As daylight fades and temperatures fall, crisp leaves start lining pathways and streets. Our site visits are fuelled by pumpkin spice lattes. And – as interior designers – we can’t help but be inspired by the textures and colours that Autumn’s arrival brings, each year.
(So much so that we use it as a welcomed excuse to style our homes for the season, yet again!)
But it turns out we’re not the only ones…
Given that we spend more time indoors at this time of year, it can’t come as a surprise that around late September, many of us start seeking out ways to transform our homes into cosy cocoons.
With that in mind, we’ve rustled up our styling tips for the season, below.
From time-honoured shades that provide comfort and warmth to low lighting ideas that honour Autumn’s glow, you don’t have to spend a fortune to create a snug space that you look forward to retreating to when the nights draw in.
1. Repaint joinery, furniture or panelling in warmer shades
As a general rule, we tend to let nature’s palette inspire us year-round. With that in mind, we lean towards warmer tones at this time of year.
That being said, though it’s a personal preference, we avoid painting with stereotypically ‘Autumnal’ colours (aka. Fiery shades of reds, conker browns and golden hues) and let autumnal fabrics and prints do the talking instead. This particular image is ‘Drop Cloth’ by Farrow & Ball – a year-round favourite that provides the perfect backdrop for each season.
2. Add comfort and cosiness with lots of layers and natural textures
One of the easiest ways to update your home for Autumn is by – you guessed it – updating your soft furnishings. Be it in regards to throws, cushions, rugs, curtains, bedding… we could go on… it’s one of the only times you’ll ever hear us say “more is more!” At this time of year, substitute summer’s linen and cotton with tactile textures like tweed, wool or – for something more sumptuous – velvet. Play around with layers by adding heavier quilts and wool blankets to bedding and soft seating. And consider opting for thermal curtains in thick fabrics that lock the cold out, such as wool blends and heavy cottons. Not only will they look the part but it’ll add an additional layer of warmth that you’ll be grateful for when the first frost arrives. Not sure what shade to opt for? Again, using nature’s palette for inspiration, consider richer shades of russet, ochre, or moss green for an earthy, wholesome feel.
3. Embrace the season’s darkness with ambient lighting indoors
It’s no secret that the lack of natural light on display can split opinions at this time of year… which is why we’re always keen to remind homeowners to have fun with lighting inside, instead. Try not to get caught up in trying to recreate summer’s light though! Instead, make the most of natural light sources and think about ways you can amplify that light (eg. A well-placed mirror in south/west-facing rooms will reflect the fiery hues of Autumnal sunsets throughout your home). Looking to make a space feel cosier? Try switching off the main lights and layering light with a combination of table lamps, floor lamps or low-hanging pendants. Something as simple as updating your lampshades; switching cold light bulbs to warm ones; or investing in dimmer switches in spaces that you’re keen to relax in (such as your living room or bedroom) are easy ways to update your scheme for Autumn, too.
4. Bring the outside indoors with autumnal foliage
If you scour our Instagram account, it won’t take long before you spy various pots filled with foliage sat on most surfaces in the homes that we design. Why? Because firstly, who doesn’t love fresh blooms?! But secondly, because it’s an easy and creative way to bring the outdoors, inside. In spring and summer, we opt for bright blooms and vivid green leaves. Come Autumn, we opt for (preserved) green oak or fiery shades of beech leaves to set the seasonal mood. Arranged in rustic pots with a combination of dried stems and twigs, they’re the perfect seasonal centrepiece for dining tables or entrance halls.
5. Consider custom storage or bespoke joinery to declutter
As with Spring, Autumn is a great time to declutter before the hustle and bustle of the festive season gets underway. The key to a good declutter? Smart storage solutions! Be it in regards to heavyweight casserole dishes that emerge from the backs of cupboards or thick jumpers and coats that make their annual journey down from the loft, let’s face it, at this time of year, everything’s a tad bulkier… which makes it a lot harder to store! Whether you’re looking for the perfect place to store muddy wellies, soggy rain coats or the families’ vast collection of hats, scarves and gloves (!) we’re forever designing bespoke cupboards and storage solutions to deal with whatever life throws our way.
And finally…
6. Use seasonal scents to create flow throughout your home
When it comes to creating a sense of flow throughout a home, it’s not just ‘sight’ and ‘touch’ that we factor into our designs. ‘Scent’ can play a huge role in setting the (seasonal) scene. Personally, we’re more inclined to opt for candles with warm notes of amber and musk or oakwood and leather than your typical cinnamon or pumpkin-inspired scents! The key is to find a smell that evokes ‘that Autumn feeling’ for you though. Once you’ve got your autumn scent in mind, stock up (with a variety of candles and diffusers) so that you can use it throughout the entirety of your home.
It really is such an inspiring time of year for us so we hope that these tips provide some inspiration for you!
For now though, we wish you a suitably cosy few weeks ahead. We’d love to hear what you’re keen for us to discuss next month. Feel free to drop us a message on our Instagram and let us know.
Emily and Danielle x
