6 ways to bring a cosy feel to your home

In the past month alone, searches for “autumn aesthetic” on Pinterest have increased by 125%, a clear indication that people are ready for the change in season.

And if you are among the one in four Brits who consider autumn their favourite season, now is the perfect time to start thinking about how to transition your home into the perfect autumnal haven to come back to after a cold, rainy day.

To help you achieve just that, leading interior experts have shared six tips to consider when transitioning your home from summer to autumn.

Consider the importance of colour

While orange might be the first colour that jumps to mind when thinking about autumn, there are other ways to incorporate colour into your home to capture the cosy feeling of the season. 

“When choosing a colour palette for your home to evoke warmth and a feeling of safety, consider the depth and richness of the shades as well as the tones themselves,” says Lucy Ackroyd, head of design at Christy.

“The deeper and more opulent the shade you choose, the more of a cocoon-like effect it will create. Terracotta can bring this sense of depth and is perfectly paired with soothing colours, such as peacock and softer colours like soft pinks, to create a cohesive colour palette, promoting comfort and warmth.

“If you don’t want to start painting walls, adding in these shades in the form of accessories such as throws, cushions or artwork and ceramics can have the same effect.”

Embrace seasonal accents and centrepieces

One easy way of adding the essence of autumn to your home is by adding accent pieces, especially those that bring the outside in, evoking feelings of nature and the leaves changing.

“For a transitional take on the humble pumpkin – try a set of good quality faux rustic-style squashes – it’s a versatile harvest decoration that will carry you through from early autumn into Halloween, minus the mouldy rotten smells that come with their real counterparts,” advises Jess Martin, decoration expert at Ginger Ray. “Try weaving warm-toned foliage string lights through your arrangement to draw the eye and effuse a soft glow just like a candle would in a classic carved pumpkin.”

To set the scene, Martin suggests placing a “freshly picked mound” style arrangement of pumpkins by your front door or offer more subtle nods by placing two or three side by side anywhere from the mantle to the window ledge or the coffee table.”

“Plumes of pampas grass and dried foliage are all over the agenda this autumn, offering a sense of grounding and calm whilst gently complementing the colour scheme – place small bunches throughout your home, or for more of a centrepiece, weave into a wreath.”

Appeal to the sense of smell

Scent can be a game-changer when evoking the feeling of autumn in your home, with scent-scaping being the perfect way to bring that sense of autumnal comfort into your space.

“You can never underestimate the power of fragrance and enveloping your home in the perfect seasonal scents to create a cosy, autumnal feel,” says Gina Strain, head of homeware buying at Matalan.

“Smoke and leather – in the scent world, the two are intrinsically linked and are some of the oldest and most comforting scents known to man.

“Use a reed diffuser placed higher up and in open spaces to make the most of airflow and fill the room with luxurious scents, but keep out of direct sunlight to avoid the oils evaporating.”

Strain also suggests placing candles sporadically around your room to add “an extra burst of fragrance and create a particularly cosy atmosphere for the evening”.

Look at layering

“The key to autumn styling for me is layering – it is the best thing about the season changing and it’s a quick and easy way of cosying up your home,” says Amy Wilson, interior designer for 247 Blinds and 247 Curtains. “By layering up accessories and textures, you can really transform your room and give it a new and inviting scheme for conker season.

Wilson says we should consider using multiple textures by introducing sheepskins, faux fur or boucle in the form of blankets, cushions and rugs.

“At your windows consider a second layer too – a roman blind behind existing curtains will help keep the warmth inside and make your room feel more luxurious and stylish,” she says.

Make use of throws and fabrics

One of the simplest ways to prepare your home for autumn is to add some cosy home accessories like throws, blankets and cushions, says Sam Hood, co-founder and chief creative officer at Amara.

“When the weather starts to turn, one of the main things that makes people feel cosy is being able to reach for a warm blanket,” says Hood. “Adding fabrics, including cushions, throws and rugs, helps to soften a room and increase the sense of cosiness.

“You should also think about what materials you want these luxury accessories to be. Opt for knitted throws, fluffy blankets, soft cushions and shaggy rugs for a real sense of autumnal cosiness. These fabrics will help to add layers of texture to your decor and break up any hard edges or surfaces with their soft lines. Not only that, the fluffy materials are perfect for making you feel cosier as the nights get colder.”

So there you have it: five top tips that are sure to help you transform your space into a cosy autumnal sanctuary.