Fall Decorating Ideas to Cozy Up Your Home

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Erin Davis, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Courtesy of Mosaik

Updating your living space can be easier and more affordable than you think. The change in season often inspires change to our indoor living spaces. This is especially true as fall hits us and we turn our attention indoors. There are plenty of simple ways to update the feel of your space that don’t require a lot of time and money. Here are some tips to cozy up your home this fall:

Layer and Texture: Layering and adding texture is an easy way to give a room a cozy feel, just as we would add a scarf or sweater to our wardrobe. Try a new wool rug or animal hide on top of an existing rug or add a handmade blanket or quilt on top of your comforter or duvet and you create an entirely new look. Bring in cozy, textural elements like velvet pillows or a cashmere throw and you add comfort and a touch of luxury to any room. Layering window treatments such as drapery with woven shades adds texture and insulation as well. Natural fiber wallpaper is another interesting way to bring warmth and texture to a space.

Color: Introduce new colors into your palette that reflect the mood of the fall season. This can be with home accessories or a coat of fresh paint. Experiment with grey or navy blue accented with persimmon or tangerine to create an entirely new modern fall palette. If you have a neutral color scheme, try amethysts, indigo, deep reds or bold orange hues to add warmth and richness to your room. These warm, rich tones will evoke comfort year round. Try this method with a new entry rug, hallway runner, or window treatments. For something more permanent, introducing a high contrast color on cabinets, molding or a stair rail makes a high impact design statement that is sophisticated without breaking the bank.

Metallics: Bring in metallic tones to add elegance and a modern feel to your space. Zinc, bronze and pewter toned metals can bring warmth to your home and pick up on many of the beautiful greys that are so popular this year. Metal toned nesting tables can make a wonderful addition if you entertain frequently and if space is at a premium. They can be placed in front of a sofa or chair and then stored away as a single end table when not in use. Lamp bases are another easy way to introduce metal tones. For something more dramatic, a pressed tin panel ceiling treatment is an unexpected way to introduce a metallic color.

Courtesy of Mosaik

Fireplace: If you are looking for a more permanent change, remodeling a fireplace is a great way to freshen up an entire space. Fireplaces tend to be the focal point in a room so even a minor change can make a big statement. Re-painting the wood or brick is an easy, inexpensive way to update the room, while a complete overhaul of the mantle, hearth and firebox will create an even larger impact. Even by changing out what sits on the mantle with something new, it can give the room a whole new feeling for fall. If you have a wood burning firebox, consider converting to a gas fireplace and you will get much more use out of it.

Kitchen: The heart of the home gets its fair share of use in the cooler months. Put away summer dishes, glassware and get organized for family gatherings and entertaining in this area. Organize kitchen clutter by introducing a sleek bulletin board to keep track of kids’ activities and invitations or consider built in cubbies that can double as wine storage or to organize cookbooks. Also, don’t forget to clean your oven to set the stage for amazing comfort foods like casseroles and pot pies.

Courtesy of Mosaik

Lighting: It is more important than ever to have good, appropriately placed lighting in your home because of the shorter days. LED lighting is coming on very strong right now as incandescent lighting will be phased out over the next couple of years. LED “tape” is great for under cabinet task lighting or on top of cabinets in your kitchen to add a soft glow. Add lamps wherever you can--this includes in your kitchen and bathrooms. If you place a lamp or up light in front of a mirror it will bounce the light all around the space.

Erin Davis is owner of Mosaik Design & Remodeling in Portland Oregon. For more information and tips visit mosaikdesign.com or contact her at [email protected].