This may be a bit of a faux pas as a “lifestyle blogger and content creator” but I have a love/hate relationship with seasonal and holiday décor. I appreciate the thoughtful touches that reflect the changing of seasons and I truly love turning the calendar to a fresh month; however, I find that fall decorating can quickly get out of hand and become the exact situation I strive to avoid at all costs in our home – clutter. If you’re like me and want to decorate for fall but don’t want your home to look like an aisle at Homesense, keep reading.
Here are six changes if you want to decorate for fall while keeping your home clutter-free.
1. Change up your scents.
Nothing feels more like Fall than certain smells – apple pie, pumpkin spice, caramel – basically, anything warm and sweet. Order a couple of candles that smell especially cozy and light them as the evenings get darker. My absolute favourite candles (and a Canadian small shop!) are from Soja & Co.
Another option is a diffuser (I absolutely adore this one from Vitruvi). This is one of my favourite diffuser scents for the colder months and this one is also so good this time of year (use code ‘GINGERDEBHOUSE’ for 20% off all Vitruvi orders).
You also can bring those delicious fall scents in by making a simmer pot on the stove – fill a pot with water, add 4-6 cinnamon sticks + 1 tsp vanilla + an orange rind + 2 tbsp of cloves + 3-5 bay leaves and turn the dial to simmer. Leave it going for an afternoon spent at home.
2. Invest in pieces to decorate for fall that are neutral enough to work in both Fall AND Winter.
There are certain colour palettes that work for the colder months and aren’t strictly “fall” (think earthy tones, darker blues/greys, oatmeal). Choose heavier blankets and throw pillows that will keep you cozy all through fall and winter (love this checkered throw blanket and these throw pillows).
Avoid pieces that have seasonal “sayings” or catchy phrases. As much as I want a doormat that says “Hey, Pumpkin” (believe me, I’ve been SO tempted to buy one), I know it’s a better investment to get something that will work from September thru till March.
3. Adapt your menu.
These months in the kitchen give me life. I live for soups, chowders, chilis, basically anything that simmers and is served in a bowl. Johnny is a hardcore football fan so our Sundays are typically spent at home this time of year and I always have something going on the stove. I also find I feel so creative in the kitchen as the produce changes with the seasons. Root veggies start to be added to the menu and I honestly love having them out on the countertops to bring a seasonal feel to the kitchen (I have no shame about placing my garlic and acorn squash juuuust right so they add a cute seasonal touch).
4. Experiment with seasonal cocktails.
This is a fun way to change up happy hour at home. A couple of recipes I’m eyeing – this honey bourbon cocktail and this salted caramel white russian.
5. Switch up your bedding.
It’s time to pack up that light comforter you have on the bed for the summer and pull out the heavier bedding. We have and absolutely love the snug quilted comforter from Sunday Citizen. It’s truly the softest bedding I’ve ever owned and has held up really well for the last year since we got it. Great bedding will instantly make a room/bed cozier and that brings with it feelings of fall for me. I love sleeping under a heavy duvet or a thick comforter as the temps start to drop.
6. Bring a select few truly seasonal items into your home.
For me, straight up fall decorating will look like a handful of little pumpkins/gourds, in-season flowers, and a few potted mums on the front porch. This could look different for you but try to keep these items to a minimum as they won’t be sticking around too long.
I’ve actually curated a Fall Home Shop with lots of pieces that will help you decorate for fall, if you’re looking to add a few seasonal touches. Many of the items in the Shop will work all through the colder months.
