Image Credit: DFS
Cosy season incoming: 9 ways to decorate for autumn’s new mood
After a summer of flinging open the windows, playing musical fans and trying desperately to locate the coolest spot in the house, we’re more than ready for autumn to change the mood.
And this year, it’s less about decorating our homes for autumn and more about decorating for how we want autumn to feel.
Think warm, cocooning and comfortably lived-in rather than an explosion of pumpkins, orange leaves and seasonal knick-knacks.
Essentially, we want our homes to give us the interiors equivalent of pulling on our favourite jumper.
It seems we’re not alone. Pinterest has previously reported a 90% rise in searches for ‘cosy autumn vibes’, while ‘cosy lighting’ jumped 200% and searches for ‘cosy reading room’ increased 140% – suggesting we’re increasingly interested in creating the feeling of the season rather than simply filling our homes with autumn-themed accessories.
“After such a long, hot summer, there’s a real desire to settle in and make our homes feel comforting again,” explains Nicky Emlick, creative director, Sofa.com.
“Autumn’s new mood is warm, layered and lived-in, but without feeling overly styled or themed.
Rather than ‘decorating for autumn’ in the traditional sense, it’s about creating spaces that make us want to slow down and enjoy being at home.”
Interior designer and founder, Abigail Ahern, agrees that after a scorching summer, we’re craving a different kind of comfort.
“Autumn invites us to slow down, retreat indoors and create homes that feel warm, atmospheric and deeply cosy,” she says.
“It’s less about decorating for a season and more about shifting the mood of your space so it becomes somewhere you want to curl up and stay.”
The good news is you don’t need a full seasonal makeover to give your home a refresh.
Swapping summer brights for burnished shades, layering tactile fabrics, warming up your lighting and introducing earthy materials can subtly shift the atmosphere of a room.
Add in a few cosy rituals and a scent that makes you want to hunker down and suddenly staying in feels considerably more appealing.
Ready to switch your home into autumn mode? Here’s how to set the mood…
Embrace an earthy colour palette
Take your colour cues from the changing landscape outside, layering earthy browns, muted greens and warm ochres to create a scheme that feels instantly more grounded
“Colour is an easy way to make a seasonal shift,” explains Nicky.
“But instead of completely changing your scheme, swap brighter summer accents for richer, burnished tones such as rust, ochre, chocolate, olive and deep burgundy.
“These shades work particularly well through upholstery and cushions, and pair beautifully with warm woods and other natural materials to give a room an earthy, grounded quality.”
Johanna Constantinou, interior trends expert at Tapi Carpets and Floors, says terracotta is one of the best shades to bring into the home during autumn, with the burnt orange tones reflecting the changing colours of the leaves and landscape during the season.
“Autumnal colours don’t begin and end with orange, however; rich browns and hints of deep greens can seamlessly tie together your home’s cosy look,” she continues.
“If you’re not sure where to start, cushions, rugs and blankets are all ideal places to incorporate an autumnal colour palette.”
Forage for fall
Bringing the outside in takes on a different mood come autumn, with leafy botanicals and earthy foliage adding warmth and depth without feeling overtly seasonal.
“Botanicals are the ultimate expression of the season,” explains Abigail.
“Celebrate the changing season with botanical touches that feel wild and natural.
“Autumn stems, grasses, branches and foliage add texture and an earthy, relaxed feel without looking overly styled. And remember, faux foliage is just as effective as the real thing.”
Look to botanical prints to set the autumn mood too, swapping summery florals for leafy designs in richer, earthier shades.
“Botanical motifs, organic forms, abstract landscapes and softly drawn florals are replacing the bolder geometric designs that characterised previous seasons,” explains Pat Giddens, owner of interiors emporium, The Hackney Draper.
“These designs bring a connection to nature while maintaining a calm and sophisticated feel.”
Rather than dominating a scheme, Pat says these patterns can be introduced through accent cushions, statement blinds or occasional upholstered pieces, balanced by textured plains and complementary neutrals.
Rethink your layout
Rearranging your furniture might not be the first thing you think of when giving your home an autumn refresh, but it can completely change how a room feels.
Pulling seating closer together helps create smaller conversation zones and makes larger spaces feel cosier, more intimate and ready for evenings spent entertaining indoors.
Julia Bilotta, creative stylist, at Sofology, recommends challenging convention when it comes to the layout of your furniture.
“Dispensing with styling norms can help us discover the versatility of our living areas, creating new nooks and spaces that feel more relaxed and inviting,” she explains.
“Something as simple as freeing your sofa from the walls can create a more informal layout, while giving you the opportunity to play with scale and create a greater sense of intimacy.
“It also allows you to reconfigure your room depending on how you want to use it – whether that’s creating a cocooning space to curl up in on colder evenings or a more open, convivial setting for entertaining.”
Johanna also recommends seeking out a focal point, for example a fireplace.
“Positioning sofas or large, comfortable armchairs to face the fireplace is a great way to create a cosy setting, with a coffee table placed between them for added comfort and practicality during the colder months.”
No fireplace? No worries.
There are plenty of other options for curating a focal point. Check out our ideas here.
Switch to heavy weight fabrics
The darker, cooler conditions in autumn are a natural invitation to swap out the more breathable fabrics from summer for heavyweight and tactile materials that bring warmth and comfort.
