• Jessica

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How to make your home cozy for fall

Let’s get festive

When the weather starts to cool down and the leaves begin to change color, it’s time to start thinking about making your home cozy for fall. There are many easy and affordable ways to add cozy touches throughout your house. So let’s take a look at some of the best ways to make your home cozy for fall.

What makes a home cozy?

First things first, let’s talk about what makes a home cozy. Coziness is a feeling, and while decor can help, it’s not the only thing that contributes to that feeling. It’s a feeling of warmth and welcoming, like you can curl up and relax. It’s the scents and textures and colors that make you feel calm and comfortable.

Coziness is also personal. What makes one person feel cozy may not have the same effect on another person. That’s why it’s important to consider what makes YOU feel cozy when you’re decorating your home for fall.

Simple ways to decorate for fall

Now that we know what makes a home cozy let’s talk about some cozy fall decorating. There are many different ways to do this, but we’re going to talk about simple switches you can make that don’t require a lot of work but still have a big impact.

Throw pillows and pillow covers

You probably already have some throw pillows on your couch, right? Switching out the pillow covers is a super simple way to add a little touch of fall to your decor. Look for covers in warm colors like red, orange, and yellow. You can also find covers with fall-inspired prints, like leaves or pumpkins.

Not only are they inexpensive, but they don’t take up much storage space when the seasons change.

Coffee table decor

Another easy way to add some fall flair to your home is to change up the coffee table decor. Look for fall-themed books, scented candles, and trays. You can also use small pumpkins or gourds as decoration.

Throw blankets

Just like switching out your throw pillow covers, throw blankets are an easy way to add a touch of fall to your home. Look for blankets in warm colors or with fall prints.

You can also find them in different textures, like wool or Chenille. They’ll not only keep you cozy, but they’ll also add some visual interest to your space.

Candles and wax melts

Candles are always a good idea, but they’re especially cozy for fall. Look for candles in your favorite fall scent like pumpkin spice, apple cider, or cranberry.

If you have kiddos or pets or just don’t stay in one room long enough for an open flame to be an option, wax melts are a great alternative. You can find them in all the same fall scents, and they’ll make your whole house smell amazing.

Fall flowers and mums

Chrysanthemums are one of my favorite flowers simply because they’re so synonymous with autumn. Pick up a few potted mums and place them around your home for a splash of fall color.

Or buy a nice bouquet of cut flowers with a fall feel, like sunflowers and dahlias.

Decorate with as many natural items as you can

Incorporating natural elements into your decor is always a good idea, but it can be particularly cozy in the fall. Look for items like driftwood, leaves, acorns, and pinecones.

And don’t forget the grocery store. You can pick up pumpkins, gourds, apples, and more to use as home decor, but also to use as ingredients when cooking up new recipes! (Bonus points for dual-purpose!)

Letterboard sign

I resisted the trend for a long time, but letterboards are just fun. You can obviously leave it up year-round, but change up the message for the season.

Look up cute fall quotes or funny one-liners and put them on display. (Just make sure you don’t use too many letterboards, or your home will start to look like a Twitter feed.)

Wall art

We all have walls; why not use them? Switching out your wall art is a great way to add some fall coziness to your home. Look for prints with warm colors or fall themes, like leaves or pumpkins.

You can also find a lot of great printable artwork on Etsy. Just search for “fall wall art,” and you’ll find tons of options.

Silk leaves and fall garlands

If you want to add some fall color to your decor, but don’t want the hassle of fresh flowers, try using silk leaves or garlands. You can find them in all sorts of colors, from traditional fall hues to more unexpected shades.

Hang garlands over doorways and windows, use them to decorate your mantel above the fireplace, or wind them around your coffee table or dining table.

And single silk leaves can go almost anywhere! Tuck them behind the corner of a picture frame, underneath a candle, or anywhere else that could use a touch of fallishness.

Some things to consider when it comes to seasonal decor

If you’re heading out for a fall decor shopping spree, head out with a plan. I know how tempting it can be to see all the fall stuff on the shelves and just start throwing things in your cart. But trust me, you’ll be happier (and your wallet will thank you) if you take a little time to consider what you really need and what will work best in your home. Here are a few things to think about:

Colors: What colors do you want to use?

Your color scheme can significantly affect how cozy your home feels. For example, if you want a more subdued look, stick with earth tones like brown, tan, and green. Or go for a brighter, more cheerful vibe with yellow, orange, and red.

Also, consider what colors you will want to use long-term. Will you still love that bright purple and orange throw blanket next October? If not, you might not want to go all out with those colors this year.

Storage: Where will everything live the rest of the year?

If you’re going to be storing your fall decor away 3/4 of the year**, make sure you have a place to put it where it won’t get damaged. I’ve seen too many people buy beautiful wreaths, only to have them get squished and ruined because they didn’t have a safe place to store them.

When you’re shopping, look for items that can serve multiple purposes the rest of the year or that can be easily stored. And if you’re really short on storage space, consider using more biodegradable items, like real pumpkins, leaves, and acorns. That way, you can just compost them or donate them to a rescue farm when you’re done!

**Sidenote – Yes, you are absolutely allowed to leave your fall decor up year-round if that’s what makes you happy. In fact, my little sister is the self-proclaimed queen of Halloween…her entire house is Halloween all year long.

Budget: How much do you want to spend?

This is a big one. Seasonal decor can be expensive, especially if you buy everything new every year. So if you’re on a tight budget, stick with a few key pieces you really love and build your decor around those. You can also look for second-hand items at thrift stores or garage sales.

And if you’re crafty, DIY some of your decor. It can be a great way to save money. There are tons of great tutorials online for easy (and cheap) fall DIY projects.

Vibes: How do you want your home to feel?

Think about the overall vibe you want to create for your home. Do you want it to feel warm and cozy? Bright and cheerful? Relaxing and Zen? Your decor choices should reflect the vibe you’re going for. If you want a cozy vibe, go for items with lots of texture, like chunky knit blankets and soft pillows. If you’re going for bright and cheerful, look for items with bold colors and patterns. And if you want a more relaxing vibe, stick with calm colors and simple designs.

Versatility: Can you use this for other seasons too?

Fall decor doesn’t have to be just for fall! Look for elements you can use year-round, like vases, baskets, and candles. You can also look for items with a color palette that will work during other times of the year. For example, maybe instead of the orange throw pillow covers, you choose a deep red that can also be used for the holidays. Or, instead of the fall-themed candles, you choose a warm, woodsy scent that can also be used in the winter.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you’re shopping for fall decor. By taking the time to think about what you really want and need, you’ll end up with a cozy home that reflects your personal style.

Tips for making your home cozy for fall

Now that we’ve talked about some simple ways to decorate your home for fall, let’s talk about how to make it cozy for the season. Because ultimately, that’s what we’re going for here. We want our homes to be a haven from the outside world, a place where we can relax and feel at ease.

Here are a few tips to help you make your home cozier this fall:

Get ready for the darker evenings with lighting

As the days get shorter, we’ll spend more time indoors in the evening. And while there’s something cozy about that, it can also feel a bit cramped and claustrophobic.

Good lighting is key to making your home feel cozy, regardless of the season. But in the fall, when we’re spending more time inside, it’s even more important.

So take a look at your lighting situation and see if any areas could use a little improvement. Maybe you need an extra lamp in the living room, or a dimmer switch for the dining room. Or perhaps all you need is to change out your light bulbs for softer, warmer tones.

Add a cluster of battery-operated candles to that dark corner, or put some fairy lights in a vase to light up your coffee table. There are all sorts of ways to add light and make your home feel cozier.

Transition gradually

Seasons don’t change overnight (usually), so your decor doesn’t have to either. If you want to make your home feel cozy for fall, but aren’t ready to commit to full-on pumpkin spice everything, decorate a little bit at a time. Shift and change your decor gradually as the season changes.

This way, you can ease into fall and make your home feel cozy without going overboard.

For example, I usually start using apples in a crate as a dining table centerpiece in September. Then I’ll use those apples to make a pie and start adding pumpkins and gourds to that same crate. By early October, my dining table is full-on harvest, then Halloween. And then, in November, we move into Thanksgiving mode.

But it all starts with just a few apples in a crate. So take it slow and enjoy the transition into fall.

Add those cozy touches

One of the best things about fall is that it’s the perfect season for cozy touches. Think chunky knit blankets, soft pillows, and warm throws. These are the things that make a house feel like a home.

So if you want to make your home feel cozy this fall, look for ways to add in these types of touches. Make sure every room has at least one cozy element, whether it’s a blanket thrown over the back of the couch or a basket of soft pillows for the bedroom.

These touches will not only make your home feel cozier, but they’ll also make it more inviting and comfortable. And that’s what we’re going for here.

Stock up on cozy snacking essentials

When the weather outside is getting chilly, there’s nothing better than snuggling up inside with a good book and a bowl of something warm and cozy. So make sure you have all the essentials on hand for the perfect fall snack.
This might include things like:

• A jar of Nutella or peanut butter (for dipping apples, of course)
• A can of pumpkin puree (for making pumpkin spice lattes or baking pumpkin bread)
• A box of graham crackers (for s’mores by the fire)
• A bag of marshmallows (also for s’mores – these square marshmallows are the greatest thing since sliced bread and Betty White)
• A package of hot chocolate mix (for cold evenings)
• A box of tea bags (to make a pot of cozy herbal tea)

These are just a few ideas to get you started. But really, anything that sounds cozy and comforting will do the trick.

Final thoughts

Fall is a great time to cozy up your home and add in some seasonal touches. The tips we’ve shared should help you get started on making your home feel warm and inviting this autumn. Whether you’re using pumpkins, cute scented candles, or leaves as inspiration, there are plenty of ways to make your home cozy for fall. So what are some of your favorite ways to create that cozy fall feeling? Share in the comments below!