The way we dress ourselves tends to reflect the seasons. In the summer, it’s all about shorts, tank tops and sun dresses, whereas when the weather cools down, jeans and flannels become the new go-to.
Our houses aren’t much different. When the weather changes, it’s important to feel comfortable in your space—much like feeling comfortable in the clothes on your back—and decorating for the colder months is an important aspect of that overall aura of your home.
“When you’re going into fall, you really want to create a feeling of warmth,” says Sallie Kjos, owner of Grey Hunt Interiors, a design company with clientele throughout Northern Virginia. “You’re creating a hibernation cave, so your home is hugging you visually.”
Transitioning the interior design of your home doesn’t have to be drastic, rather it can be done quickly and cost-efficiently. We spoke to Kjos; Sara Raak of Alexandria-based company SKG Design & Style; and Asha Maxey of Asha-Maía Design to find out their tips and tricks for curating a fall-ready home.
It’s all in the details
Transitioning the feel of a room isn’t as hard as it may sound. Instead of swapping out pieces of furniture, our experts suggest changing the little things, such as candles, throw pillows or coffee table books, to match the darker theme of fall and winter.
“If you compare it to a human with style, you wear the same outfits a lot but you can change little things, like the color of your jewelry or add a scarf,” says Maxey. “That’s what this transition is like, too.”
Maxey also suggests going even further by purchasing candles that radiate iconic fall scents, such as pumpkin spice or magnolia, which ultimately creates a feeling of relaxation throughout the space.
Not looking to purchase new accessories? According to Kjos, the best add-on for your dining room or coffee table can come from your front yard.
“Get outside and cut some branches off your trees and throw them in water,” Kjos explains. “It’s an effective and beautiful centerpiece that is not expensive.”
Bring in the warmer tones
While summer is bright and light, autumn and winter reflect a darker, cooler feeling, which should be accentuated throughout your home.
“I think bringing the colors you see outside into your home is really key,” explains Raak. “I tend to go with oranges, navy blue and different shades of yellow. You can incorporate those through things like plates or candlesticks to bring your eye to all the other fall colors that are incorporated throughout each room.”
According to Maxey, even if you enjoy a brighter aesthetic, you can still add warmer tones like deep purples or burnt oranges to embody fall and change the mood of the space.
And while the typical trend in home goods retail reflects orange pumpkins, green trees or other traditional elements of both fall and Halloween, Kjos suggests trying an atypical approach.
“You don’t have to turn your house into an orange pumpkin, so long as you stick to color gradation,” Kjos explains. “So if you’re working with taupes and purples, you could add pumpkins or other thematic patterns in those colors.”
Throw on another layer
According to all three experts, adding texture to your home through layering is an essential aspect of interior design, especially in fall.
Simply adding a throw rug to a larger carpet within a living room, for example, can serve as a base for the new color palette you are going to experiment with, Raak explains.
The layering extends beyond the floor, too.
“To create that warm feeling, you really want to layer up by using thicker fabrics like velvet chenille or fur with your throw blankets and pillows,” says Kjos. “One trick I do is drape really thick, long scarves on either the corner of a bed or over a chair in the dining room. It’s a good cheat because it adds visual interest and comfort to a room with little to no cost.”
As this summer fades into the past, it’s time to look ahead and think of the mood you want to portray this fall.
“Fashion and the home always go hand-and-hand,” says Kjos. “Layer up and think outside the box.”
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