How can I make my home cozier for fall? 6 designer approved tips to take you into autumn

There's something so lovely about decorating your home for fall. As the days get cooler and shorter, naturally we want to hunker down in rooms that cocoon us, welcoming us with warm colors and cozy textures.

How to make your home cozier is a question so many of us are asking right now as we transition out of summer and into autumn. And really it fall decor needn't mean an entire overhaul, simple and affordable switches are all it can take to bring your home out of summer and make it cozier for fall and winter.

How to make a house cozy for Fall  

Once you have gotten over the hurdle or working out when you should start decorating for fall, it is time to whip out the cozy throws and excessive pillows. Here is what else the experts recommend.

1. Pick deeper colors and warmer fabrics

'As the crisp air of fall arrives, it’s the perfect time to embrace a cozier ambiance in your home. Consider swapping out your light summer accents for a richer, moodier palette. Think deep jewel-toned velvet pillows and plush throws that invite warmth,' suggests designer Marie Flanigan.

'Incorporate textures like velvet and wool, replacing linen with these heavier fabrics to create a space that feels both luxurious and inviting. Layering these elements will not only add depth to your decor but will also make your home a welcoming retreat as the temperatures drop.'

2. Layer, layer, layer

Layering in interior design is important no matter the time of year, but it really plays a role when making a house cozy in the fall. It is also one of the easiest ways to add coziness to your home.

'One easy way to warm up your home and up the coziness factor is to change out your bedding and accent pillows for something a bit saturated and layered,' suggests designer Mollie Ranize. 'I love mixing colors of linens and velvets which automatically feel inviting. You can also layer in large cable knit blankets which make you want to crawl in bed to enjoy those cooler nights.'

'You can never have too many autumnal throw pillows and fuzzy cashmere blankets!' adds designer Kathy Kuo. 'These easy additions to any living room really go a long way in creating a sense of coziness. I also love adding a couple seasonal scented candles or oil diffusers in really beautiful vessels.'

3. Soften your lighting

Of course, the lighting changes outside as we move into fall, getting softer and darker. Inside your home, lighting can change too to match those shorter days and longer nights. You want to go soft and layered, pools of warm light throughout rooms to invite you.

'One of the quickest and easiest ways for your home to feel warm and cozy in the cooler months is to first dim your lighting a bit,' suggests designer Jennifer Walter. 'Just casting a warmer glow can immediately give a sense of comfort. You can also use clippings from your own yard or grab reasonable branches and florals from your local grocery store (Trader Joes always has a wonderful assortment).'

4. Change cool metallics for warm-toned brass

When wondering how to start decorating for fall, changing out your home hardware probably isn't the first thing to come to mind.

Nevertheless, swapping out any cool-toned metals such as silver and chrome for warmer alternatives like brass, copper, and gold is a great way to warm up the space and make it feel cozier, recommends Mehreen Baldoni, creative director of Mehreen Baldoni Interiors. You can also mix metals if swapping out everything in your scheme isn't for you.

‘I also love adding metallics like brushed gold and brass as I feel it brings character and charm when used with Fall colors,’ she shares. ‘A good way of incorporating this is by adding warm lights with brushed gold or brass details in the room.’

5. Carve out a cozy corner

Although we strongly recommend making your whole home cozy in fall, for true immersion into the season, it is possible to carve out a single cozy corner to settle down into to relax, especially in rented properties, or shared homes.

This special corner should be a place where you can enjoy your favorite activities like reading, knitting, painting, or playing games. Find a spot near a window or a fireplace where you can get some natural light or cozy warmth. Then add a comfortable chair or sofa, a side table, a lamp, and some storage for your books, magazines, or supplies. Don't forget candles and candleholders, we love this elegant Bobbin Candle Holder by Addison Ross on Saks, the warm red finish is perfect for fall.

6. Create cozy wellness with color

Warm color schemes dominate fall trends year after year, but for good reason – they are the best way to make a house look cozy.

To create a relaxing space, Ashley Banbury, interior designer and color expert at Dutch Boy Paints suggests picking a natural color: A neutral-toned sanctuary makes people feel good while providing comfort and protection from the outside world.’

It is not just browns and yellows that can make your space cozier, however, she adds. 'The primary colors of fall are warm shades, but dusty blues are now entering in to be well-loved for fall. You can also add a bit more character with green neutrals to switch it up.'

7. Add instant coziness with candles

It wouldn't be Fall without the best candles and layering them up around your space is a great way to invoke coziness – both with cozy lighting and fragrance layering.

‘One can't really feel the full extent of Fall approaching without the gorgeous smells of fresh pine, sweet cinnamon, spiced pumpkin, bergamot, or the notes of amber and leather,’ says Mehreen Baldoni. ‘My personal favorite is Diptyque’s Maquis, available at Diptyque, which has just the perfect amount of amber and leather with subtle notes of sun-dried earth which makes you feel so close to nature.’

If you can't have live candles, then you could consider a candle warmer to help melt the wax without a flame, or alternative methods of making a house smell like Fall such as simmer pots, with lighting provided by warm table lamps.

When making a house look cozy for Fall, it helps to declutter before Fall to make the space feel intentional, and not cramped. This process should include getting rid of any summer decor you didn't resonate with this year and clearing out any Fall decor you don’t like when pulling pieces out of seasonal storage. This not only makes your home feel less overwhelming, but makes space for you to find some new seasonal pieces too.