Let’s be honest… we don’t get a ton of seasonal effects here in southern California. We see some beautiful trees changing in autumn, especially up in the mountains, but for the most part, we’re living a sunny dream — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
But do you ever feel the “autumn urge” around this time of year? When pumpkin spice madness overrides folks’ sanity and the holidays creep closer? Do you crave to feel like the seasons are changing?
I feel it too, but you know what?
We can decorate our porches just as well in California as they do in Maine!
We can liven up our living rooms with festive fall touches and holiday decor, even if we won’t be having a white Christmas this year — or any other year. It doesn’t take much to get yourself and your family in the spirit.
And you never know, creating a cozy fall vibe in your home might just bring your family closer this year. 🙂
How to Accessorize Your Fall Decor in 5 Steps
It doesn’t make sense to have a summer sofa and a fall sofa. It does make sense to have summer and fall accessories. Here’s how to find the right ones so they work with your existing style and not against it.
Step 1: What’s Your Base Palette?
Take a look at your walls, large furniture, or any focal points like large art or mirrors. You’re not going to change these things from season to season, so this is the base palette you’re working with. What are the main colors?
Step 2: Browse Fall Palettes
Once you have an idea of your base colors, you can start looking at some existing fall palettes. Look at how the colors you already have are being paired with other shades. Design-Seeds is a simple resource I love to suggest for folks doing this on their own. You can search for palettes by your base color, or you can look for your base color in their existing fall palettes.
Step 3: Make a List of Your Replacements
Once you’ve picked a palette, you can start looking for some accessories in the colors you want to incorporate. However, you need to know which existing accessories you want to replace. Here are some options:
- Lamps
- Table trays
- Wall art
- Pillows
- Throw blankets
- Mantel decor
- Flowers or greenery
- Dishware and vases
- And more
Step 4: Start Shopping!
Don’t worry, you can say I made you do it. 😉
Now is when you get to start shopping for your favorite pieces. In my opinion, the best pieces are the ones that look like fall, but can also pull double-duty in other seasons. For example…
- Greens and golds are great for fall but can double for Christmas… if that’s your holiday of celebration 😉
- Oranges are great for fall and can come out again in late spring/summer
- Purples are tricky for fall (see the last palette example above), but if done right you can incorporate them into winter and spring, too
- Leaf/flower-shaped pieces can look like fall and double for spring
Pro tip… keep your receipts! Once you see if the pieces work in your space, you can fully commit to them. ‘Til then, I suggest you love them loosely. 🙂
Step 5: Pull Your Space Together!
Now you can start accessorizing your space. I suggest not over-cluttering any one area. For example, if one table in the room has several accessories, leave the another table clear. When decorating your mantel, try include items of various heights — not equal heights in a row.
Use your best judgment, and remember, nothing is permanent. You can keep moving things around until it feels like home.
Lastly, don’t forget that SCENT is a huge part of our experience. Light up a fall-inspired Yankee Candle or raid Williams-Sonoma’s scented section. Trust me, your home will be transformed!
I hope these tips have helped you feel inspired and confident in your seasonal decorating. I wish you good luck, and the happiest fall. 🙂
