Simple Ways to Make Your Home Feel Like Fall

There’s something about fall that makes me want to be home. Maybe it’s the cooler evenings, football on the TV, the leaves starting to change or knowing that fireplace season is right around the corner. Fall is one of those seasons when our homes naturally become gathering places again. 

And while I love a beautiful fall home, I don’t think you need to buy 25 new pumpkins or completely redecorate your house to make it feel warm and welcoming. A few simple changes can make a big difference.

Start at the Front Door

Your front porch is the first thing guests and you see when you arrive home. A couple of mums, a few pumpkins and a fresh doormat can instantly change the look of your entrance. Tip: I have a few faux pumpkins that are fun and then I add in a real one.

And remember, fall curb appeal isn't just about decorating. Sweep the porch, clean the front door, trim anything that became a little unruly over the summer and put away the tired summer planters. Simple is often better.

Bring the Outside In

One of my favorite things about fall decorating is that some of the best décor is free. Some like to clip a few branches from the yard and put them in a large vase. Fill a bowl with apples, mini pumpkins, pinecones, acorns or greenery on your dining room table. Pick up a few seasonal flowers at the grocery store - love Trader Joes this time of year! You don’t have to overthink it.

Add a Little Cozy

This might be the easiest fall update of all. Swap out a few lightweight summer pillows for something with a little more texture. Pull out the throw blankets. Add warmer colors like rust, navy, camel, deep green or burgundy. You don't need to change the entire room. Two pillows and a throw can completely change how a space feels.

Don't Forget the Fireplace

You know I love a wood-burning fireplace! Just ordered a cord of firewood this week. 

Before you light that first fire of the season, however, make sure your fireplace and chimney are ready. Schedule your chimney cleaning or inspection if you haven't already. This is really important!

Then bring out the basket of firewood, blankets and your favorite chair. Now we're talking.

Get Ready for People

Fall also means we’re heading into the season of football gatherings, Halloween, Thanksgiving and guests visiting. Take a quick look around the spaces your guests will use. Is there somewhere to hang coats? Does the guest bathroom need fresh towels? Could the entryway use a little decluttering? Is the guest room ready for an overnight visitor? Sometimes preparing your home for fall is less about decorating and more about making it comfortable for the people who walk through the door.

Use What You Already Have

This may be my favorite tip. Pull out the good dishes. Use your grandmother's serving bowl. Frame an old family photo or a favorite holiday photo. Fill it with blankets. Repurpose a pitcher as a vase. A home doesn't need to look like a catalog to feel special. In fact, I think the best homes are the ones that tell a story about the people who live there. I set up a table for a puzzle or a Mahjong game that I plan to leave out throughout the season. Just makes me happy and I am learning the game which has been fun!

Make Home the Place You Want to Be

You don't have to do it all. Pick a few things that make your home feel like fall. Light the candle. Buy the mums. Put the cozy blanket back on the sofa. Clean the fireplace. Invite friends over for football. Sit outside while we still have those beautiful Maryland fall evenings.

Because at the end of the day, creating a home you love isn't really about decorating. It's about creating a place where you want to spend your time and where the people you love want to gather.

Happy Fall! Go Dawgs!

Betty