We haven’t quite hit the official first day of fall, but we are already there in the minds of fall lovers everywhere. If you’re like me and you love this season, you like to bring fall vibes inside. Check out my five easy tips below to make your home a cozy fall gathering place.

Use Leaves

It might seem obvious to suggest using leaves in your fall decor. That’s what fall’s all about, leaves changing into their beautiful next act colors and then falling to the ground in preparation for winter. Now’s the time to bring alive the vibrancy that naturally decorates our land and hone in on the pretty reds, oranges, and yellows we take colors tours to view.

Find pretty centerpieces and mix in a few faux leaves. Or take a couple long stems and incorporate them into a year-round household item like the picture below. You’ll remember I spruced up these large candle holders for spring. The beauty of their neutral design is they can be dressed up to function during any season.

Provide Pillows (and Blankets)

Colder temps mean everyone has a great excuse to cuddle up on the couch and sip on an appropriate seasonal beverage while wrapped up in a cozy blanket. Throw in Netflix (and maybe a pizza) and you’re looking at a comfortable evening. I love pulling out different pillows for each decorating season. For fall, I’m in love with these plaid pillows and matching blanket I found at JoAnn Fabrics. They’re inviting, and the blanket pulls together the contrasting red and orange plaid on the pillows. So get cozy!

Pumpkin Spice is Everything Nice

Few people hate the smell of pumpkin spice, marshmallows, or cider donuts. If you’re one of those who do, this must be a difficult time of year for you. Personally, I love every scent that wafts around this time of year, and to keep my house smelling like a cider mill at all times, I use Bath and Body Works Wall Flowers. Use these or candles. If you’re not a fan of either, then check out diffuser options.

Wanting a more authentic smell? Bake! Nothing quite comes close to the smell of freshly baked cookies (or freshly brought home donuts). Their smell infiltrates a room and tastes even better.

Pumpkins

Love carving pumpkins? I love it just as much as the next person, but after you’ve spent hours carving and taken pictures in the dark with candles illuminating your design, you’re left with a rotting fruit on the front porch. Pumpkins are cute decor items inside too, so pick up a couple plastic ones from any hobby store. Squash and gourds can also be tastefully sprinkled around your home.

Mix Your Tastes

Do you adore natural fall colors and can’t envision walking the perimeter of that color scheme but are smitten with the “white” pumpkin and light leafy trend? What’s “in” is always changing, and if you like the new takes on fall, then incorporate that too! You don’t have to stick to one color scheme throughout your entire home. I like the traditional colors of red and orange for most of my home, but decided to bring an elegant rustic vibe into my dining room.

 

Don’t feel like everything must match. It’s fun to see the different creative sides of the designer (that’s you!). Work with what you love and your space will look great.

 

 

If fall is your favorite season like me, then bring the warmth of the season inside. You can do this even on a budget. Some (most) of these fall items pictured were bought at the end of the season with 80% discounts attached. (Much of this fall decor was purchased for my fall wedding the following year, so we scored major discounts and I could use it after the big day too.) This material doesn’t really go out of style, so you can use and reuse this decor for years to come and it will look great.

 

And if you’re tired of the same old way you decorated for the past few years, fall decor is easy to re-style. (I’ve done it nearly every year since our apartment layouts have changed. I’ve had about four different “welcome” area designs.) You can achieve a different feel just by rearranging.

 

Adding just a handful of fall colors into your space will take on the weather changes happening outside and make your home the coziest retreat.

 

Happy Fall, Cheers!