How to Update Your Space This Autumn: A Guide to Seasonal Interior Transformations
As the days shorten and the air grows crisper, autumn invites us to create warm, inviting spaces that reflect nature's vibrant palette. It’s the perfect opportunity to refresh your interiors, making them cosy and aligned with the changing season. Whether you’re planning a full transformation or simply want to sprinkle in seasonal touches, this time of year offers a wonderful way to connect with the natural world.
Here’s how to create a comforting autumn atmosphere in your home:
Embrace Earthy Tones
Autumn is all about rich, grounding colours that evoke the beauty of nature. Think deep ochres, burnt oranges, and forest greens. These hues can instantly add warmth to any room, creating a sense of tranquility and relaxation. To keep it balanced (and require less DIY-demanding design changes) consider introducing these shades through accent pieces like cushions, throws, lighting, or artwork.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Don’t be afraid to mix and match textures within these colours for a more dynamic look.”
Layering with Texture
As temperatures drop, inviting tactile elements into your home can make it feel snug and welcoming. Chunky knit blankets, soft wool rugs, and velvet cushions are perfect for creating a layered look.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Mixing materials such as linen, wool, and velvet not only adds comfort but also brings visual interest to your space. This technique works wonders in living rooms and bedrooms, where comfort and relaxation is key.”
Bring Nature Indoors
Celebrate the beauty of autumn by accenting your home with natural materials. From dried flowers, tall grasses, and eucalyptus for a contemporary touch, you can forage your own decor, alongside visiting your local garden centres for end-of-season stock. Wooden furniture pieces, like rustic coffee tables and woven baskets, can also amplify the earthy aesthetic, and give you an opportunity to display your favourite seasonal touches.
Sarah’s Top Tip: “ Dried and faux foliage accents can bring a breath of fresh air into your space, whether they’re displayed in vases or as part of a stunning centrepiece."
Upgrade Your Lighting
With the onset of darker evenings, the right lighting is essential for setting a cosy mood. Swap out bright, cool-toned bulbs for warm, ambient lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. Consider investing in statement lighting fixtures, like a stylish pendant light or a brass floor lamp, to elevate your space further and give much-needed lighting as the darker evenings draw in.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Candles are an autumn must-have - place them on your coffee table or mantelpiece for that perfect flicker."
Citrus Bloom Luxury Candle by Sarah Ferreira Interiors
Seasonal Scents and Sensory Details
Autumn isn't just about how your space looks; it’s about how it feels and smells, too. Incorporate fragrances like spiced cinnamon, cloves, or apple and fig through scented candles or diffusers. Enhance sensory experiences with soft furnishings and tactile materials to create a true sanctuary as the weather cools down.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "You can place a simmer pot on the stove or fireplace, to envelop your home in autumnal scents"
Refresh Your Entryway
With the arrival of autumn, it’s a great time to update your entryway with seasonal accessories like scarves and boots. A stylish coat rack and a beautiful basket for shoes can transform this space into a warm welcome to your home. A seasonal wreath on your front door, made from dried leaves or autumnal blooms, also adds a charming touch.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Adding decorative storage baskets can keep everything organised and clutter-free, perfect if you’ve often got muddy boots lurking around!"
Create Cosy Corners for Reading and Relaxing
Autumn encourages us to slow down and relish life’s simple pleasures. Craft yourself a cosy reading nook where you can unwind with a good book and a hot drink.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Choose a comfy chair, drape a soft throw over it, and add a side table for your favourite reads. Don’t forget to add soft, warm lighting to keep the space practical and stylish."
Swap Out Your Soft Furnishings
One of the easiest ways to refresh your home for autumn is by changing your soft furnishings. Replace lightweight summer curtains with heavier fabrics like velvet or wool, which offer both insulation and luxury.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Pull out your higher-tog duvets, invest in a calming pillow spray and beautifully plump pillows, and introduce a chunky knit throw to transform your bedroom into a warm, welcoming retreat from chilly evenings."
Maximise Heat Efficiency
As the cold weather sets in, ensuring your home is energy efficient is key. Simple measures like using draft excluders under doors, sealing windows, and keeping radiators clear can help maintain warmth and reduce energy bills.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "It’s all about those little details that can make a big difference in both comfort and your pocket."
Winter-Proof Your Outdoor Spaces
Don’t forget your outdoor areas as autumn transitions to winter. Adding outdoor heaters or a fire pit can create a lovely gathering spot. Lanterns can also enhance the atmosphere, turning your garden into a welcoming retreat.
Sarah’s Top Tip: "Consider weatherproof furniture and cosy blankets to keep your patio inviting, even in the chill."
Ready to Embrace the Season?
Autumn is the perfect time to turn your home into a sanctuary, embracing cosy textures, earthy tones, and natural elements. Whether you’re making small seasonal changes or embarking on a full-scale transformation, now is the time to refresh your space and reflect the beauty of autumn indoors.
Looking for more personalised advice or help bringing your vision to life? Book a free consultation with Sarah Ferreira Interiors and let’s create an autumn-inspired home that’s uniquely yours.
