If the slight drop in temperature and chameleon foliage are any indication, fall is coming. And while it might be customary to give your closet a seasonal refresh—trading in shorts and sandals for sweaters and boots—you can also give your home the same autumnal treatment. That said, there’s a fine line between fall decor that’s chic and kitschy. One moment, you have a room that feels perfectly rustic. And the next? Your place is covered in pumpkin motifs and spools of leaf-clad garland.
It takes some practice, but it is possible to create a stylish, cozy space for autumn—with no cheese in sight. For inspiration, browse the decadent fall decor ideas below. From lovely layers to tactile textures to warm color palettes, these design ideas are certainly stylish enough to be in your home all year long.
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1
Add Jewel-Tone Accessories
In this Manhattan apartment designed by ED A-List designer David Kleinberg, a sapphire blue chair is paired with a Paul Frankl desk from 1st Dibs. A luxe cashmere throw adds color to an ottoman, while velvet throw pillows add texture to the sofa.
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2
Don’t Ignore Rust-Painted Furniture
Painting walls for a season may seem daunting, but sprucing up a small piece of furniture can also have a major impact. Designer Rodney Lawrence made a sophisticated statement with matching twin beds in this Quogue, New York, children’s bedroom.
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3
Bring in a Bright Orange Sofa
ED A-List designer Lorenzo Castillo created a warm and welcoming space in this Paris family room. The custom sofa is upholstered in autumnal orange and paired with a stool by Marc Bankowsky.
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4
Paint the Inside of the Bookcase
An orange interior gives off a warm glow in the bookcase. ED A-List designer Jeffrey Bilhuber weaves orange hues throughout the composition of this Jackson Hole study creating a cozy space.
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5
Hang an Oversize Painting in Earth Tones
Varying shades of brown are used in this New York study. A large painting by Jonathan Meese complements matching wingback chairs in similar earth tones.
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6
Layer in Saturate Textiles
A luxe orange throw is draped over white bedding. An antique Japanese obi was used to create banded details on the master bed in this Manhattan apartment.
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7
Hang Plaid Curtains
If you’re partial to plaid, try curtains boasting the classic, fall-appropriate pattern. In this living room, plaid curtains of a fabric by Brochier complement striped Arte wallpaper, which is hung horizontally.
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8
Mix Patterned Throw Pillows
Fall is all about making a room feel more cozy, and throw pillows are perfect for adding warmth to a space. In the living room in Chad Stark’s East Village apartment, Scalamandré armchairs and ottomans are upholstered in fabrics by Jean-Paul Gaultier for Lelievre, the cocktail table is by Vladimir Kagan, and the rug is by Stark.
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9
Weave in Antiques
Antiques, like this secretary’s desk in the TriBeCa loft of Homepolish designer Jae Joo, never fail to add depth to a room. The unique piece enhances the room and serves as a nice balance to the white walls.
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10
Embrace Nature
Embrace the beauty of the fall season by choosing understated furnishings and a subdued color palette that keep the focus on the outdoor view. In this Tahoe bedroom crafted by designer Jamie Bush and architect Cynthia Wang, floor-to-ceiling windows steal the show.
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11
Go for Burnt Orange Walls
A collection of art stands out against burnt orange walls in Antonello Radi’s 16th-century Umbrian home. Antique mirrors, along with orange velvet chairs, lend a vintage flair to the space, which is complete with a 19th-century mantel.
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12
Layer Accessories
While brick walls tend to feel cold, layers of rugs, throws and pillows, along with warm woods, make this living room design by Homepolish’s Becky Shea feel cozy.
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13
Embrace Wood Paneling
An 18th-century farm estate in the Hudson Valley features a library with antique Tennessee pine panels. To complement the wood paneled walls, a George Smith chair is draped in a C&C Milano linen and textiles from Pakistan, India, Indonesia, and Italy, and an antique Italian bench is covered in a 16th-century tapestry fragment. The bookcase light is by Ann-Morris, and the 1929 pastel portrait is French.
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14
Try Oversize Furniture in Deep Tones
For a family room in a TriBeCa loft, a large, custom sectional is covered in deep gray Great Plains and Donghia fabrics, which add warmth to the space. The cocktail table by Daniel Scuderi and the chandelier by Trans-Luxe are both custom, the Ecart International sconces are from Ralph Pucci, the curtains are of a Stark fabric, and the carpet is by Tai Ping; the walls are in a Dualoy leather, the ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Bison Brown, and the artwork is by Zipora Fried.
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15
Match Woods to Furniture
In the São Miguel, Portugal, home of architect Luís Bernardo Brito e Abreu, caramel-colored 1960s chairs by Daciano da Costa complement the tones of the pine doors and oak dining table. The armoire is 18th-century Indo-Portuguese, the ceiling is Japanese cedar, and the flooring is local basalt.
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16
Try Floral Wallpaper
Along with upholstered seating, floral wallpaper in a fall-appropriate green hue add personality to the grand salon of the Sonoma Valley lake house designed by Ken Fulk with the architect Ken Linsteadt. The vintage Edward Wormley sofa for Dunbar is in a JAB Anstoetz fabric, the Casamidy barstools have seats in a Dedar weave, and the dining table is from the Brimfield Antique Show. The custom chandeliers are by One Off Furniture, and the floral wallcovering is by Schumacher.
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17
Mix Neutrals
A ranch house in Upstate New York designed by Ernest de la Torre features a mix of neutral tones for a cozy vibe. The family room’s Jean-Michel Frank sofa is by Ecart Paris, the wooden chair carved in the style of Pedro Friedeberg came from a Paris flea market, and the cocktail table by Etienne Allemeersch is from Art-Design-Carta. The walls are sheathed in inlaid straw marquetry from Paris, and the alpaca rug is by Sacco Carpet.
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18
Give Texture with Worn Vintage Pieces
At a Georgian-style mansion in New York’s Tuxedo Park, a 1920s light fixture by O.C. White Co. hangs above a George II mahogany table in the dining room, the chairs are custom-made, and the console is from the 19th century. The 1897 seascape is by Paul Kuhstohs, and the portrait was found at a Paris flea market.
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19
Bring the Outdoors in with a Stack of Firewood
A barn doubles as a guest house on the property of Amanda Seyfried’s weekend retreat in the Catskills. In the living area, an original wood-burning stove is backed by a wall of custom concrete tiles. The chair is vintage.
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20
Use Greenery to Complement the Colorful Foliage Outside
In a 19th-century San Francisco landmark home designed by Ken Fulk, the kitchen features barstools by Lucca Studio, a chandelier by Vilhelm Lauritzen and a kitchen island by Bulthaup.