As the temperature cools and the breezy linens of summer are tucked away, our instincts tell us to hunker down and prepare our homes for the winter season ahead.

I love the stark beauty of New England this time of year; it’s exhilarating and invigorating. The leaves are gone, and there’s a simplicity to the landscape. For me, whatever is going on outside influences what’s going on inside for seasonal decor inspiration.

When the autumn light levels dim, we’re naturally drawn to things warm and cozy, but there are a few ways to keep the cozy feel without the clutter. A clean, airy home can also create a cozy warmth.

I’m sharing some of my best tips on how to create a warm and comfortable fall seasonal home while embracing a pared down and more deeply contented space…

1. Choose Pillows & Throws that Change with the Seasons

Feather your nest with pillows that offer seasonal versatility. Use a luxurious linen fabric with a lighter neutral palette for spring and summer on one side and rich nubby patterns in fall hues that more accurately reflect the changes of nature on the other.

No more overstuffing your blanket chests with “off season” decorative cushions. Pillows are an easy way to shift the scenery in your home. But keep in mind that while they serve as a comforting element to your sofa or chair, don’t overdo it. Just a few pillows are enough to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your home this season.

Placing a collection of stacked vintage stitched kantha throws or heirloom quilts of deep reds, plums, and persimmon in a nearby nook or on a wooden accent chair brings the autumn in and allows you to cozy up on the spot and to keep form and function working harmoniously together.

Velvet is a beautifully neutral and versatile fabric that works in all seasons. I love mixing it with boucle`s and hand knotted wools, tossing in a cooler brown alpaca throw to cozy things up for chilly weather.

2. Opt for Serene Colors, Paired with an Autumn Palette

While fall colors are one of the easiest ways to spice up a home for the autumn and winter months, it’s important to think about the season as a turning inward, a time to create restful, serene areas where we can snuggle up by the fire. Mixing in cool and comfy blues and whites accented by the warm hues of fall achieve just that.

Consider bringing in natural materials from the outside like a rustic wooden garden bench to display a collection of terra cotta pots with myrtle topiaries. Switch out the linen rug for a rich green jute rug during the winter months or paint the backs of a bookshelf in a taupe brown or your favorite deep shade of blue. It may be a small touch, but it can instantly warm up the space without adding clutter.

3. Set the Tone for Your Home through the Sense of Smell

When the cold wind blows, burn a good candle in every room possible! Filling your home with luminous soy-based candles during the chilly months is the perfect finishing touch and the easiest way to create a cozy vibe without piling up the clutter. Fun fact…try lighting a candle while you’re drinking your morning coffee, it’s meditative! Candles while you work help you focus too!

Some of my favorite fall-inspired scents include woody base notes, sandalwood and amber mixed with lighter scents of bergamot and falling rain.  In the winter months, I love Thymes-Frasier Fir. It’s crisp and clean and not overpowering.

4. Add Meaningful, but Minimal, Touches of the Outdoors

It’s easy to design a fall inspired vignette with an inviting pop of color using a few winter berries, camel-colored branches and pinecones. Being able to recognize when enough is enough is key to styling a home that feels uncluttered and purposeful. The goal is to welcome the “new season” without obsessing over it. Developing the rigorous mindset of “less is more” is not an easy task.

Whether you have one piece or a collection of ironstone or creamware, cozy up your display with creamy celery white velvet pumpkins for a tone on tone fall theme. Add an organic deer antler and lettuce coral reef from your summer accents, and voila! Even a woven basket filled with kiln dried firewood placed on the hearth is enough to make a room feel warm and cozy.

5. But Wait...What about Last Season’s Home Décor?

Store off season blankets, throws, and pillows by room and by season. Fold the quilt into thirds and put acid-free paper between folds before storing them away. Keep anything you won’t be using in protective mothproof or canvas bags. Take the time to launder them to keep things fresh and orderly.

Touches of texture, soft throws and warm, ambient lighting prepare the home for warm and cozy times as winter sets in.

Whether you are styling an autumnal inspired bookshelf or your Thanksgiving table scape, Audrey Interiors will complete your vision, and elevate the beauty that is unique to your own self-expression.

If you need a professional eye on your space before the holidays arrive, be sure to reach out to us now — we fill up fast!

Warmly,
Audrey