It’s time to style your home for autumn!
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
Unknown
Autumn is a time for a fresh start and a new chapter. The new academic year begins and with it, the darker evenings creep in and cooler, crisper mornings are upon us.
I don’t know about you, but when it arrives it feels like a second chance New Year to me. A time to renew and shake off the old and I LOVE it!
Take mother nature’s lead and allow her to guide you as the leaves turn and fall outside. We too can shed the things that no longer serve us. Switch out your spring/summer wardrobe for garments, footwear and accessories that will keep you warm as the weather gets colder. If you like, you could take it one step further and add a few pieces in autumnal hues to really embrace the new season and step out in style.
But don’t stop there.
Why not switch up your home decor too?
It’s no secret that I love a bit of seasonal home styling, and Autumn is my all-time favourite season of the year to do this. The colours of the trees outside, crunchy fallen leaves, apple pie, warmer clothes next to my skin and sipping hot chocolate in the evening… it all just feels so cosy, don’t you think?
I love to celebrate the new season and welcome it into my home with open arms by adding a few seasonal elements to my home decor. It’s easy and cheap to do and you can freshen up your decor in no time without having to redecorate.
For inspiration, take a look at what’s going on outside in nature. The warmer, deeper colours, different textures, harvesting of fruits and the gorgeous scents that go with it, spiced apple, crisp pear, pumpkin… so delicious!
But, where to start?
5 Ways To Style Your Home For Autumn
Here are 5 ways you can style your home for autumn to create a warm, welcoming snug to relax and unwind in.
Something to note – don’t go overboard, less is more. It’s easy to get carried away and end up with it looking too themey. Keep it tasteful by picking just a few key areas of your home to refresh…
1. Kerb appeal
Start with a spruce up of your front door and entryway. Sweep those leaves away and maybe add a few seasonal plants in autumn colours to your pots. How about adding a beautiful seasonal wreath on the front door to create a welcoming feel? Real or faux, there are plenty to choose from these days, from the lighter tones of pampas grass and bunny tails, to the deeper tones of twigs and berries. If you’re into pumpkins, you could pop some at each side of your front door in different sizes.
2. Layer up textiles
Add plenty of plush blankets and throws to cosy-up in at night. Choose soft, warm textures like faux fur, cashmere, wool and velvet. Switch out one or two of your cushion covers, and choose ones in subtle autumnal colours that go with your existing home decor and soft furnishings. A neutral base will make this easy. Something to think about if you like the idea of adding different pops of colour throughout the year as the seasons change.
3. Bring the outdoors in
Dried flowers, pine cones, berries, dried fruits, faux seasonal stems, branches and twigs all add texture and can be added to your decor in different ways for an easy seasonal touch. Switch out summer stems in your vases, use pinecones, berries and fruits in bowls, to complement candles and decorate coffee table trays. Fresh flowers always add a luxurious feel to your home, but they needn’t cost the earth. I love how they can completely transform the look and feel of a room without too much effort. Choose them in warm hues and make a simple bouquet go further by splitting them between a larger vase and a few smaller bud vases. Display in key areas around your home: hallway, dining table, coffee table, desk – and enjoy the natural freshness they bring to your decor. Treat yourself, you’re worth it!
4. It’s all about the lighting
Candles, candles and more candles, oh and maybe some fairy lights too for good measure. I’ll admit, I’m obsessed with lighting! Creating a warm, cosy, autumnal atmosphere is effortless when you layer up your ambient lighting. For a warm, soft look and feel, always choose bulbs in warm white. You just won’t get that same cosiness with cool white as it leans towards the blue end of the scale. Table lamps will provide the base of your lighting. Make sure your bulbs are bright enough to allow you to read but not so bright they spoil the atmosphere you’re trying to create.
Add a few candles here and there, real or battery-operated, to add to the ambience. These days battery candles are easy to find, safer to use, and they are so effective it can be hard to tell whether they’re real or not! If you like scented candles, choose them in gorgeous seasonal scents that you love. My favourite is spiced apple! Just remember to avoid scented candles on the dinner table as they can interfere with your senses when you’re eating. Fairy lights are magical and will liven up a table centrepiece. They look beautiful on large plants or on a shelf in a dark corner. Invisible by day, but they really add a special touch in the evening.
5. Subtle scents
Scent is the first thing people notice when they enter a home so it makes sense to make that first impression a memorable one for the right reasons! Choose diffusers and candles carefully for the season and keep it simple. Again, less is more here, you don’t want too many different scents trying to compete with one another. In my experience, it’s false economy to buy cheap diffusers and candles. Invest in the best quality you can afford and they will provide a long lasting fragrance you can actually smell. Good quality candles will burn better too. Do your research and shop around, good quality doesn’t always equate to very expensive!
If you’re anything like me you might not want to stop there with home fragrance. Why not shake things up a bit and switch out your fabric softener, dish detergent or disinfectant to a seasonal scent next time you need to buy a new one? And while I’m not suggesting you rush out to buy a new perfume, you might enjoy switching out your lighter, fresher summer fragrance for something a bit warmer and spicier too!
And there you have it! Five easy ways you can welcome the season and style your home for autumn. I hope you enjoy adding a seasonal touch to your home this season.