Easing Into Fall: Decor That Welcomes The Season

Fall is such a magical time of year. From crisp temperatures and falling leaves to softer sunlight, fall is that glorious season that reminds us time is marching on. Even though August and September are our hottest months of the year in Texas, fall is a time of preparing for cooler and cozier weather. As the light softens and the days shorten, I like to mimic nature, and start easing my home decor towards a cozier feeling. Here are some ways you can start preparing your home to welcome fall…even if summer hasn’t quite finished.

Textiles

Nothing says fall cozy to me like pillows, blankets, and rugs! In late summer/early fall, I start to transition my textiles from vibrant summer colors to more subdued fall tones. I switch out my apple green pillow covers for warmer tones and more textural pieces. This year I’m using burnt orange, dusty blue, and bottle green. Think of your home’s primary color and work off that. My home color scheme is blue, so golds, oranges, greens, and taupes look fantastic.

Animal prints are my favorite to use in fall decorating. They have so much natural beauty and texture that instantly warms up a space. Look for pillow covers, rugs, throws, and table linens.

Softer And Layered Lighting

Embrace the shorter days by creating a cozy warmth within your home. Each fall I switch out my cool white light bulbs for warm white bulbs in all my lamps. This instantly creates a softer light that mimics what’s happening in nature. Diffuser light bulbs are also a great way to soften the light around your home.

Lamps are a must for layered lighting. Make sure to incorporate both floor and table lamps into your fall decorating. Some of my favorite places to add them are:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Bookshelves
• Outdoors

If you do not have an outlet nearby, consider using a rechargeable lamp instead. They come in so many beautiful styles and finishes and add a touch of luxury to your decor.

Tip: Switch bright-white light bulbs to warmer white for a cozier feel.

Candlelight is another wonderful way to layer the lighting around your home. Having a variety of candles also helps bounce light around attractively. Tapers, votives, pillars and tea lights are essential in your fall decorating. Place them on occasional tables, mantels, dining tables, porches and patios for a rich glow.

Sconces are an often overlooked source of ambient lighting. They add a richness to dark hallways and corners, and a layer of sophistication to art and shelving. There is a huge variety of sconces you can use: traditional hardwired, battery-operated, or candle lit.

Textures

One of my favorite design strategies, particularly for fall, is incorporating a wide variety of textures. These add that all-important tactile layer to your decor to make it feel finished. Textures can instantly warm up a room and give your vignettes interest.

Some of my favorite textures to use in fall decorating:

• Brass
• Antlers
• Grasses
• Branches
• Driftwood
• Velvet
• Wool
• Wicker
• Bamboo
• Wood

Warm Colors

Nothing screams fall decor quite like warm colors – no pumpkins necessary! Even early in the season, warming up your color scheme can instantly help your decor transition to cooler weather. Think browns, oranges, greens, maroons, golds, and creams. Whatever your home’s color scheme is, choose complementary colors in muddier tones to mimic nature.

Tablewares

An easy way to spruce up your fall decor is to set a pretty table. Bring outdoor elements in, such as rosemary, lamb’s ear, pumpkins and squashes, acorns, pinecones, or tree branches. Layer your table with linens and add accent lighting for an inviting look.

Make Your Fall Decor Personal

There’s really no right or wrong time to start bringing fall elements into your decor. I personally take my cues from from nature and slowly add warmer touches. Early in the season I may just incorporate more texture, followed by warmer colors, and then finally adding pumpkins and fall foliage. Whatever you decide to do – have fun with it! Happy Nesting!