Our blink and you’ll miss it summer, with its overcast skies and prolonged periods of rain, has left Brits already scrolling for autumn home decor inspiration.

Despite the forecast predicting some late summer sunshine, searches for ‘autumn house decor’ in the UK have surged by 60% in the past week alone with no signs of slowing down.

It seems that as well as switching our iced coffee for a pumpkin spiced latte we’re also looking to swap out our holiday inspired interiors for something altogether cosier. Enter: autumnal home decor.

“A change in season provides a great opportunity to reset your living space with seasonal autumn home decor,” explains Tom Revill, co-founder and creative director of Plank Hardware.

“And these changes don’t need to be significant and costly. It can be as simple as updating the lighting fixtures throughout your home, or refreshing touch points with vintage-inspired hardware – both can help create a cosy atmosphere to better prepare for the autumn season.”

How to decorate your home for autumn

From embracing autumnal hues, to layering up and creating a comfy space to hunker down in, we spoke to the interior experts for their tips on transitioning your home from summer to autumn.

Infuse autumnal colours

We know how important it is to connect with nature whenever possible, so while the outside world is turning yellow, orange and brown, why not channel similar vibes in your home?

“Cosy autumn home decor is all about finding colours that make you feel calm and comfy, though, so opt for muted shades like terracotta oranges, burnt yellows and beige browns to create a more soothing space,” explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.

If you’re looking for an autumn hue that’s a little different, interior designer Matthew Williamson suggests going for an earthy pink.

“I am using a soft plaster pink on the walls at home at the moment as it feels like a new neutral,” he explains. “It’s warmer than grey and more interesting than beige.”

This autumn, Matthew also plans to invest in accessories such as velvet cushions and printed bed throws in rich chocolate, cinnamon and burnt orange tones.

“This palette will work well against the soft pink and add warmth to my bedroom and lounge as we hunker down and head towards winter,” he adds.  

Nature-inspired lighting 

Accent lighting is key to creating a cosy atmosphere as we move into the shorter and darker days of autumn. 

“While home lighting is often a practical consideration, introducing design-led pieces can transform the overall design of your home,” advises Tom.

“More people are now opting for statement lighting designs with deep, autumnal finishes, such as rust red and khaki green, or dark stained oak to bring a calming, earthy touch to their spaces.” 

Tom adds: “Lighting plays a crucial role in creating an inviting and functional living space during the darker seasons. This year, we’re seeing a trend toward nature-inspired lighting, with an emphasis on rounded silhouettes.”

Add in natural materials

Warm, wooden hardware can add a touch of organic charm and subtle contrast against deeper shades of autumn hues, particularly brown.

“The two pair well together by adding depth and character to any design,” explains Tom. “By incorporating natural wooden pieces, you can soften the overall look of your space while also bringing warmth and texture to create an inviting environment.” 

Play with textured fabrics and layering

As the weather becomes much cooler during autumn, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend more time indoors where you can stay warm so it’s important that you create a space that is both snug and inviting.

“Layering is a simple yet effective way of adding warmth and dimension into your home,” Tom says.

“Layered beds and sofas are hugely popular as they provide loads of texture and a cosy, organic feel. Think blankets, knitted throws, bouclé cushions and rugs.”

Tom suggests opting for items with different textures such as jute rugs and baskets made from natural fibres like hemp and playful patterns like geometric stripes. 

Create an autumnal display

“As the leaves transform into a kaleidoscope of hues, it’s time to shake things up and create a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the spirit of autumn,” says interior designer Amanda Foster of Foster Decor.

She suggests ditching the traditional in favour of a more dramatic foliage – this can help to really ramp up the overall look of your autumn home decor.

“Think deep burgundy eucalyptus or bold, colourful branches,” she says.

“Create a striking centrrpiece by placing these beauties in a vibrant vase—maybe even a neon colour for a fun twist! Let nature’s palette inspire your decor and make a statement.”

As well as turning to nature to put together a centrepiece Amanda also suggests creating a fruit explosion.  

“Use vivid apples and pears in eye-catching colours to create a stunning display,” she says.

“Stack them in a funky bowl or arrange them on a colourful platter. Not only do they look fabulous, but they also add a deliciously fresh scent to your space!”

Go bold with art

Wall art is an ideal way streamline your home from summer to autumn.

