How to Make Your Home Feel Cozy for Fall

Can you believe it’s already the end of October? We’ve had a pretty warm season here so far, but there have been a few days with fall lingering in the air. I am so excited for the chill to stick around so we can huddle up under warm blankets. And so I can finally pull out my cute boots. Priorities, am I right?

Despite the warmth, I am drinking tea and sometimes attempting to wear a sweater or two, but the latter always ends up tossed over the couch. Autumn, please come soon!

Since my favorite time of year is taking its sweet time, I’m doing everything I can to help our home feel like fall. Cozy is definitely an everyday goal, but it’s extra special and important come September or October.

I’ve rounded up my favorite tips for giving your house or apartment that autumnal boost—whether you’re already enjoying the peak leaf season or still waiting for it like me. There’s a lot of content in today’s blog post, and I’m stoked to share it with you. Okay, let’s go!

1 | CREATE AN AUTUMN ROUTINE OR RHYTHM

To bring a fall atmosphere into your home, I recommend creating an autumn routine. It’s a great way to get into the mood, and it helps you dedicate time each day to enjoy fall.

I’m been working on getting into an autumn routine this week. I’m thinking of it as more of a rhythm since I didn’t want it to feel rigid. Mine looks something like this so far:

Morning:

Turn on the diffuser with essential oils to make it smell like fall.
Make and enjoy a mug of tea.
Open the windows for a while, and get to work (mainly blog and newsletter writing).

Afternoon:

Work on Copper Bungalow tasks (writing, photographing, recording Instagram stories).
Go for a walk outside, or look out the windows at the leaves.

Evening:

Dinner time with a candle and fall table linens.
Cozy up on the couch with the hubs. Make use of blankets and cozy lighting (see below for ideas #3 and #5).

A few other ways I incorporate fall into my day are with rhythms such as enjoying some cinnamon lip balm, wearing fall-inspired make-up, browsing fall fashion and decor during a work break, and using fall essential oils on my dryer balls when doing laundry.

The key is to be intentional about enjoying autumn and all it brings. So be sure to take time to enjoy the natural fragrance of fall and a warm drink each day (see tips #6 and #7 further down in this blog post).

2 | SWITCH TO AN AUTUMNAL COLOR PALETTE

The colors you feature in your home can change the mood in an instant. Think about your favorite shades of fall, and pull them into your house during the autumn months to set the mood.

Try rust tones, mossy greens, burn oranges, vibrant mustards and golds, muted browns, and other colors you find in the fall. Cream, tan, and black are also great staples for this time of year.

Our house always has earthy tones in the autumnal range, but it’s nice to intensify it with a few extra pieces and switches. I like to have a few pillow cover options on hand to change things up. The same goes for kitchen linens, bedding, and blankets.

Right now, our house is sporting various shades of autumn. In the living room, I have gold throw pillows paired with our gray couch and a boho cream and black fringy throw. And on the gray chair, I have a gold throw blanket. I got some cute hand towels for the kitchen that are a nice neutral gray-blue with orange-gold wheat printed on them. I also added a throw blanket on our bed in the most amazing copper-gold color. I’m in love!

And, of course, there are lots of different browns and tans from wood and cork elements from our furniture, coasters, baskets, curtains, cork jar tops, placemats, utensils in the kitchen, and so on.

3 | ADD COZY BLANKETS

Speaking of blankets, cue the autumn feels by adding a collection of blankets throughout your space. It’s the best way to instantly add another layer of warmth, plus, it makes your house feel more comfy. Who doesn’t like curling up with a blanket on the couch? (That’s what I’m doing right now haha.)

I like to have different types on hand: lightweight, medium, heavy—as well as various styles and shades: boho, neutral, vibrant. Blankets are key in transforming a space into a fall setting.

Kick off a fall craft session with a DIY fluffy blanket you can make at home. Create this warm and chunky blanket for under $10 for those cozy movie nights and early morning chills. It’s a super versatile blanket that can be made to any size.

My hubby and I use it on the couch and also as an extra blanket on the bed at night. It’s lightweight, yet very warm. Plus, it adds so much texture, and it looks cute in any basket. It would make a great gift if you’re looking for handmade ideas, and you can make it in under 30 minutes.

4 | ADD BASKETS AND NATURAL TEXTURES

Another amazing way to bring fall into your house is with natural textures. I have a basket obsession, no joke, and I always visit the basket isle whenever I go to a store. There are so many options, styles, color tones, etc. And they have an autumn feel since they resemble crunchy leaves, acorns, and other nature finds of fall.

