It's time to cosy up your home for the crisp autumn days ahead. However, a shift in season doesn't have to mean a full-on interior makeover. Ideas for making your home cosy can be as simple as introducing new colours across your soft furnishings and accessories or changing up your layout for a more intimate feel, small changes can make all the difference. As the nights draw in, here's how to up the comfort factor in every room. Click or scroll through for inspiration...
Graham & Brown's choices for Design and Colour of the Year for 2024 feature welcoming colours and nostalgic botanical prints, ideal for creating cosy autumnal backdrops. Their new print, New Eden, features a dramatic forestscape backdrop, while Viridis, their soft and soothing green paint hue, complements the seasonal wallpaper design.
Ideal for indoors or out, create a lasting impression by hanging a beautiful seasonal wreath. Whether it's made from real autumn foliage, fabulous faux imitations or even soft fabric, the colours and textures are bound to add a warming farmhouse-inspired touch to your home. Enhance the look by attaching matching garlands to porch posts.
Give bright summer walls a welcoming and cosy makeover with warming neutral tones to turn up the heat. Create a new paint feature with wall panelling in taupe shades for increased interest and texture. Creamy beige sofas are a cosy spot to snuggle on when upholstered with tactile boucle fabric.
Enjoy those few weeks before the clocks change, when outdoor entertaining is still possible. Transform your garden terrace into a cosy outdoor enclosure with LED candles and storm lanterns, festoon string lights and a firepit. Then snuggle up with cushions, throws and soft outdoor rugs.
Give your kitchen seasonal style with some large or small changes. If you've always wanted an Aga, now's the time to invest in one. If you fancy a colour change, why not paint the cabinets a gorgeous autumn green? The weekend DIY job will make a big difference. Or simply switch out kitchen hardware with brass handles for a touch of opulent shine. Complete the look with copper cookware, a well-secured rug and fragrant candles.
Draught excluders are a simple but so effective solution to the colder months. The simple sausage-shaped cushion will keep your home warmer and cosy by keeping flurries of cold air from sneaking in under door frames, and preventing the escape of warm air. They work wonders on windowsills, too. This sumptuous velvet version is far from frumpy.
Make your home office inviting and productive with a quick update and rearrangement. Turn your desk to face the window; it will not only keep your work space well-lit with natural-light, but also ward off any SAD symptoms by exposing you to as many hours of daylight as possible. But don't forget dress the window with warm, floor-skimming curtains to block out draughts as the evenings draw in.
Bring the autumn woodland landscape inside by accessorising an endearing nature-inspired scheme. Add forest animal ornaments such as rabbits, owls and deer. Create a warming forest-style glow with hollowed log lanterns and votives and display rustic dried grasses to complete the charming cabin look.
Be inspired by the organic patterns, materials and colours of the outside world by embracing natural materials in your living room. "The colours of this palette are deeply rooted in the natural wood, taking influence from the skies and landscapes that surround us," says Melanie Archer, partner and designer at johnlewis.com
Sumptuous and soft, velvet is well-suited to cosy autumn interiors. Opt for autumn tones across your soft furnishings for a sure-fire way to create a warm and social living space with plenty of elegance. This refined russet sofa looks opulent teamed with a touch of burnt ochre.
If you have packed away your cushions and throws, it may be time to reinstate them. Don’t go full-on winter mode, but bring in enough soft furnishings to take the evening chill off. These peacock blues offset the green sofa perfectly and manage to carry a hint of bygone summer.
Embellish your fireplace with a delightful autumn glow that's mesmerising. Team your favourite handcrafted accessories, such as baskets and wooden ornaments, and group them together with candles and string lights. This sideboard display is brimming with autumnal garlands made from rustic textures and entwined with twinkling fairy lights.
Make radiators work harder by installing insulation foil reflectors to the wall directly behind each heater. The bubble foil reflects up to 97% of the heat back into the room to help reduce carbon footprint and energy bills.
Switch fresh flowers for earthy-toned dried grasses in rounded vases. Mix dried lavender and pampas grasses with gold thistles and sculptural faux protea for a look that's effortless and super-low maintenance.
There is a reason Scandinavians love to fill their rooms with layer upon layer of faux fur. The soothing and comforting fabric offers the softest of textures, and instantly gives any space a dose of warmth. Drape over hard surfaces and snuggle up in them on snug sofas.
