How to Make Your Fall Home Cozy

Sunday, September 22nd was the first OFFICIAL day of fall. In the next few months the leaves start to fall from the trees, the evenings get darker earlier each day, and the temperatures drop significantly. With the changing weather and changing seasons, you probably are thinking about how you can get your home ready for fall and colder weather. We start to crave a snug, cozy spot for winter.

Some home owners switch out curtains or other design elements to reflect the change. What other steps can you take to create a fall home that’s cozy, comfortable, and wonderfully warm and welcoming? The good news is that getting your home ready for shorter and colder days is easy.

Sarah Joy

Below is my guide for adding cozy to my home.

Ensure your home is warm

The last thing that you want is to get into the colder season only to find that your heating system is not working correctly. So, it pays to have your heating system checked over by a heating specialist before the colder weather hits.

Insulated windows are the next step in keeping your space warm and cozy. If you have older wooden windows, make sure that they’re not drafty. If you have sheer summer curtains, consider trading them out for velvet drapes or any heavy curtain with a thermal lining. Besides making a space look warm, they’ll insulate the room from cold air leaking through old windows. Check out my fall home maintenance checklist. There are several ways to remedy drafty windows including window film and re-glazing. Once your windows are tight for winter, then you can add the fun decor to your home.

Start at the entrance 

Add a fall-focused wreath to your front door. A Welcome mat or sign is a wonderful way to invite the visitor to come in. If you are lucky enough to have a porch, make a seating area for enjoying fall’s beauty. Add pumpkins and a sign or other fall decor if it doesn’t block the steps and front door. See Fall Porch Ideas for inspiration.

If you are lucky enough to have a real home entrance, spend some time decorating it with plants and fall elements. Have a spot to remove boots and change into fluffy, warm house slippers. Add a bench or chair with a throw and pillow. Add rustic texture with dried flowers and leaves. The Spruce has a great post, 33 Fall Entryway Decor Ideas. From adding natural elements to making a cozy spot to sit, you can make a welcoming entry. See How to Make a Stylish Entry for more ideas.

Up the coziness vibe 

Another step that you can take to get your home winter ready is to think about how you can increase the coziness vibe of the space. You want your home to look and feel as warm, welcoming and cozy as possible, which is why it pays to add in a few simple updates. Add layers to your space with throws and a change in pillow covers. I have a drawer full of pillow covers that I change seasonally. With a neutral background of the sofa, I totally change the look in the room by adding textures, natural elements, and darker shades of pillow covers.

Add warm throws and rugs to extend the warmth. It’s the little things that can have the biggest impact. Rotate your art and shop your home. Change your bed linen for more warmth. Crisp cotton is great for summer, but flannel or jersey sheets are best for colder nights. Be sure to have a warm blanket at the foot of the bed for unexpected chills. Change your wardrobe to heavier fabrics and add a new warm sweater and a pair of fuzzy slippers.

Accent the fireplace

If your home has a fireplace, highlight it by decorating the mantle area with books, candlesticks, baskets, or even logs from your yard. To top off your display, stage your fireplace mantel with a cluster of fresh flowers and mix in a few hand-painted pumpkins or gourds. Find pieces that work with your style and coordinate with the room. Add one big focal piece, such as a mirror or painting, in the area above the fireplace. This will help draw the eye and pull the room together. Seasonal decorations with some natural elements proclaim it’s fall.

Add in fall accessories

 Add organic elements to every room. Plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables bring so much life to a space. Houseplants are a great addition to the home during fall and winter. Remember how I shared photos every fall of the tropical croton bushes in my yard? They were the closest thing to autumn leaves that I could get here in central Florida. Croton, a perennial with woody stems and roots, features leathery, smooth-edged, oval- or lance-shaped leaves in bright colors. These colors are often combined in patterns involving blotching and striping, and sometimes, the color changes as the plant ages. Native to Malaysia, the Pacific Islands, and northern Australia, crotons are most often grown as houseplants but can be brought outdoors for the summer. In warm climates like Florida, crotons are also planted in home gardens to be enjoyed year-round. I was just reading about keeping crotons as a potted plant. Since I no longer have a yard, maybe I’ll add a croton on the condo balcony. (Please note that all parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets.)

See How to Have Healthy Winter Houseplants for more houseplant ideas. If you have a brown thumb, invest in a couple of quality faux plants. Bring out your pumpkin accessories and make a mulled cider or pumpkin spice latte. In fall you can add a bowl of apples to the table, and add more lighting to fill dark corners with a warm glow. Some of my friends love lighting scented candles. I personally love a stove top fall potpourri to fill my home with the scent of apples and cinnamon cooking.

Make a special spot 

Create a reading spot with adequate lighting and a comfy throw. Next to a fireplace is the classic placement. Or move a small table close to the fireplace for an intimate dinner. Make your favorite soup, light the fire, and enjoy the warmth and companionship. Another idea is a window reading nook with a view of autumn outside. Be sure to have a basket of pillows and throws and encourage guests to help themselves.

In conclusion . . .

From adding a fall-focused wreath to your front door to swapping out more summery accents for those with darker colors and textures, there’s plenty of simple changes to add that comfy, cozy feeling in your home. I’m wishing you a season warm with love and a home to nourish your body and soul.

Photo in above collage via Inspired By Charm

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