There's a chill in the air nudging you indoors and a busy holiday season on the horizon — it must be fall! Autumn is the optimal time to refresh your living space and embrace the months to come. Whether you're welcoming friends to your independent living apartment or curling up with a book for the night, you can create an inviting environment with a few interior design tweaks.
In this article, we'll explore ways to usher in the fall and winter seasons with color, textures and decorative accents.
Autumn is a chance to introduce fall hues that evoke the changing landscape outdoors. Warm orange is synonymous with fall foliage and makes an instant visual impact in your home. If you're looking for something more subtle, try gold, cranberry and forest green to inspire a seasonal feel. Cream, beige and brown create a calm, earthy environment and work beautifully with crimson accents to give your space a jolly feel. As you transition into the holiday season, swap brown and orange for red, white or silver.
When you've picked a palette that complements your existing decor, incorporate colorful accents into your suite. You can perk up your kitchen area with table linens and ceramics and dress up your bathroom with pretty hand towels. Tuck small floral arrangements, figurines and other seasonal accents throughout your living room and bedroom.
There's something about plush fleece, brushed wool and luxurious faux fur that beckons you to curl up and relax. Blankets are the easiest way to add these enticing textures to your home, offering style and function. Drape a cuddly throw on the back of your sofa for the nights you want to fend off the chill, or arrange a basket full of fluffy blankets next to your recliner so you can wrap yourself up when watching TV.
Throw cushions also come in a variety of textures. Thick, chunky knit pillows are reminiscent of a comfy sweater and make a cheerful addition to a sofa. You can pile cuddly Sherpa pillows on your bed to dial up the coziness factor. Cushion covers are easy to store so you can switch out the look of your decor throughout the year.
For an effortless way to mark the change of seasons, give your entryway a makeover with a charming doormat and hanging wreath. You'll create a joyful scene for other residents to enjoy, and guests will feel welcome when they stop by for board game night.
Embrace your personality as you shop for the right accent pieces. You can go the simple and sophisticated route when picking a doormat and try an elegant pattern of autumn leaves or falling snowflakes. Mats that feature sayings such as "Hey There, Pumpkin" or "Let It Snow" are friendly and upbeat. You can also show your sense of humor and lay down a mat with a funny image, such as a melting snowman.
Wreaths can showcase a variety of seasonal materials, such as sunflowers, leaves, berries, burlap, ribbon and greenery. For a more thematic look, opt for an arrangement with decorative elements like pumpkins, Halloween ghosts, snowmen, bells or Santas.
For a decorative touch that doesn't take up much space, place a pot of chrysanthemums on your kitchen or living room table. Mums are a fall classic and available in a range of autumnal colors, such as golden yellow, tangerine orange and deep burgundy. Purchase a potted plant from a nursery near your senior living community and enjoy the blooms through the fall, or opt for cut blossoms displayed in a ceramic vase. For a rustic touch, drape a small plaid blanket on a table and arrange small pumpkins or gourds around the flowers.
Floral arrangements don't have to be the focal point of your room. You can create smaller displays by placing a few cut mums in small jars or glass containers. Tuck the little vases on your bedside table, in your bathroom and beside your kitchen sink for instant cheer.
Other seasonal floral choices include sunflowers, which are available until early fall, and poinsettias, the go-to during the holiday season.
Rustic touches evoke the feel of a homey cabin by the lake. Create your own rural retreat by adding materials with an organic, rough look to your home. Try wooden signs with sayings such as "Happy Fall Y’All" or "Hello Winter" propped on a shelf or hung on the wall. Coasters made from round slices of wood are perfect to slide under steaming mugs of cocoa. Woven baskets also create a cozy feel, especially when filled with bright red apples or a variety of small gourds.
The next time you’re out for a stroll near our independent living community, collect some fall leaves, pine cones and twigs. You can also buy faux acorns, branches and other decorative items at craft or dollar stores. Pile your treasures into a glass container or vase for an easy DIY display, and wrap twine or jute around the glass for a finishing touch.
