Ahh it’s September. No sooner had the 1st of the month hit than my Pinterest and Instagram feeds became awash with autumnal colours and pumpkins. It’s like the whole online world was just waiting for summer to be over so that they could begin the wind-down into the cosy season. Here’s how to merge your decor from summer to autumn with the addition of just a few low-cost accessories that’ll get your home ready for the changing season…
It feels like there’s an unwritten rule that we can’t talk about autumn in August. It’s like mentioning Christmas in July (which happens a lot in the PR world!) But as soon as September hits, we are ON IT. We are SO ready for autumn by then that, even if the weather is still sunny and warm like it is here, we don’t class it as summer anymore. It’s now a glorious autumn day rather than a standard hot summer morning.
But that doesn’t mean that I want to fill my home with pumpkins on the 1st of September. I feel it would be too soon to start decorating for Halloween. Let’s not go overboard with the orange-and-black accessories. And certainly don’t get out your DIY spooky skull cushion just yet!
That said, it IS possible to merge your summer interior with autumn by making a few subtle changes for the coming season. And I know you don’t want to spend a lot of money doing it, so here are some thrifty ways to get an autumnal vibe for less…
ADD COLOUR WITH CUSHIONS
I’ve said it before but that’s no reason not to say it again – cushions make all the difference when it comes to your decor. A simple sofa can be dressed up for any occasion or season with the addition of a few carefully considered cushions.
Cushion covers are such a low-cost decor item and they take up almost no space when they’re not being used, so why not invest in a couple of colourful covers that you change out to suit the season? Go for pastels in the spring, bright patterns in the summer and jewel tones in the winter. But what colour is right for autumn?
I’d opt for mustard yellow at this time of year. It’s reminiscent of harvest gold colours but isn’t overly autumnal. And the key here is to use the texture or pattern of the cushions to give your sofa a cosy vibe. I’d go for a stunning mustard design in a soft velvet fabric – lush.
THROW ON A THROW
Autumn decor is all about layering and textures, so what better way is there to add a cosy vibe to your living room than with a throw? It doesn’t have to be a full-on autumn-leaves orange shade to look autumnal – a grey, oatmeal or even black blanket draped across your sofa will still look cosy.
You see, it’s the texture that’s important, not the colour. If you’ve got a knitted throw or sheepskin rug somewhere in the house, bring it out and pop it over the back of your sofa to add instant cosiness to your previously summer interior.
It doesn’t just look autumnal, it’s practical too. I mean, it’s going to get cooler during those darker September evenings and you probably don’t have your heating on yet. So, pulling a throw over you is the perfect way to stay warm while snuggling on the sofa – it gives you those autumnal feels and, if you think about it, it’s saving you money on your heating bills too!
FOLIAGE NOT FLOWERS
If you’re someone who likes to have a floral display in your living room, the only way to go for autumn styling is to use foliage rather than flowers. Think about how things look in nature this month and take inspiration from that for your decor – the harvest corn, seed heads from spent summer flowers in the garden, and the slightly yellowing leaves on the trees.
All these foliage items will last longer in your home as they’ve already dried out and will therefore continue to look great all season – another money-saving idea compared with fresh, cut flowers. Plus, these colours will coordinate with your new mustard cushions – bonus!
Let me know how you’re styling your home for autumn in the comments below – I’d love to hear what colours and textures you’re planning to introduce over the coming months 🙂
