The beginning of autumn heralds a season of change. The nights draw in, the temperature drops and nature transforms into a canvas of golden hues. Picnics in the park are replaced by dinner parties indoors, and al fresco drinks exchanged for evenings by the fire, with a glass of wine and a good book in hand. The season’s transitions outside call for cosy ambience inside, with soft lighting and fiery autumnal shades that echo the changing landscape beyond your front door. From tactile materials to faux foliage, let autumn into your home with these simple seasonal switches.
Published 27 January 2025 | Last Modified 30 May 2025 | Ellen Millard
Five Ways to Prepare Your Home for Autumn
Let it glow with ambient lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of lighting to completely transform the look and feel of a room. To create a warm and inviting atmosphere, soften the glow of overhead lamps with pendant lights and shades, and consider swapping out bright bulbs for those with a lower wattage; Edison lightbulbs radiate a golden hue and will enhance patterned or colourful shades. Once you’ve mastered the main light, illuminate dark corners of the room with floor and table lamps. A brass or golden base will reflect a light’s glow; pair with a lampshade in a dark colour to create a moody ambience.
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Switch up your soft furnishings
For a quick fix, swap summery cushions for autumnal alternatives. Minimal on effort, big on impact, this simple switch can make a world of difference. Channel the changing colours of nature with shades of burnt orange, forest green and truffle, or look for rich jewel tones such as navy blue and scarlet. While we tend to reach for lighter fabrics during the warmer seasons, autumn is the time to embrace thick, tactile materials. Pair velvet cushions with sheepskin throws and faux fur floor cushions with alpaca wool blankets for an instant update.
Bring the outside in with nature-inspired accessories
Is there a season that serves nature-inspired motifs as well as autumn does? As the landscape transforms, echo the change through your interiors with accessories that nod to the great outdoors. Our golden Maple Leaf and Oak Leaf dishes mirror the vibrancy of autumn trees, and double up as useful storage solutions for keys or loose coins. Place them on a console table alongside our Pinecone Candle Holder for a subtle homage to the season.
Update your house plants with autumn foliage
Just as the start of spring brings with it a plethora of florals in vibrant shades, autumn presents its own bounty of aesthetically pleasing foliage. Our collection of faux flowers, bouquets and plants allows you to update your greenery in tandem with the seasons – and removes the worry of upkeep in the process. Fill earth-toned vases with branches of pussy willow, dark eucalyptus and wild berries to bring subtle pops of autumnal colour to your interior.
Light up the room with your favourite candles
Nothing summons a cosy atmosphere quite like the soft flicker of candlelight. Nestle tealights into glass vessels to illuminate your dinner table, and decorate your mantelpiece with statement candle holders for a striking accent feature. With the new season comes the desire for new home fragrances, and our Ambre Brûlée candle is our autumnal hero. Handmade by Cire Trudon, the oldest active candle maker in the world, this aromatic wick’s soothing notes of amber, patchouli and bergamot cloak the senses in warmth – the perfect scent for this time of year.
Sue Jones' Guide to the Perfect Cosy Afternoon
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