“Unlike large pieces of furniture and permanent fixtures, wall art is easily interchangeable throughout the year, allowing for fluid transitions that keep a space feeling fresh and dynamic,” explains Annica Wallin, creative director of Scandinavian wall art brand, Desenio. 

Forget the usual autumn prints and instead opt for bold, abstract art that captures the essence of the season.

“Look for pieces that feature vibrant colours and dynamic shapes,” Amanda suggests. “Hang them in unexpected places, like above your fireplace or in the hallway, to create an eye-catching focal point.”

Another easy trick to transition art is by reframing existing prints with richer, darker wood frames or even ones with gold accents that resonate with autumn’s warmth.

“This will evoke the feelings of comfort and introspection often associated with the season,” Annica continues.

“By using these thoughtful changes, you can seamlessly transition your wall art from summer’s vibrancy to autumn’s inviting cosiness, creating a home that reflects the natural beauty of the changing season.”

Finish with candles and lovely scents

When creating your autumn inspired home, don’t forget about the finishing touches.

“Candles create a glowing ambience that’s hard to beat with alternative lighting and can be placed around your bedroom to set the mood for a peaceful slumber,” Melissa explains.

“When it comes to scents for autumn, look out for cinnamon, vanilla, pumpkin and sandalwood – all of which conjure up a homely seasonal atmosphere.”

If you don’t want to burn candles in your bedroom, Melissa says you can still achieve the same aromas with plug-in diffusers or natural reeds in your chosen fragrances.

Switch on the cosy

The key to creating a cosy living room is a few strategically placed lamps, particularly as the evenings get darker.

“Traditional side lamps with covered fabric shades always look classic,” advises Melissa.

“Coloured glass bases are popular right now and work especially well in rust or amber tones. But if you want something a bit different, you could try a salt lamp as they add a gorgeous warm glow.”

As well as amping up the lighting you could also consider switching your light bulbs for something altogether cosier.

“A really simple switch you can make to get your home ready for cosy season is switching any white lights for warm-toned LED bulbs,” advises Marlena Kaminska, designer at ValueLights.

“Warm light bulbs bathe the room in a yellow hue, giving it a charming cottage-core look which will brighten up any gloomy, autumn morning,” she adds.

Incorporate seasonal pattern

Whilst this summer was all about striking and geometric patterns, autumnal interiors lean into more refined patterns, such as a gorgeous gingham or classic stripe.

“These dainty designs are an easy way to shift from playful summer vibes to a more refined, autumnal ambiance,” advises Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys.

Use cushions for change

Sophie Clemson, director and co-founder of The Living House says one simple way to get your home autumn ready without having a full makeover is to bring in new cushions.

“Instead of buying completely new cushions, opt for cushion covers instead,” she says. “You can simply swap these over from your current ones and reuse the inner pads. Look for cushions with earthy tones such as terracottas, greens, and warm neutrals.

“Add in extra throws so you can be all snug and get some beautiful scented candles ready for the darker evenings,” she adds.

Switch up the layout

Creating a cosy atmosphere in your room can easily be achieved by creating a cosy focal point, and typically your bed is a great place to start.

“Placing your bed against a wall will create a snug, cocoon-like feeling, whilst also maximising space in your bedroom,” explains Jonathan Warren, bed specialist and director at Time4Sleep.

“Implementing a few small touches like this can really transform the ambience of a room, creating a cosy home, perfect for autumn.”

Keep it simple

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If you want to add a hint of autumn in your home there’s no need to completely overhaul your decor.

“Sometimes it’s as simple as switching out a lampshade for one with more autumnal tones, like mustards or rust red, to add warmth to your space,” says Antoni Roig, Interior Designer at OKA.  

“Even simply reshuffling an armchair you already have to a new position, or switching art pieces and mirrors between rooms can make all the difference.

“Transitioning from summer to autumn is about selecting pieces that evoke fitting sensations – for example, a cosy throw might automatically make you think of snuggling down and watching a film.”

To make the transition between seasons a little gentler, Antoni suggests identifying what materials give you the warm look that you want to include in your autumn home decor.

“It doesn’t have to be streamlined colour; whether it’s a linen, silk or a sumptuous velvet – any of these finishes can make a huge difference to how your home feels.”

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Looking for more on autumn home decor? Check out these these autumn decorating tips for your front porch.