There are round baskets, square ones, random shapes, and everything in between. Baskets with lids, ones that hang, big ones that sit on the floor and make a statement. Baskets also have endless uses. I store extra blankets in them, as well as craft supplies, extra clothes, products for my online shop, kitchen tools, squash, and the list goes on.

I also like bringing in more textures with natural fiber placemats, willow branches in a vase, linen pillowcases and bedding, and our hemp curtains. While I have these year round, during fall, I like to amplify it by pulling in more textures to create a stronger fall symphony around the house.

I’m partial to modern styles, and I love the extra layer that natural textures bring to a space. It brings in an organic feel, which helps balance the simple and sleek look of modern. And it adds just the right touch for this season of the year.

5 | ADD AN AUTUM GLOW

Candles are a great way to set a fall mood. The gentle flicker and warm colors bring the October colors right into the home. I’m partial to 100% natural beeswax candles, and my hubby and I light one almost every evening.

As an alternative, fake candles are a great way to go if you want something you can turn on and safely forget. Also, pets, kiddos, etc.

Another of our favorite ways to set a fall vibe is with a salt lamp. Not only do they have a nice warm glow, but they are also beneficial for your health and home.

Pink Himalayan salt lamps range from orange to rose shades, but you can also find salt lamps in gray colors.

I love the organic texture they add to any room. Plus, they look great in any season, so it’s a great piece to invest in.

6 | BRING THE SCENTS OF FALL INTO YOUR HOME

Smell the spice by diffusing essential oils or boiling fall spices in a pot of water on the stove. You could also bake an apple pie, make apple sauce, or make apple cider. (Sense a theme?) And there’s also candles (as mentioned above) and room sprays.

Cinnamon Stick Infusion

This one is super simple but makes your whole house smell amazing. Just fill a pot with water, add a few cinnamon sticks, and simmer. You can also add a few cloves and a shake or two of pumpkin pie spice. It will infuse autumn into the air and create a cozy atmosphere. Plus, it will help prevent static during those dry, cold days.

Remember: Don’t let the water run out. We suggest setting a timer so you remember to check it periodically. And of course, don’t leave the pot unattended.

Natural Room Spray

Get a small 4-6 ounce glass spritzer bottle, and add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil blend and 1 tablespoon of witch hazel. Fill the bottle the rest of the way with distilled water, screw on the top, and shake. Spray on your furniture, bedding, carpet, towels, curtains, etc. for an instant fall feel.

Remember: Be sure to spray it on a small test area first, just to be safe.

7 | INCORPORATE FALL FLAVORS INTO YOUR DAY

Taste fall with a warm drink in your favorite mug.

Whether you like spiced apple cider, pumpkin spice latte, vanilla chai latte, or a simple tea or coffee, fill your home and taste buds with autumn by enjoying a warm drink in your space.

Be intentional about including some autumn notes for your taste buds each day (see idea #1 above).

We’re sharing a homemade spiced chai latte recipe as part of our first newsletter on Monday. It’s all natural, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Be sure to sign up so you don’t miss out on our weekly bonus ideas and inspiration.

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8 | SEASONAL FALL DECOR

Of course, you can always add seasonal fall decor to your space! Think pumpkins, acorns, leaves, gourds, cornucopias, plaid, fringe—all of your favorite autumn pieces. There are so many great fall DIYs to try, as well as nice options you can buy.

I like to keep my home pretty minimal, but it’s nice to set an autumnal mood with a few key pieces. We only have 2 small baskets with Christmas decorations, and I don’t have any items that are specific to fall since our home is decked out in fall tones year-round.

But I have a few crafty ideas that I want to try out, so stay tuned for some tutorials and inspiration.

9 | WEAR A COZY OUTFIT

The last tip I have for you today is to put on an outfit that feels like autumn. There’s something about breaking into the cold weather clothes.

Try wearing earthy tones, a long shirt, your favorite oversized sweater, and jeans or leggings. Pair it all with warm socks and slippers. Add a pair of earrings or a boho bracelet, and you’re good to go.

I love a good chunky sweater this time of year. Autumn is my favorite season, so I take advantage of my favorite wardrobe collection each day. It puts me in a fall mood and even helps me be more productive since I feel put-together and ready to tackle my day. It makes my home feel extra cozy and warm too.

Now it’s Your Turn

How do you create a cozy fall atmosphere in your home? Be sure to sign up for our Homebody Newsletter for more cozy autumn tips on Monday!

• Sar