While some autumnal décor elements are practically perennial—think: jewel tones, cozy textures, and cinnamon-laced scents—figuring out how to incorporate them into your home in new ways each year can be challenging. Fortunately, if you’ve found yourself in a seasonal slump, today’s top interior designers have fresh takes on fall decorating trends that are simple yet impactful.
From hues inspired by your spice rack to dramatic floral arrangements, these are the fall decorating trends set to be everywhere this season. (Plus, find all the straight-from-the-experts tips you’ll need for pulling them off.)
Branches as the New Botanicals
In contrast to the super lush blooms of spring and summer, trending autumnal floral arrangements are embracing end-of-season elegance and unexpected elements.
Interior designer Bethany Adams recommends using thin branches about three feet long within your autumn display. “Pop out to your backyard (or your alleyway if you’re a city dweller) and use trimmers to cut long branches,” she says. “Strip off the lower leaves and any straggling offshoots, and then place them in a vase with water for weeks of fall color indoors.”
Danielle Balanis of Danielle Balanis Design also turns to her own yard for her seasonal foliage accents. “I love cutting a branch from the Japanese maple blooming in my yard that has begun to turn shades of red and orange,” she says. “It channels everything I love about fall, it’s not forced, and it feels right in any room.”
Foraged Décor
If branches are bridge too far, consider using faded blooms or dried botanical elements to create a seasonal centerpiece that sets off the rest of your decor. “Letting nature and earth tones take the lead can really help accent the jewel tones and rich colors of fall,” Devika Kanadé of The Itihāas Company explains.
Foraging for and DIY’ing natural elements, such as drying your own flowers, will have you embracing the season in a whole new way. “For example,” says Kanadé, “an unusual shaped piece of wood can be used as a centerpiece if you melt taper candles all over to create a unique candle stand.”
Simmering Scents
Pumpkin, nutmeg, allspice… There’s a reason so many warm, inviting scents are associated with fall. These aromas can easily create a seasonal atmosphere in any space.
In lieu of jarred scented candles, simmer a stovetop potpourri with orange, cloves, and herbs—or take inspiration from Balanis, who relies on cinnamon broomsticks from her local market for a seasonal scent. “For me, they are a go to and constant every fall,” she says. “I love the smell and the charm of having it leaned in the corner. It brings warmth and comfort to my breakfast room and livens up my kitchen.”
Rich Browns
Warm, earthy browns have been gaining ground over the cool-toned grays that have been trending for the last few years. They’re uniquely suited to the classic color palettes of autumn, which highlight natural tones of bark, sand, rocks, and earth as more colorful accents fade for the season.
“Brown has always been our favorite color and luckily it seems as though brown is making a huge comeback in interior trends in the form of different tones of wood or paints,” says Kanadé. Consider adding the shade to your library or dining room by painting the ceiling a rich hue with a chocolate undertone—such as cherry, burgundy, or coffee, she says—for an instant and impactful transformation.
“It adds depth to your space without overwhelming it, adds moodiness, and creates a stunning backdrop with simpler lighter tones on floor level,” Kanadé explains. “You can always paint your ceiling back to a lighter color going into spring. The beauty of paint!”
Spice-Inspired Hues
Fall will always call for an infusion of warm, spice-inspired colors to replace the bright citrus tones and cool sea shades of summer. Bring in hints of copper, gold, brown, apricot, and burgundy with cozy chenille throws, pillows, and decorative objects.
Balanis especially recommends tones pulled right from your spice rack, like mustard and saffron. “Shades of saffron and mustard are a yearlong favorite of mine, but in fall they really become alive,” she says. “They pair well with all fall color palette shades. From freshly pressed napkins to accents in floral arrangements, this tone of color just blends so perfectly with all things fall.”
Dramatic Arrangements
Gothic gardens—that is, floral arrangements and outdoor plants that feature deep, inky colors—have proved to be a huge 2024 gardening trend. Add an instant “wow” moment to your home this autumn with a dramatic and unexpected flower arrangement spotlighting these darker hues.
This particular arrangement features black dahlias, purple hazel leaves, blood-red ornamental grass, and purple-hued artichokes; also consider red or black roses, cobra lilies, black calla lilies, and dried lotus seed flowers.
Taper Candles
A collection of varying taper candles nestled together looks sophisticated and elegant (but is decidedly low-effort). Place candles of different heights, widths, shapes, and materials on a wood or glass tray to create a cozy atmosphere while drawing attention to your favorite pieces of furniture.
“Accentuating antiques and beautiful wood pieces in your space by adding taper candle stands is an old-school way of creating a moody environment,” says Kanadé. Plus, “The yellow light of candle flames definitely lends a sense of warmth,” she adds.
Luxe Textures
As temperatures drop, elevate your interiors with layers of thick, plush textures. Throws, pillows, and bedding in velvets, tweed, and corduroy is a relatively simple way to play with texture and add visual interest and coziness to a space. “We love styling our fall tables with our velvet dining collection in the form of dining table covers, placemats, and velvet cotton napkins,” says Kanadé. “It adds so much interest to your table to elevate the feeling of getting together with loved ones.”
Gem-Toned Glassware
Dress up your place settings with jewel-toned glassware and shimmering metallic accents: “Glassware in darker colors or amber is a simple but effective refresh to your tablescapes.”
If you aren’t hosting a holiday meal this year, your best tableware can still have its moment by using favorite platters, trays, plates, and cups as accents on their own. “Using them as display pieces, as opposed to functional pieces, can change up the styling of your space,” adds Kanadé. “Mixing of metals too is a fun way to add gold and silver tones to your vignettes.”
Lighting Exchange
Give your entire home the warm glow of candlelight by swapping cooler light bulb tones for a golden glow. “Since fall is the season for cozy, making your space feel as warm and welcoming as possible for the holidays is the goal,” says Kanadé. “If your space usually uses white light, swap it out for yellow bulbs in a lower watt to create the same feeling—a simple, inexpensive swap to change the colors and tones of your space.”