Layers of natural linen and organic cotton will add a cosy and refined feel to a bedroom. Crumpled fabrics add to the rustic and relaxed look, so no need for ironing. Go for a muted autumn colour palette, but warm it up with wooden furniture and accessories.
Gone are the days of summer when cool, minimalist spaces spoke to our senses. Now the air is turning colder and the light is starting to fade, we prefer to hunker down and batten down the hatches. Turn attention to the fireplace with a brightly coloured stone to keep dopamine levels sunny and warm when it's cold outside. Set against a dark back drop, the glowing focal point shines.
Look at ways to bring tactile materials into the bedroom. Fabrics with a textured edge such as boucle can give a space a restful, cocooning feel as the seasons change. Here, the bobbly, upholstered bed, teamed with layers of autumnal-toned bed linen, emphasises comfort as well as style.
Living areas can get a bit neglected during the spring and summer when we migrate out into our gardens and patios. Change up your living room style and layout to give the space a cosy new feel. You might want to draw furniture near the fire or lay down some extra rugs to up the comfort factor.
Hang something eye-catching and colourful on your wall for a cheery sight on darker mornings. Design your own if you’re feeling creative, or shop around for a bold, inspiring art piece. These abstract prints featuring rich tones make a striking addition to a small living room.
Lend dinner time an atmospheric glow with candlelight. Start with a warming table cloth and arrange burnt-orange-toned glass votives and tall brass candle sticks that reflect flickering flames to create a warming luminosity around the room.
As our flourishing gardens start to fade, it’s nice to bring bursts of rich green décor inside instead. The organic hue evokes all things natural, so look for leaf prints and geometric- and check-patterned fabrics in shades of moss, emerald, jade and apple. For a bold, refined look, why not layer tonal shades across your walls and furniture?
Get organised in your autumn kitchen with a simple larder update. Fill up cupboards with warming foods and decanter dried goods into charming Kilner jars. Creating an easy-access breakfast station will make the darker mornings less of a chore.
Now is the perfect time to take inventory of your tableware. In preparation for the cool months ahead, why not treat yourself to a statement candlelit centrepiece? Go for eye-catching warming shades that sit well together. Buying a couple of new cereal bowls or pretty teacups can cheer a household up no end.
Bring out the thicker, cuddlier towels and bathmats from your cupboard to help the make surfaces of the bathroom feel a little more welcoming as the weather changes. These geometric designs in on-trend earthy tones add an urban touch, too.
Give your living room a rustic-yet-modern backdrop by adding wood cladding to the walls and you'll feel like you're curling up inside a cosy log cabin. Colour-matched cushions and throws add depth and comfort. And if real wood is unavailable, fake the look with faux-wood wallpaper.
How's this for statement lighting? Give bedrooms a cosy glow with a pair of globe-style wall sconces mounted on either side of the bed. Set against dark backdrop, the circular mirror takes on a lunar look that adds to the whole cosy character.
With just a few tweaks, the conservatory can get as much use in the colder months as in the summer. Lay down a rug, swap rattan sofas with full upholstered versions and layer up with plenty of snuggly cushions and throws.
Update your kitchen crockery with mugs that bring woodland wildlife inside. Sup warming hot chocolate from endearing cups printed with rustling hedgehogs and hopping hares by the fire as the nights draw in.
Use inviting and aromatic scents to take the cool edge off a bathroom. Our washroom decorating schemes tend to be white or grey, so introducing a set of amber-toned candles and fragrant diffusers that release woody undertones and spiced notes can warm things up no end.
Refresh a lacklustre room for autumn with a simple weekend project. Pick a single wall and choose warming wood panels or wood- effect tiles that add texture and interest. Rich and cohesive, these berry tones work well with the organic backdrop, while gold framed furniture brings a taste of opulence to the space.
Contemporary interiors featuring cutting edge trends may look cool and fresh in the summer but can turn stark during colder months. Warm up the look for autumn with decorative cushions and soft blankets, and reduce the noise with a furry wool rug. A shot of colour such as this royal blue cushion keeps the décor in vogue.
Adding a rug or two is an easy way to up the cosy factor in your living room. Ideal for uniting a vast space, this large textured area rug warms and softens a hard floor. By choosing shades within the same tonal family as the surrounds, the room still feels harmonious and welcoming.
