A Less Obvious Way to Decorate for Fall
We love Fall. We just don't necessarily want our homes to look like Fall. No offense to the pumpkins, but seasonal decorating doesn't have to mean filling every surface with orange. Instead, we like to create that Fall feeling through things we already love to use in our interiors: warm textures, moody details, candlelight, and objects that feel a little unexpected.
The best seasonal spaces don't necessarily announce the season. They just feel like it. Here are a few ways we bring in the season without going all-out pumpkin patch.
Get a Little Hocus Pocus
Hear us out… we're getting a little Hocus Pocus. Think an evil eye pillow. A stack of old books. Crystals. Tarot cards. A strange little object you found at a vintage shop and can't quite explain. These aren't technically “Fall decor,” and that's exactly why we like them. There's something about the slightly mystical, unexpected, and maybe-a-little-bit-haunted that feels perfectly at home in the Fall.
Instead of adding obvious seasonal decorations, look for pieces that bring a little mystery into the room. An antique object or something that looks like it came straight out of the house from Practical Magic (who saw the second one?!). Something with an interesting story. Something that makes you wonder, wait… what is that?? It's a much more subtle way to bring in the mood of the season and you'll probably want to keep it around long after Halloween is over.
Light a Candle
This one is almost too obvious, but it works every time. There's a reason candles become approximately 47% more appealing the second September hits. They instantly make a space feel warmer, softer, and more intimate. Bonus: no orange pumpkins required.
We love using sculptural candles, vintage candleholders, and earthy, woodsy scents to create that cozy feeling. And because candlelight naturally changes the atmosphere of a room, you don't have to add much else. Sometimes the smallest change has the biggest impact.
Set the Mood
Fall is really about texture more than color.
Orange and brown may be the colors most associated with Fall, especially when it comes to seasonal decor, but there are so many other ways to make a space feel warm and autumnal.
Try mixing unexpected colors with rich textures: a deep burgundy velvet pillow with a faded vintage rug, olive green against warm wood, moody blue with aged brass, or a chunky knit layered over leather.
The key is creating contrast and depth. Think less Fall color palette and more Fall atmosphere.
You don't have to change the entire room. A new throw, a textured pillow, a darker-toned object, or even rearranging a few pieces can shift the feeling of a space without making it look like you went shopping specifically for Fall decor.
Look for Things That Feel Collected
One of our favorite ways to make a space feel seasonal is actually to add things that don't feel seasonal at all. Vintage ceramics. A stack of old books. A funky object. A little brass detail. Something handmade. Something with a little wear and history. These are the pieces that make a room feel collected rather than decorated.
And when the seasons change, you don't necessarily have to swap everything out. Layering in a few pieces with warmth, patina, and character can make a space feel cozier without sacrificing the overall design. Basically: less seasonal aisle, more found over time.
Let Nature Do Some of the Work
When in doubt, bring in something from outside. Branches, dried florals, interesting foliage, or anything organic can bring in a seasonal element without feeling overly decorated. We love pieces that have an imperfect, organic quality. You could decorate with a branch that has an interesting shape, dried grasses that have changed color, or a sculptural piece of wood. They add movement and texture while subtly nodding to the season. And unlike a pumpkin collection, they can work with your space long after October.
The goal isn't to recreate Fall indoors. It's to bring in a little bit of what we love about the season: warmth, texture, and the mood! The best Fall decor doesn't always look like Fall. It just makes you want to light a candle, curl up on the sofa, and stay home for a while.
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Studio Shaolin is an award-winning interior design studio based in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. Founder Shaolin Low is a third-generation designer featured in Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, House Beautiful, and Magnolia Network's Home in Hawaii.