How to Create Cozy Home Decor This Fall and Winter

by Quick and Dirty Tips

Autumn is a great time to switch up your home decor. Celebrate the cooler weather - and get cozy - with these 7 decorating ideas from the Domestic CEO.

Ian Sane // Flickr

Autumn: the air turns crisp, leaves change to crimson and gold, the low sunlight creates beautiful shadows, and the holidays get closer, with promises of hayrides, pumpkins, and fun gatherings. I could go on and on...and I know I'm not the only one who gets excited when I turn my calendar to October!

As we look forward to all the lovely things about this season, I like to change the decor in my home to reflect this time of year. I'm not just talking pumpkins, witches, and skeletons (although those are always fun), but rather of changing things in your home to give it a cozy atmosphere. It's time to put away the bright, vibrant hues of spring and summer, and give way to deeper, warmer tones.

If you've never changed up your decorating style to reflect the season (other than with a few pumpkins or a Christmas tree), let me share 7 of my favorite ways to make my home a comfortable and inviting sanctuary during the colder months:

Catherine // Flickr

Create Some Warmth...Literally!

If you've got a fireplace in your home, it's just about time to start using it. But first, please be sure to have your chimney properly inspected before firing it up for the first time. Besides creosote build-up in the chimney from last winter, birds and critters love to find their way into a chimney flue, so make sure you get the "all clear" before lighting that first log.

For those of you who have a non-working fireplace, using multiple candles in place of an actual fire is always a good option. Or, find a basket that fits the opening of the fireplace, load it with branches (birch branches are my favorite option), and add a battery-operated string of lights interspersed in the logs. Turn on the lights to create a nice glow in the fireplace. If you do have a working fireplace, even if it's a gas model, that same basket of logs next to the hearth will add a glow to the room, too.

meg // Flickr

Throw it On

The fireplace isn't the only source of warmth; I love to toss throws on all my couches and chairs, so that anyone taking a seat can cozy up when the air turns chilly. Rather than the typical afghan that Grandma had on her couch, try a plaid blanket, a furry throw, or even a hand-knitted lap blanket stitched to mimic your favorite winter sweater. All these different textures and styles of throws lend a feeling of warmth to your room, even when you aren't cuddled up beneath one.

You may also want to think about changing the throw pillows on the sofa when autumn rolls around. Choosing deeper colors, burlap textures, and even some knitted pillows can dramatically change the look and feel of the room. This easy change offers a lot of bang for your buck!

If you don't want to spend the money on new pillows, find some slipcovers that work. Or, if you're handy with a sewing machine, stitch up some covers that can be changed with the seasons.

Lia Fagan // Flickr

Use the Light

Another change that's easy to make is swapping out lampshades. Why not trade that boring white lampshade for a burlap option? Burlap is very popular right now, and matches well with the colors of fall and winter. Not a burlap fan? Look for a black lampshade, or even one that's iridescent. Choose a shade that appeals to you, and that works well with the other colors in your home.

Have you ever thought of changing your window treatments with the season? Some may think this is going a bit too far, but it is a nice way to add a different texture or color to a room. If you've got a lighter, airy drapery panel, you may want to switch to something heavier and textured. Not only will it change the feel of your room, but these panels can help insulate your home, as well.

Even something as simple as stringing a garland of leaves or a simple branch across the top of the window makes a big difference in the look of a room, and brings an autumn glow to the indoors.

Kate Ter Haar // Flickr

Fun with Accessories

I like to change out some of my existing home decor accessories at this time of year, too. Look in the garage and gardening shed for things to add to your home, moving bushel baskets, lanterns, potted mums, or garden tins into the house. Load up a bushel basket with pumpkins and gourds. Add lanterns to a stairway, end table, or entryway to add a glimmer of candlelight to your home.

Things like stems of leaves, gourds, pomegranates, pears, and pinecones are also inexpensive options that make a statement. Try a silver bowl of pomegranates at the center of your table, or stack a few pears in a tall, clear, glass cylinder for a modern statement. One simple tree branch with leaves displayed in a plain vase says "autumn," no matter which room you add it to.

If you aren't fond of typical fall colors like orange, crimson, gold, and brown, why not try creamy white, dark green, plum, and cinnamon, instead? Fall and winter home accessories are available in so many different colors this season, so take advantage of the options to try something different; I have 5 different hues of white pumpkins in my own home right now!

JimmyMac210 // Flickr

Set the Scent

Candles are both a nice visual accessory, and an easy way to set the seasonal mood. Choose candle scents that remind you of fall: shop your favorite candle source for scents like cinnamon, pumpkin, nutmeg, balsam, peppermint, and more.

If you aren't a candle fan, simmer a pot of cloves, cinnamon sticks, orange peel, vanilla, and water on your stovetop. These warm, earthy scents give your home a cozy, welcoming feel. For a non-traditional scent that still evokes a feeling of "home," try simmering vanilla, lemon peel, and basil in a pot of water.

liz west // Flickr

Add Some Art...or Just the Frames

Changing your artwork is another way to give a new feeling to your space. If that sounds too overwhelming or pricey, head to the thrift store to look for picture frames with a lot of character.

I look for frames that have ornate detailing, and quite often, these frames are a hideous gold color from decades-old decorating styles. Simply take out the ugly picture, remove the glass, and paint the frame a glossy, new color with spray paint. There are even metallic finish spray paints, if you want to be bold. An empty frame propped on a mantel or a sideboard makes quite a statement when paired with some fall or winter accessories.

Jon Matthies // Flickr

Go DIY

Are some of these ideas just too much for you? Here is a DIY project so simple, anyone can do it: Use clear glass vases or canning jars, add a simple white pillar candle, and fill in the area around the candle with either acorns, tiny pinecones, or even a few oak leaves you picked up in the yard. Use these on the dining table, end tables, or even on the bathroom counter, and your home will have a feeling of fall and winter in just a few quick minutes.

how to create cozy home decor this fall and winter, home decor, how to, seasonal holiday decor

I would love to hear how you create a cozy home for fall and winter. Please connect on the Domestic CEO Twitter or Facebook page to share your awesome decorating tips!

Originally posted here: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/house-home/interior-design/how-to-create-cozy-home-decor-this-fall-and-winter

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6 of 8 comments

Jeanette S on Oct 17, 2015
Thanks for all the tips! I too like to change things up. I did a lot more of that when I was much younger and could move furniture! Ha!

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- Winnie Conners on Oct 17, 2015
  @Jeanette S Hey Jeanette, get some of those things that you put under furniture and you can still move couches, heavy chairs, etc. I am 80 yrs. old and still move my stuff around when the urge hits me!
  
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- Jeanette S on Oct 18, 2015
  @Winnie Conners Fantastic! I have used those in the past and they work really well, but I can no longer lift or push over about 15 lbs...the old ticker won't let me! HA! So I channel my need for being creative into enjoying what others do! The Hometalker folks keep me entertained!
  
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- Amanda Thomas - The Domestic CEO on Nov 03, 2015
  Hi @Jeanette S , glad you enjoyed them! If you want more tips like these, I have plenty more Domestic CEO posts that you might like if you visit http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/domestic-ceo
  
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Linda on Oct 17, 2015
Lucky you! We were still in the 90's here till yesterday when it only got up to 89! I want to live in a 4 season state and have at least 1 White Christmas!!!

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- Gailgailgail on Oct 18, 2015
  @Linda Do it!
  
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