The height of luxury, a four-poster bed is an easy way to create a cosy, enveloping bedroom for autumn and winter. The original purpose of this regal design was to keep in the warmth via the hanging drapes, though you could tweak tradition and create a modern canopy version with neutral-toned fabric, or simply let a contemporary frame do the talking with a warming wood finish
Give your living room an extra layer of warmth and colour by adding cushions, throws and soft furnishings in knitted textures. Muted tones are easy to work with and will instantly transform your sofa into a soft and sumptuous haven. For real wow-factor, go for a bold contrast – this teal feature wall is the perfect counterpoint to the pale grey fabrics.
As the days and nights get cooler, we may change up our bathroom schedules to include a few more indulgent bubble baths. Sort out toiletries accordingly and reorganise your lotions and potions storage for relaxing bathing and stress-free bathroom routines.
Curtains aren't just for windows – they're perfect for cosying up your interior walls too, especially if you choose the thermal kind. Using curtains as smart room dividers is an ingenious way to zone an open-plan space and transform a room into an intimate space, too.
Plaid and check fabrics conjure up images of snug fire-side living, making them the perfect interior choice when the weather turns cooler. Layer up the bed with patterned bed-linen and soft throws – look out for brushed cotton for the ultimate cosy cabin vibe. We love this rich blue colourway with orange autumnal accents.
It's no secret that the Scandinavians have cosy decorating down to a T, so why not take some pointers from the professionals this season? Layer simple wood furniture with soft textures, from faux fur rugs to knitted throws and runners, then amp up the ambience with plenty of warm candlelight.
The ultimate autumn vegetable, pumpkins aren't just for Halloween. To celebrate these glorious gourds, pair them with storm lanterns and other woodland foliage for a quirky autumn display in your hallway. Shiny rose gold pumpkins add an elegant touch and can be brought back out year after year.
What could be cosier than the feeling of a soft new carpet under your feet when the chilly air sets in? Soft fawn hues are especially warming, offering a versatile and inviting canvas for whatever tonal palette you choose for your scheme.
If you're not one for traditional autumn colours, a bolder tone can spruce up a hallway with just as much warmth and style. This deep royal blue wall revitalises this entryway and contrasts beautifully with the exposed brickwork. Want to get the look? There are plenty of convincing faux brick wallpapers out there.
Sinking down into a soft corner or sectional sofa on a cold evening is the epitome of cosy, but a neutral shade can run the risk of looking bland and lacklustre. Grey throws and earthy cushions make perfect partners to jazz up a simple scheme. Add warm metal tealights and lanterns to complete the snug look.
Makeover mealtimes with a new set of tableware in a soothing palette of chalky green and dusky pink. Be sure to source deep bowls for autumn staples like soup, stew and pasta, then entertain in the evenings with smoky pink glassware and leafy green table linen.
Add a layer of padding between pillow and bedhead with a homemade or shop-bought bolster that ties in place on the bed frame – it’s a great way of bringing comfort to metal headboards. Look for a fabric with decorative interest – this William Morris artichoke design has an autumnal feel about it.
Warmth can be a tricky prospect in the sleek and functional world of the kitchen, so look to texture to add comfort as summer turns to autumn. Treat yourself to a new set of glazed stoneware bowls or mugs – look for designs that harmonise with your kitchen's colour palette and have raised tactile surfaces that are pleasing to the touch.
As it starts to get darker earlier, bringing candlelight into the bathroom can be a nice touch. If it’s time to refresh accessories, consider metallic designs in yellow gold. This bath bridge and hurricane lamp have a transformative effect against the crisp white sanitaryware and walls.
Spice up a cool grey kitchen with a new blind in a seasonal shade, from burnt orange to splashes of green or rusty neutrals. It's an easy kitchen update that'll add pattern and personality to a functional space in one simple step!
A wall hanging is the perfect purchase to cosy up your walls. Look for designs that work with your décor – a macramé fixture will add an intimate, handmade feel that's ideal for a snug autumn space. This design hanging over the hearth fits in perfectly in this charming living room, paired with dark wood and tactile earthy materials that hint at far-flung horizons.
Make the most of a harvest festival by creating delicious, warming dishes filled with seasonal fruit and hearty flavours. Update your cookware collection with heavy rustic pots and wooden utensils and use them as decorative features on open shelving in the kitchen.
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