As Fall sneaks up on us, so does the colder weather. The light and airy design elements that balanced out the summer heat now feel too cool and stark. Autumn is the time for steaming mugs of tea, a toasty fireside and, overall, a home that you want to snuggle up in.
Here are five ways to begin transitioning from the breeziness of summer to the coziness of fall:
1) Add a Dash of Fall Color
This season is ripe with warm colors: gold, ochre, russet and orange are just a selection of autumn's rich palette. These warm tones are known for making rooms feel intimate and cozy.
When fall hits, try adding splashes of these colors throughout your home. Pay special attention to accent items that you can change for each season like rugs, chunky throws, or pillows pillows.
2) Play with Autumn Flavors and Scents
For many people, the scents of baking are a reminder of snug kitchens, family gatherings, and holiday treats. Exchange plain or summer themed candles for autumnal scents like pumpkin spice and apple pie. Even decorating with food elements like gourds and pumpkins helps to accentuate that cozy kitchen feel.
3) Bring Nature Inside
Spending time outside benefits your health and helps you relax. To continue your inviting atmosphere, use calming vignettes like a bowl of polished rocks, a pinecone wreath, or a group of twisty branches.
You can even add in firewood for a rustic touch. For your existing house plants, add a cozy touch by swapping out glass or ceramic containers for textural woven baskets.
4) Use Textures and Layers
Soft chunky blankets, plush pillows, and fuzzy rugs all create a feeling of warmth and security. Layer these elements in gathering areas and bedrooms both for practicality and that snuggly feel! Using warm tones within these elements makes your space feel especially "fall".
5) Mix In Warm Lighting
The glow of a table lamp can take a room from wide and cool to soft and inviting. During the colder months when natural lighting is especially scarce, try placing floor or table lamps around your house. This type of light is called "task lighting", though I prefer the term "zone lighting".
Additionally, when shopping for bulbs, remember to aim for warm lighting rather than cooler tones. Typically these bulbs are called "warm light", rather than "bight light" or "daylight", and will have the feel of incandescent bulbs rather than LED (still go for LED for the energy savings, just opt for warm light).
Making your space cozy for the autumn season doesn't need to be complicated, and it's as simple as applying one or two of these suggestions. Maybe you have your own hacks for making a space feel autum-y? If so, we'd love to hear your suggestions. Share them in the comments below!
Work with Lauren Figueroa Interior Design
LFID is a full-service interior design firm serving West and Southeast Michigan known especially for our Designed in a Day service.
We work with clients from Detroit to Novi to Clarkston, and Grand Rapids to Holland to Traverse City—and anywhere in between! We pride ourselves on creating bespoke, people-centered spaces—because after all, people are what this life is all about!
If you have a project on the horizon, get started by telling us about your vision here, and you can view past projects here. Thanks for stopping by!
