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Fall is one of my favorite times of year to make changes around the house. Not necessarily big changes, but the little things that make a room warmer, more comfortable and a little more inviting.
And while I love seasonal decorations, I’ve never been a fan of filling every available surface with pumpkins, artificial leaves and signs reminding us that it’s fall. We get it. It’s autumn!
This year, some of the biggest interior trends are actually perfect for the season. We are seeing richer colors, more interesting textures, softer lighting and a return to accessories that give a home a personality.
The good news is that you don’t need a major renovation or a designer budget to incorporate one of them. I found some great pieces on Amazon Canada that can help you get started.
1. Moody earth tones: Chocolate is the new black
After years of gray dominating practically everything in our homes, we are finally seeing a return to warmer colors.
Chocolate brown is having a particularly big moment, along with burgundy, burnt rust, terracotta and camel.
What I love about these colors is that they work with so many existing interiors. You don’t have to paint your walls or buy new furniture. A few well-chosen accessories can make a noticeable difference.
Take for example a neutral sofa. Add some chocolate brown pillows and a splash in a rusty tone, and you’ve instantly introduced some depth and warmth.
And unlike bright orange seasonal decor, these colors do not feel out of place in January.
My design tip: When experimenting with a new color, start small. Cushions and pillows are much easier to change than a sofa, and they allow you to introduce a trend without making a big commitment.
A little chocolate brown goes a long way to warming up a neutral sofa. These chenille cushion covers pair a subtly textured weave with a soft velvet backing for an effortless blend of comfort and polish. Layer them with cream cushions and a rust-colored coat for a look that feels perfectly at home in fall—and far beyond.
2. Touchable Textures: Layering Is Everything
One of the easiest ways to make a room more inviting is to introduce texture.
Think chunky knits, bouclé, corduroy, faux fur and woven materials. Individually they’re all beautiful, but it’s when you start combining them that things get interesting.
A chunky knitted throw on a couch with a few textured pillows adds dimension without introducing a whole lot of additional color.
And texture doesn’t have to stop at fabrics.
I like to incorporate living materials through lighting and accessories. A rattan lamp, for example, brings a completely different texture to the room, and still feels connected to the rest of the design.
The mistake I often see is that people try to fit everything. The cushions match the throw, which matches the rug, which matches absolutely everything else.
That’s not layers. That’s a fitting set!
Design tip: Work in a similar color palette, but match your materials. A little contrast in texture goes a long way to making a room feel more presentable.
This is the kind of blow that makes you cancel your plans and settle down on the couch. The chunky knit brings texture, while the rich brown shade adds warmth without competing with the rest of your decor. Drape it over an armchair or over the foot of a bed. It is also machine washable.
3. Sculptural Lighting: Goodbye, Big Light!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Not every room needs to be lit like an operating room.
Lighting can completely change the way a room feels, but it’s often one of the last things people consider when decorating.
One trend I particularly enjoy is sculptural lighting. We see lamps with rounded silhouettes, interesting proportions and shapes that almost make them look like small pieces of art.
Mushroom lights are a great example.
They’re simple, they’re playful, and they look just as interesting when they’re off.
For fall, I especially love using smaller lights around the house instead of relying entirely on overhead lighting. A lamp on a console, another one next to the couch and perhaps accent lighting on a bookshelf can create a much more comfortable atmosphere.
My design tip: Pay attention to the color temperature of your bulbs. Warm lighting generally makes living spaces more relaxing and inviting, especially as the days get shorter.
Consider this a bit of mood lighting with a lot of personality. A glossy, hand-blown glass shade and metal base give this mushroom lamp its sculptural silhouette, while the warm glow helps to soften a room after darkness. Pop it on a console, bedside table or bookshelf – it’s just as charming when turned off.
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4. Organic Arrangements: Bring the outdoors in
Fall arrangements don’t have to involve bright orange leaves and artificial sunflowers.
In fact, I think some of the most beautiful seasonal arrangements are the simplest.
We see lots of oversized branches, dried grasses, eucalyptus and natural materials used in a much more architectural way.
Rather than filling a room with small arrangements, I prefer to create one essential focal point.
A large ceramic vase with some dramatic branches can be incredibly effective on a dining table, console or entryway.
I also love that these arrangements don’t have to disappear as soon as fall is over. Switch out a few branches or stems and the same vase can work beautifully through winter and into spring.
My design tip: Don’t underestimate the negative space. You don’t need to fill every inch of a vase with greenery. Sometimes a few branches with interesting shapes create a much stronger composition.
A few well-placed branches can make more of an impact than a table full of seasonal decorations. These faux stems feature silk leaves and wire-supported branches that you can bend or trim to fit your vase. Keep the arrangement loose and airy for an easy focal point on a dining table or entry console. No watering required.
5. Collected, uncoordinated: Vintage inspired decor
One trend that I am particularly happy to see is the movement of interiors, where everything looks completely new and perfectly coordinated.
A home should have a personality. It should feel as if the people who live there have collected things they love over time.
That doesn’t mean that every piece has to be antique or that you have to spend your weekend scouring vintage shops.
Although, personally, I wouldn’t mind!
Vintage inspired accessories are a great way to introduce that sense of character.
I love old brass, amber glass, decorative boxes and interesting picture frames. They are small details, but they can make a room more personal.
These brass candlesticks are a perfect example. The different heights create visual interest, and the finish gives them a slightly aged appearance.
Use it on a dining table, a mantel or even a console next to some books and framed photos.
And please don’t feel like everything has to match.
My design tip: Mix newer accessories with things you already own. An old photo, something inherited from a family member or a piece you picked up while traveling will always make a room more interesting than a perfectly coordinated collection.
These metal candlesticks bring a little vintage character to the table without requiring a trip to an antique shop. The antique brass-style finish adds warmth, while three graduated heights make a grouped arrangement feel more interesting. Pair them with taper candles on a mantel or dining table, or separate them under books and framed photos.
A few small changes can make a big difference
One thing I always tell people is that good design doesn’t necessarily mean buying more stuff.
Sometimes it’s about looking at what you already have and figuring out how to make it work better.
Maybe your living room just needs some new throw pillows. Maybe the lighting in your bedroom was never quite right. Or maybe that empty corner could benefit from a beautiful vase with some oversized branches.
You certainly don’t need to incorporate all five trends, and you don’t need to change everything at once.
The goal is to create a home that feels comfortable, welcoming and reflects your personality.
And while these trends are particularly good for fall, none of them are limited to the season. That is what they are worth considering.
After all, the best interiors are not the ones that follow every trend. They are the ones who make you happy to come home.
Editor’s note: The photos are illustrative references. The five Amazon links are searches for the products shown in your order screenshots, rather than verified direct product listings.
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