7 easy ways to transition your home decor from summer to fall

Summer begins to fade in August, and while it’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to our short season of warm temperatures, something is comforting and luxurious about the fall and nesting in our homes once again. August is the perfect time to trade in your summer-appropriate decor, fabrics and colours for the cosy ambience of fall. Here are some late-summer decor ideas to help you transition into the coming cooler months.

Set up a backyard firepit

Just because it’s cooler outside, doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the outdoors. A firepit will keep you warm enough to take advantage of your backyard well into the fall. With several options and varying price points, a stand-alone firepit is easy to set up and maintain. All you have to do is add a few chairs around the pit, and it can remain a cosy entertaining spot for hot cider or roasting marshmallows with the family.

Transition your front porch

If you have a front porch or terrace, optimize the space for the fall season by swapping out your summer plants for fall-friendly (and hardy) Chrysanthemums, Helenium or Pansies. Since the season is so short, the easiest way to get the most mileage out of your fall plants is to plant them in pots that you can scatter on your porch (with the addition of gourds or pumpkins to drive the theme of fall home). The colour and texture will add a beautiful vibrancy to your area. Layer cosy blankets and pillows on chairs and couches for that extra comfortable touch.

Layer textures and elements

Layering textures and fall-inspired elements is vital in bringing that sense of warmth into your home. Adding a plaid or wool blanket at the foot of your bed, throwing blankets on the couch, a stack of logs by the fireplace, or scattering small tealights in glass votives and Mason jars – all lend the right amount of warmth without being too excessive.

Swap fabrics

Switching out summer kinds of cotton and linens for knits, velvets and other softer materials on pillowcases, throw blankets, rugs and draperies is easy to transition your furniture for the fall season.

Incorporate fall foliage

Source your backyard for branches and leaves to arrange a bouquet much like you would with flowers. Arrange branches, dried grasses, moss and anything you can find. The key to setting leaves is to group them by size and colour. Fiery red maple makes a beautiful focal point when countered with something such as redwood or pine branches with pinecones. For more, scatter small pumpkins, gourds, faux apples and pears on your dining table. These natural touches harken to the cooler season, and they are also affordable.

Line your front door steps

Fall also means guests, family and get-togethers. Get your front steps ready for fall entertaining with planted mums. There’s a reason you see so many mums this season – they last. (Once buds open, you will have blooms whether you display them in sun or shade.) Pair with Mexican sage and boxwoods and mix in a few lanterns to add a welcoming glow.

Bring in copper

Copper remains widespread, and this metal can be incorporated in myriad ways in your home, from a pretty copper pail used for a fall floral arrangement to your dishware and kitchen accessories, picture frames or serving trays. Occasionally polish the copper to maintain its shine or allow the metal to take on a rich patina over time.