“Curtains are a simple seasonal switch that can have a real impact on the space without completely redesigning a room,” explains Marie Goodwin, head designer at Prestigious Textiles.
“Moving away from sheers and lightweight cottons in favour of lined curtains in richer colourways can make a room feel more enveloping, while also helping to keep draughts at bay.”
Rugs can have a similar effect, with thicker, higher-pile materials adding warmth and texture underfoot.
“As they take up a large amount of visual space, switching them out can instantly make a room feel cosier for autumn,” Marie continues.
“Introducing cushions in tactile velvets or chenilles and warmer tones helps to bring that extra layer of comfort to sofas and armchairs as the cold draws in.”
Get layering
Layering is also key to capturing autumn’s cosy, lived-in mood.
“Introduce fabrics that pick up on shades already present in your colour scheme, then build depth with tactile pieces such as chunky knit throws or velvet cushions,” Julia recommends.
Don’t stop your autumn layering at cushions and throws – doubling up your window dressings can make a room feel instantly warmer, softer and more cocooning.
“Window dressing is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with layered treatments replacing single-solution approaches,” explains Pat.
“Sheers paired with curtains allow homeowners to balance privacy and light control while introducing softness and movement throughout the day.
“Roman blinds layered beneath decorative drapery are also gaining popularity, particularly in bedrooms and living spaces where comfort and atmosphere are key.”
Pat says this layered approach not only improves functionality but also contributes to the rich, cocooning aesthetic that defines the season.
Give your home a housekeeping MOT
Before you get busy making your home feel cosy, a little practical prep will make sure it’s ready for everything autumn throws at it – muddy shoes, wet leaves and all.
“Arguably the most difficult part of autumn is making sure your home stays tidy despite the elements,” advises Johanna.
“Taking a proactive approach can help.
“Creating a practical entranceway is a good place to start, with a washable runner or a carpet offcut from a previous DIY project by the front door to catch mud and wet leaves, alongside a shoe rack to stop dirty footwear from marking your floors.
“If you have the space, a small bench can also make taking off shoes easier, but is not essential.”
Johanna recommends adding a few other simple seasonal jobs to your home-ready list, such as packing away summer decor and giving any stored cushions, blankets and other textiles a wash before bringing them back out.
“This can help remove any dust or musty odours that have built up while they’ve been stored,” she adds.
Make a tactile transition
According to Abigail autumn is all about introducing softness through tactile materials rather than filling a room with more things.
“Think woven textiles, boucle, wool, shaggy cushions and richly textured ceramics to create a space that feels inviting and cocooning,” she explains.
Look to texture in your materials too.
“My advice for autumn is to stop adding things and start changing surfaces,” Lesley Taylor, interior designer and founder at Baked Tiles.
“If a room feels flat, the answer is rarely another cushion or ornament.
“It is usually that too many finishes are the same.
“A matt floor, a slightly uneven glazed tile or a surface with more movement will add far more warmth than filling the room with seasonal accessories.”
To make your home feel warmer and more inviting Grazzie Wilson, Head of Creative at Ca’ Pietra, suggests choosing materials that already have character.
“Tumbled stone, terracotta and glazed ceramics work well because they are not completely uniform,” she explains.
“You get differences in tone, edge and surface, and those variations stop a room feeling too pristine.
“And do not be afraid of marks, movement or irregular edges,” she continues.
“Those are often the details people try to avoid when buying materials, but they are exactly what give a room personality.”
Give your home a glow-down
As daylight fades, lighting becomes the quickest way to transform the atmosphere of a room.
Abigail suggests stepping away from the big light.
“Layer table lamps, portable lamps and tea lights throughout your home to create warm pockets of glow instead of relying on one overhead light,” she says.
Peter Legg, lead designer at Där Lighting recommends placing lights at different levels.
“Layer your lighting scheme to ensure the room is illuminated both vertically and horizontally, creating a cosy and lived-in atmosphere,” he says.
“Table and floor lamps are ideal for brightening any shadowy corners.
“Pairing with shades in neutral and orange tones introduces soft autumnal hues, particularly when paired with warm lightbulbs to produce an amber glow.”
Get scentsy
When we think about changing our decor, we traditionally think of colours or objects, but scent plays an equally important part in curating the mood of your interiors.
“Scent plays a powerful role in transforming the feel of your home,” explains Johanna.
“Light citrus and floral notes can be swapped for spiced or woody scents to create a more seasonal atmosphere, without the need for a major change.”
In Autumn we’re also looking to slow down a little, and Suzy Nightingale, fragrance expert for smol says there’s a scent for that too.
“If you’re wanting to unwind after a busy day, warmer fragrances can help reinforce that sense of calm.
“Lavender remains a classic for good reason, thanks to its long-standing association with relaxation and better sleep, but it’s far from the only option.
“Creamy sandalwood and earthy patchouli create a comforting, grounded atmosphere, while aromatic notes such as rosemary and cardamom can make a space feel calmer and more balanced.
“Rosemary, in particular, has been linked to lower cortisol levels and improved mental clarity.”
Want more inspiration? Read: Greek chic: 10 ways to get The Odyssey look at home and Battle of the clashes – 11 ways to cohesively clash your interior decor. And check out Back-to-school interiors: 11 ways to reset your home for the new term
READ MORE: