Discover the best autumn home decor ideas with interior stylist Maxine Brady who shares her home decor hacks so that you can create a snug seasonal home.
Autumn is here, which means it’s the perfect time to refresh your space for the colder months. Just like we do a spring clean after winter, there are some simple styling jobs around the house that will help you get autumn-ready. In this post, I’m sharing my favourite autumn home décor ideas, from cosy textiles and clever lighting, to easy seasonal swaps that will make your home feel warm, inviting and ready for the change of seasons.
This post is inspired by an episode of my How to Home podcast: How to style your home ready for autumn (listen here if you want the full cosy chat. But if you want some cosy tips right now, then read on!
6 Easy Ways To Style these Autumn Home Decor Ideas Into Your Home
Styling your home for autumn doesn’t have to mean a total overhaul. A few thoughtful swaps cosier fabrics, warm lighting, seasonal scents will instantly change the feel of your space. And honestly? It makes the darker days so much more enjoyable.
1. Add Autumn Colours
When you think autumn, what pops into your head? For me, it’s fiery reds, deep berry shades, mossy greens and burnt orange. Think about ways you can add these colours into your home. You don’t need to repaint your walls, just bring these tones into every room with flowers, autumn accessories, cushions, throws, curtains or even… a new rug!
If you’re feeling bold, why not treat a room to a fresh lick of paint to freshen up your space? If you want to go all in, then deep neutrals, berry shades or warm terracottas will cocoon you and your home through the season.
2. LAyer Up Your Textiles
This is where autumn styling gets fun. Pile on the velvets, chunky knits, faux furs and woolly textures. More is more! I even switch out sofa covers for mustard-toned ones just for autumn.
Curtains and blinds do more than add style to a space, they also have a pratical purpose too by keeping out cold draughts, and warm air inside. Now is a good time to take them down, give them a dust or good wash (always check the label first), or consider switching your summer curtains for heavier fabrics like velvet or tweed for autumn for a cosier look.
I actually have extendable poles which use to hang temporary curtains at my back kitchen back door. The poles twist into place and then you can hang a curtain off them on your front door or windows to keep your house cosy and warm.
One way to bring autumn into your home with textiles is with cushions. You can choose ones with autumn motifs if you want to go all out for the season. Or you can simply replace your current summery cushions with ones in autumn colours like rust, burnt orange or mustard (which is what I love to do!)
Swap your lightweight duvet for a higher tog one (you’ll sleep so much better). Treat yourself to brushed cotton or jersey bedding in rust or mustard shades. A fluffy rug on wooden floors makes mornings much nicer.
When it comes to layer up textiles in your home, don’t forget your floors. Rugs are fantastic insulators for wooden or hardwood floors. Give them a quick clean before the cold sets in, or swap a summer flat weave for a soft, shaggy pile which will feel lush underfoot.
3. Create a Cosy Atmosphere with lighting
Lighting is key for turning your home from summer to autumn. Overhead spotlights can feel harsh in the autumn evenings, so instead try adding a few more table lamps, wall lights, candles and fairy lights for warmth and atmosphere. I love a big three-wick candle on the coffee table which adds instant cosy factor. These little lighting touches will create little pockets of glow.
You can draw attention to areas with lighting. One way to do this is with fairy lights that you can use down the centre of your dining table, or around your fireplace, or even across to top of your headboard. Think cosy and dramatic.
4. Get Your Fireplace Ready
If you’re lucky enough to have a period property with a fireplace, now’s the time to dust it off and make it the focal point of your living room. Whether it’s in need of a deep clean or a little makeover, styling your hearth with autumn garlands, fairy lights or candles instantly sets the scene.
If you don’t have a fireplace, then cheat the look with a shelf styled with autumn accessories with a wreath above, or with an electric stove. Basically, you want to create a focal point in your room, and draw attention to it so that you give the impression of a chimney place or hearth. Work your magic on the space you have! This is one of my favourite autumn home decor ideas.
6. Scent the Season
Home fragrance is such a simple win when it comes to autumn home decor ideas for you to try. Treat yourself to cinnamon, pumpkin spice, amber or berry-scented candles for a delicious home fragrance. You could try “scent scaping” in your home. This is when you use scents in different rooms cinnamon in the kitchen, pumpkin spice in the hallway, pine cones pouri pouri in the living room. It’s like styling your home for your nose. It will create a really inviting atmosphere in your home and will help you ringing in the changing seasons.
Want more Autumn home decor ideas?
If you have loved this post, then check out my Ultimate Guide to Interior Styling & Home Décor Tips. And don’t forget to tune into the How to Home podcast for lots more seasonal styling chat. And follow me on instagram to learn a bit more about me (65K followers) as I share more styling tips and inside my home.
Images thanks to:
Dobbies / George Home / Habitat / John Lewis / Ted Baker at DFS / Marks & Spencer