Goodbye blue skies and sunshine, hello fallen leaves and cosy evenings. As the days get shorter and the outside temperature begins to drop, our homes naturally call for warmer and more inviting soft furnishings. Think woolen throws, woven rugs, heavier curtains, and plump cushions that you can sink into as the day turns to night…
But you don’t need to completely change your interiors as soon as the first signs of autumn appear. In fact, it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference. A pop of pattern here and some richer colours there, and you’ve got the perfect autumn home decor.
Below, our interior designer Tania shares her room-by-room guide to help you transition your soft furnishings for the colder months.
Our autumn decorating ideas: soft furnishings edition
Create a cosy living room scheme
Your living room is often the easiest place to begin, as you can easily change the soft furnishings without altering the structure of the room. During summer, you may have favoured lightweight cottons, linen, and lighter colours. But as autumn arrives, introduce some fabrics with more texture and weight.
Here’s how to get started:
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Bring in deeper versions of the colours already in your room e.g. swap your moss green cushions for a darker lichen version.
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Layer additional cushions in richer textures such as velvet or textured weaves.
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Add a larger wool throw over the arm of your sofa or armchair for those colder evenings.
Tania’s top tip: You don’t need to remove every trace of summer. Keep one or two lighter toned cushions or fabrics amongst the richer autumnal colours to prevent the scheme from looking flat.
Wrap your bedroom in warmth
As the overnight temperatures begin to plummet, our bedrooms can feel much colder and less inviting. Now is the perfect time to add some seasonal layering, to help keep you toasty and warm as darkness falls.
Here are some simple changes to make to your bedroom:
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Add another layer to your bed. A quilt is perfect for this, bringing both warmth and visual interest.
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Introduce some autumn scatter cushions in warmer shades like peach or ochre.
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Hang heavier autumn curtains (lined or interlined) to keep the heat in on colder nights.
Tania’s top tip: Our made to measure quilts are reversible. When you order one, choose a summery tone for one side and a warmer winter tone for the other. That way, you can just turn it over when the seasons change.
Make your dining room more inviting
As we move towards autumn, our meals tend to become much longer and cosier occasions. We swap summer salads for hot hearty dishes like chilli con carne, casseroles, and roast dinners. By making a few simple changes, you can turn your dining room into a space where everyone wants to linger for longer.
You could try:
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Laying a fabric table runner in a richer seasonal colour, like damson, moss green, or cornflower.
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Adding some cloth napkins in complementary colour tones.
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Tying some cushions onto your dining chairs for extra comfort during long dinners.
Tania’s top tip: Choose a runner in a nature-inspired design, then pick out one of the colours for your napkins. You can order up to five free samples to see how the combinations look before committing.
Welcome autumn into your hallway
We often forget about our hallway when changing interiors for the seasons, but this space is key to setting the tone for the rest of your house. It’s the first room you see when you come in from the cold, so it deserves a little warmth too.
Make your hallway feel more welcoming by:
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Introducing a runner up your stairs to add warmth and colour underfoot.
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Scattering some upholstered cushions on your plain hallway bench.
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Swapping your hall table lampshade for one in a warmer colourway to create a softer glow.
Tania’s top tip: During autumn and winter, our coats, boots, and winter accessories come back into use. Make sure you choose durable materials that can cope with increased use, like our plain linen union fabrics.
Our five favourite fabrics for autumn
Berries and Leaves
Why:
Showcases ripening berries and trailing leaves that bring the autumn hedgerow indoors.
Top colourways:
Ochre & Smoke or Soft Peach & Smoke.
Best for:
Curtains or a table runner in your living or dining space.
Little Fern
Why:
A smaller fern print that adds autumn colour to your space without overwhelming the room.
Top colourways:
Ochre, Tomato, Peach, or Lichen.
Best for:
Cushions or lampshades where you want to bring in subtle pattern.
Lattice Leaf
Why:
A delicate trellis of leaves that sits beautifully alongside your other floral and plain fabrics.
Top colourways:
Ochre & Lichen or Moss & Cornflower.
Best for:
Cosy made to measure quilts or headboards for your bedroom.
Woodland Walk
Why:
Beautiful deep woodland greens that make your room feel grounded and restful.
Top colourways:
Moss or Field Green.
Best for:
Comfy armchairs or footstools in your living room.
Acorn and Leaf
Why:
Brings an autumn motif to your space in a way that is easy to live with.
Top colourways:
Best for:
Made to measure scatter cushions or lampshades in cosier spaces.
Need help with your autumn interior scheme?
If you’re still not sure where to start, you’re very welcome to book a free virtual design consultation with Tania. During a 30-minute WhatsApp call, you can talk Tania through your ideas and she’ll present you with some fabric recommendations that will sit beautifully in your space.
Book your slot today to begin your autumn home makeover.
FAQs
When should I change my soft furnishings for autumn?
Most people change their soft furnishings for autumn between late September and mid-October when the evenings start to draw in. The clocks going back at the end of October is an ideal reminder to bring out your heavier throws and warmer cushions.
What colours are best for autumn interiors?
Instead of choosing entirely different colours for autumn, we recommend swapping for deeper versions of the colours you already have. For example, you could introduce damson alongside raspberry, or lichen alongside moss green, with warm accents like peach and ochre.
Are lined curtains warmer than unlined curtains?
Yes, lined curtains are warmer than unlined curtains. Lining adds an extra layer between the room and the window, with interlining adding even more fabric. Both help to keep the heat in and draughts out on cold autumn and winter evenings.