Creating a Cozy Fall Living Room

Out of all the seasons, there is something magical about decorating the home for fall. From thick blankets to glowing candles, pumpkin decor, and a fall wreath, you can create a sense of hygge that will keep you cozy when the nights get cold. As a leading Chicago interior design firm, we are often asked how to do a seasonal home refresh for autumn, specifically in the living room. Here are some of our favorite ways to create that inviting fall-inspired space that you'll love spending time in.

PHOTO CREDIT: POTTERY BARN

Use Traditional Fall Colors

PHOTO CREDIT: Pinterest

Trade the crisp whites, light blues, and yellows of summer for earthy autumnal hues like burnt orange, scarlet, mustard yellow, and caramel. It might even be time to refresh your walls with a new coat of paint, and if so, using one of these colors will create a rich, moody atmosphere that will seamlessly transition to the rest of the year. You can even experiment with a textural paint effect like velvet, which will add dimension. Or, play it safe by sprinkling in touches of fall colors with thoughtful accent pieces, from amber glass vases to throw pillows.

Photo credit: Pinterest

Divide the Room

In the summer, an open plan style living room is ideal. It creates a light, open and airy feel that helps keep you cool and comfortable. However, in the fall and winter, we prefer the opposite. To make a space feel snug, rearrange your furniture so that chairs and tables are closer to each other and to the fireplace (if you have one). Use a room divider, like a vintage folding screen, to make the room appear more intimate. You can also layer rugs to delineate separate areas in the room.

Embrace Soft Textures

PHOTO CREDIT: POTTERY BARN

Dial up the coziness factor in your home with thick, luxurious textures and materials like velvet, faux sheepskin, cashmere, wool, and leather. Layer these in as throw pillows, blankets, and rugs to create warm, soft surroundings wherever you sit. You can even change out your lightweight lampshades for thicker patterned ones that add a cozy glow as well as texture to your space.

Add Ambient Lighting

Lighting is really important in the fall and winter when we don’t have as much natural daylight. We recommend layering lighting with at least three sources in your living room. For example, this might include a standing lamp, table lamps, and overhead lights. Having all three sources will give you options during the day and night. Next, layer in ambient lighting like lanterns, candles, a fireplace, and string lights to transform your living room into a rustic sanctuary.

Set Up a Bar

‘Tis the season of entertaining, so make the most of it by creating your own bar in your living room, like we did in this recent project. You can either set one up on a cabinet with your favorite fall cocktails, or create a spiced cider, coffee or hot chocolate bar for people to help themselves. If you don’t have room for an entire bar in your living room, you can always bring in a bar cart or a tray filled with all the goodies you need to enjoy a seasonal beverage and snacks.

Layer Cozy Fall Scents

If there is one thing that everyone notices when they walk into a home, it’s the scent. A home that smells like pumpkin pie or toasted apples instantly feels like fall. With candles, essential oil diffusers, and room sprays, you can fill the air with the inviting aroma of the season. We also love the smell of a lit fireplace, not to mention the crackling sound - it doesn’t get much cozier!

The living room is a great place to start with your fall decor because it can be enjoyed by everyone, but don’t let it stop there – you can spread the joy of the season throughout the entire home. And, if you’re looking to do a bigger renovation or design project this fall, be sure to get in touch with our Chicago interior designers – we’d be thrilled to help you bring the beauty of autumn into your space.

photo credit: pottery barn