Home Tips for Embracing Autumn

The arrival of October is bittersweet. As we lament summer’s “expiring contract,” we are reminded to add winter as “coming soon” to our calendar of events. For some this is a welcomed change, and for others, not so much. Here are some home tips for embracing the change in seasons and making your home your personal sanctuary.

Layer Your Home

Winter to me means changing what I wear, obviously, and your home is no different. Thinking about how to dress your home in the winter can be a great visual. Personally, I love layering clothes—start with a fitted crewneck cotton t-shirt, add a henley shirt (or relaxed button-down, long sleeve shirt) next, a Cardigan sweater (or pull-over sweater vest), then a tweed over-sized sports jacket or three-quarter length large patterned wool coat. Add a scarf, dark jeans or polished pants, proper footwear (preferably a low boot or dress shoe) and the look is complete.

The same can be done with your home. Let’s think about your living room. One thing that will transform the look of a room immediately is the area carpet. Consider a rug with rich jewel tones or a thicker texture, perhaps something with pattern and visual drama. Start with a great Pakistan or Turkish carpet, or if contemporary is more your thing, a large, neutral color, woven or braided rug.

Add different accent pillows to the sofa—think texture, darker tones, and large enough so it hugs you back. Then consider your windows by adding draperies to give the room a cozier feel and minimize the chill. lastly, every room needs one great throw blanket, preferably draped over the arm of a lounge chair or sofa.

Update Your Coffee Table

I’m a coffee table romantic and love changing the look from summer to fall with hardier, sturdier greenery like oak leaf branches or other large leaf greens. I love accessorizing with books and every coffee table needs a stack of three or more. I suggest changing the books to topics that mirror the time of year. If you love to cook, perhaps a big book of historic French Chateau kitchens with recipes of stews and roasted vegetables that are perfect winter meals. Or maybe you love down-hill skiing and have a passion for Aspen. Complete the look with a large winter-scented candle to the coffee table for ambiance and self-wellness.

Bedroom Makeover

The bedroom is the perfect space to transition from summer to fall. Start with adding a solid color sheet set like navy, charcoal or another coordinating color. If white bedding is your go-to, consider an off-white or pale gray to mark the change in season. Add an additional textured blanket on top of the sheets or folded at the foot of the bed. If you really want to feel luxurious and pampered, add a feather bed on top of your mattress. A feather bed is dreamy, especially in winter. And if you love a thick cotton towel, consider incorporating a heavy cotton bath robe to your bathroom routine. It’s an autumn essential you won’t forget.