodsmoke, of the dampness of the earth. The smell of cinnamon, of apple cider, of pumpkin. We inhale it all and allow it to comfort us. To invite us in. We welcome the change.
We ready our homes.
I have a somewhat unpopular opinion on decorating for fall — I don’t think we need much. I definitely don’t think we need to place a pumpkin on every surface. And, I don’t think we need signs announcing the season. 😬 I know, I know. 🫣 I said what I said. Yes, I love my home in fall most of all. And, yes, I have a few favorite pumpkins that I put out every year. But, I don’t think that it’s necessary to add much stuff and I often buy very little in the way of home decor in the fall. I think what we all want, what we are searching for, is a feeling. What feels like fall? If you focus on the feeling that you want to create within your home, you’ll quickly realize that it’s fairly easy to achieve it with a few simple swaps.
One thing that I do buy new each year is candles. Candles evoke that feeling of warmth that I am seeking … and I burn them in their entirety.
I swear, y’all, I’m not a fall grinch! I’m not perfect at the whole ‘less is more‘ thing either. It’s inevitable that some little something will catch my eye and convince me that I need it. Lol. But, typically, I try to purchase only new candles and maybe one or two other pieces (see some fall shopping picks below 👀!) I just feel pretty strongly that you can keep it really simple and still have the coziest fall home.
Here are 5 Fall Decor Staples to Add Warmth Instantly …
- Textured Throws & Pillows: Think chunky knits, boucle, velvet, or faux fur. Swap out lighter summer textiles for rich, touchable fabrics that invite you to curl up for an evening at home.
- Candles & Ambient Lighting: Layered light instantly changes the mood. Add taper candles on the table, pillar candles on a tray, or soft-glow lamps with warm-toned bulbs.
- Natural Elements: Bring in organic accents like wood bowls, rattan trays, branches, dried (or faux) florals to add earthy warmth and texture.
- Warm-Toned Accents: Introduce autumnal hues through small accessories: rust, camel, olive, mustard, or deep burgundy in vases, artwork, or ceramics.
- Layered Rugs or Cozy Underfoot Textures: Adding a patterned or textured rug (or layering one over a neutral base) grounds the room and makes it feel inviting.
Once you have these 5 elements figured out, it’s so much easier to make simple swaps when fall arrives rather than “redecorate”. Give it a try! Focus on the FEELING!
“May you fall in love with October and all the beauty it brings, May your life be as colorful as the turning of the leaves, On each blessed autumn day.” ~ Charmaine J. Forde
A few Fall Home shopping picks …
Links: Heirloom Serving Bowl, Book Holder, Autumn Dahlia, Burl Frames, Floral Candle Holder, Folk Floral Pillow, Taper Holder, Purple Yarrow Bush, Marble Pumpkin, Enamel Bowls, Honeycrisp Oakwood Candle, Stoneware Hens, Floral Salt + Pepper Set, Green Table Lamp, Glass Bud Vase, Leaf Wreath, Taper Candles, Wood Wick Candle, Green Towels, Floral Pillow, Pie Dish, Fall Ceramic Taper Holder or find them all on LTK!
I hope you can wrap yourself up in the unique atmosphere of fall … with it’s invitation to slow, to welcome renewal, to find comfort and reconnection. Savor the warmth. Embrace the season with gratitude. Let yourself find peace and calm among the stunning fall foliage and beauty of this sweet season.
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