The Ultimate Guide to Autumn Decorating: Our Designer's Tips
As autumn arrives, and days grow shorter and cooler, it's the perfect time to cosy up our homes. Interior wish lists start filling with more lighting, warm blankets, and a sumptuous sofa to sink into. With that in mind, we’re delighted to welcome a new member to our Home Store team. Perhaps you’ve already met Charlotte, our in-store designer, who has a particular fondness for autumn and is eager to help you bring the season's warmth and comfort into your home. In our latest blog, we’ve asked Charlotte to share her top tips for creating inviting spaces perfect for those chilly days and nights, helping you turn your home into a hibernation haven.
1. Add Warmth Through a New Accent Colour
When it comes to capturing the essence of autumn, subtle seasonal updates can make a significant impact, especially with colour. Bringing in a few new accent hues not only refreshes a space but also gives it a warm, autumnal glow. Consider swapping out pastel-coloured cushions or throws for rich, earthy shades like rust, deep brown, and ochre. These colours beautifully complement a range of popular sofa shades, including greens, greys, and neutrals. In our store, we have set up a few examples to show how these autumnal colours can add warmth and style to your home.
Charlotte's Favourite: Hand Block Printed Saffron Cushion – This cushion adds a touch of artisan charm with its beautiful hand-printed pattern, while its deep saffron hue embodies the essence of autumn.
2.Bring in Textures to Elevate Comfort
Autumn calls for more than just visual warmth; it demands textures that invite you to sink in and relax. Think of combining a mix of soft, cosy fabrics with sturdier, tactile materials to create a balanced yet snug atmosphere. Velvet cushions paired with a textured linen throw or a chunky wool blanket add a layered effect that's both inviting and stylish. We’ve recently stocked up on a range of throws and blankets in various colours, sizes, and textures, from soft recycled cotton to heavier wool. One of our standout options is the Recycled Cotton Leaf-Print Throw, available in four unique autumnal shades. Mixing a few of these or pairing them with a contrasting texture, like the moss-stitch throw, brings depth and comfort to any seating area.
Charlotte’s Favourite: Moss Stitch Cotton Throw – With its dense, chunky knit, this throw adds an element of cosiness and can be draped over any armchair or sofa for a touch of seasonal charm.
3.Turn Down the Lights to Set the Mood
Lighting is one of the most effective tools for creating a cosy ambiance, particularly as the days get shorter. Instead of relying on a single, harsh overhead light, try layering your lighting to build a warm and inviting glow. A combination of wall lamps, table lamps, and floor lamps allows you to create a softer, more intimate setting, ideal for unwinding in the evenings. We currently have a fabulous selection in-store, from chunky stone-effect lamp bases in natural tones to sculptural bronze pieces and delicate glass options. If you’re struggling to picture the scale of fittings, our light room, where we display a variety of pendant fittings, has many options for you to explore. Charlotte would be happy to guide you through designing a lighting scheme tailored to your home.
Charlotte's Favourite: Avisa Mango Wood Floor Lamp – This floor lamp adds a rustic touch with its mango wood base, while its design fits seamlessly into both modern and classic interiors. It’s perfect for adding a hint of warmth to those dim autumn evenings.
4.Consider Practicality for Seasonal Needs
Autumn and winter often mean spending more time indoors, so it’s worth reviewing whether your current furniture and layout still meet your needs. Is there enough storage for your hobbies or extra blankets? Could your room benefit from a side table to keep hot drinks and snacks within reach? Maybe you’d love a new bookcase to house the novels on your winter reading list. When you first enter our store, you’ll find an array of sideboards, side tables, and consoles that can be delivered directly to your home, offering both function and style to elevate your space.
Charlotte’s Favourite: Rowico Bowood Glass Door Sideboard – This sideboard provides a chic, practical storage solution, with its glass doors allowing you to showcase beautiful books or treasured items while keeping everything tidy and accessible.
5.Enhance the Seasonal Scent of Your Space
One often-overlooked way to enhance your home's seasonal vibe is through scent. Introducing autumnal fragrances, such as cinnamon, cedarwood, or spiced orange, can make your space feel instantly welcoming and warm. Scented candles and essential oil diffusers can add a rich, sensory layer that makes autumn nights in feel even more special. In-store, we have a selection of candles and diffusers with fragrances specially curated for the cooler months. Charlotte recommends grouping a few candles together on a tray to create a warm, flickering focal point that enhances the cosy feel of your room.
Charlotte's Favourite: Orange & Cinnamon – This candle fills the room with the essence of a cosy autumn evening.
6.Create a Reading Nook or Cosy Corner
If you love curling up with a good book, consider transforming a corner of your living room or bedroom into a dedicated reading nook. This can be as simple as adding a comfortable armchair, a throw, and a small side table for a cup of tea or a candle. Incorporate a floor or table lamp with a warm bulb to create a focused yet gentle glow perfect for reading. Adding a few cushions in autumn colours completes the look and makes this corner the ideal spot to unwind after a long day. We have several beautiful armchairs and accent chairs in-store, as well as a range of stylish side tables that would fit perfectly in a reading nook.
Charlotte’s Favourite: Viola Velvet Armchair – Upholstered in a plush, deep-toned velvet, this armchair offers both style and comfort.
7.Don’t Forget the Entrance
Finally, as we transition into the colder months, give some thought to your hallway. This often-overlooked area can be a practical, stylish space that welcomes you home on chilly days. Consider adding a storage bench with baskets for gloves, scarves, and hats, or a decorative coat rack for easy access to your autumn outerwear. A soft rug or runner can also add warmth underfoot, while a console table with a small tray or dish keeps keys and other essentials organised. By adding these functional yet stylish items, your entryway will be ready for autumn and winter while setting a cosy tone for the rest of your home.
Charlotte’s Favourite: Terrazza Rug in Brick – This rug adds a warm, textural element to your hallway, making the space feel inviting from the moment you step through the door.
Let your home reflect the changing season by embracing warm tones, layered textures, practical touches, and a cosy ambiance. With Charlotte’s design expertise and our carefully selected pieces, you’ll find everything you need in-store to create a space perfect for hibernating over the coming months.
If you’d like to speak to us about any of our bespoke interior design services please call the home store on 01872 888538 or pop in to see us at Princess Chula House, City Rd Truro TR1 2 JL. We're here to help turn your vision into reality!
