I'm a lazy seasonal decorator, but these are the 6 things I always do to make my home feel a little more cozy come fall

I'll be honest: I'm not the type to go all out with my seasonal decorating. I love the idea of creating a cozy, fall-ready home, but I don’t have the energy (or the storage space) to overhaul my entire home every September.

Instead, I rely on a handful of simple fall decorating swaps that help me shift the mood from summer to fall in step with the new season – without the need for a storage unit.

So what does that look like in practice? Here, I’m sharing the six quick, low-effort little changes I always make in early fall to give my home an inviting new look. Think of it less like redecorating and more like creating small, intentional cues that say: fall has arrived. Some might call it lazy decorating, I call it realistic.

6 easy fall styling swaps you can do in a weekend

It is often the smallest tweaks that can create the biggest impact – whether you're simply looking to warm up your living room or decorate every room for fall.

Plus, it can be totally budget-friendly. A cozy and curated home doesn’t necessarily mean adding more stuff; it’s more about layering in some new textures, tones, and creating warmth through thoughtful details.

Autumnal decorating should feel like a natural extension of your everyday style – not something that feels staged or overdone. And for me, that’s the sweet spot. I want my home to feel inviting and seasonal without looking like I raided the pumpkin-themed aisle at a craft store (although no judgment if that's your thing).

So, with that in mind, here are my lazy-girl-approved tricks to make your home feel like fall in a weekend.

1. Swap out lightweight blankets for chunkier throws

One of the first things I do in September is swap out my lightweight summer throws for something thicker and cozier. A chunky knit or a thick quilt instantly makes the couch – or bed – feel like a place I actually want to curl up in, without me having to restyle a single thing.

Layering textures is one of the easiest ways to create a seasonal shift. It brings warmth, color, and pattern without adding clutter and helps you to set the tone for cozy nights in.

You can either pick up a new throw blanket in a rich fall color, stick to your existing color scheme, or look to the patchwork trend and try out a new quilt on your bed or favorite reading chair to dial up the comfort.

2. Layer in a few extra pillows

As we've established, I'm not the type to rotate all my throw pillows each season, but I do love to add just one or two new cushions once fall comes around.

I try to avoid super cliche or overly seasonal motifs, and instead focus on three things: pattern, color, and texture. Think a rust velvet or earthy olive, a deep burgundy, or a woven tapestry print or cozy plaid to add to the mix of existing tones already on my sofa, bed, or banquette to sprinkle in some extra cozy decorating ideas into each room.

Comfort takes priority in fall, and a little change like adding a new pillow can transform an entire room’s atmosphere.

3. Bring in a soft glow with lamps and candles

As soon as the days start to shorten and descend further into darkness, I find myself reaching less for overhead lights and more for table and floor lamps. Even more so than in summer, the big light is ruled out for fall in my home.

Instead, I aim to create a layered lighting scheme that feels warmer, softer, and so much more inviting. Of course, table lamps and floor lights tend to be standard practice at any time of the year, but in fall, I like to up the ante with some more pockets of ambient lighting with wall lights, candle sconces, and some portable lamps that I can dot around the house easily.

If I’m feeling especially lazy, I’ll just light a candle or two for instant coziness.

4. Retire fresh scents for moodier fragrances

For me, fragrance is the easiest seasonal update of all.

I’ve already put away my beloved citrus and floral candles (I miss you, bergamot) and swapped them out for some more fall-ready scents. Think coffee, pumpkin, wood, cinnamon, patchouli, vanilla – cocooning and comforting fragrances that will make your home smell nice for fall – and treat yourself to a few new candles, room sprays, and diffusers that can be styled around your home.

Fragrance has the power to change how we feel in a space instantly, and even if I do nothing else, this one swap makes my home feel instantly cozier.

5. Switch up your bedding

While most of these tips can be used throughout your home, I think the bedroom deserves just a touch more attention come cozy season.

If you're wondering how to create a cozy bedroom, there are, of course, a few big impact changes you can make – like a new wall color (color-drenched would be my preference), adding an enveloping layer of wallpaper, or rolling out a super soft rug underfoot – but there's nothing like a new bedding set to create the ultimate nesting spot.

I don't go all out with a full fall-themed bedding set, but I do like to add some seasonal layers here and there. Swapping white linen bedding for a heavier-weight cotton will work wonders in some moodier hues, as will adding a fluffy throw to the foot of the bed, and piling on the throw pillows for sinking into.

6. Edit your coffee table and console styling

I also like to make a bit more of a concerted effort with my vignette styling in the fall.

Over the summer, I love to have a display of bright ceramics, shells, and fresh blooms that reflect the season outside. But now, I'm switching them out for stacks of vintage and coffee table books, miniature pumpkins and gourds ahead of Thanksgiving, and of course, plenty of candles. I also like to give my coffee table decor a rejig to create more space for trays of drinks or a board game for hosting at home during winter.

Styling is all about storytelling, so I'll be giving my console tables and credenzas a quick refresh, shifting a few objects and bringing in a few new pieces for some low-effort styling that works for a new seasonal story.

Making your home feel cozy for fall doesn’t have to mean a total transformation. A new throw here, a candle swap there, and suddenly the whole space feels warmer and more inviting. Pick one or two of these updates, and your home will feel ready for fall in no time.