Looking to prep your home for fall? Try these cozy and practical ideas to make your space feel warm, inviting, and ready for the season.
Fall is right around the corner and personally, I cannot wait. While I love the summer lifestyle - I prefer the (slightly) cooler air and coziness that comes with fall.
While there are plenty of decorative ways to give your home the cozy fall aesthetic, there are also practical ways to embrace the change in seasons in your space.
Today I want to chat about some of those more practical swaps you can make to prep your home for fall!
Don't miss our Fall Home Maintenance Guide, too!
How to Prep Your Home for Fall with Cozy, Functional Upgrades
Fall is the perfect time to cozy things up and make your home feel a little more functional for cooler days ahead.
These simple swaps and upgrades will help you refresh your space without a full makeover.
Create a Cozy, Organized Entryway
One thing that screams "cozy fall" is lots of layers! And I don't just mean blankets and pillows on your couch. You and your family will be layering up, too.
All those layers mean it is essential to have a proper drop zone in your home. Whether you have jackets, shoes, backpacks, or bags, you need a space that works for you specifically.
Try to craft a space to handle the clutter while still feeling warm and welcoming!
If you have baskets or bins, make sure that they are sturdy enough to handle the heavier cool weather gear.
Consider adding a rug or mat, especially if you have a lot of wet weather.
We added built in lockers in our mudroom area and they have made the space both more attractive and much more functional!
No space for lockers? Consider building a simple wall shelf with hooks and pairing it with a DIY console table!
Don't want to build? Check out these finds:
Layer in Warmth with Textiles and Texture
Once you're done tackling the pile of layers by the front door, let's bring them in to the living room!
The easiest way to make your home feel more cozy is by adding textures and layers.
Swap out your summer throw pillows (or covers) and blankets for textured versions in warm tones for autumn.
Consider mixing in a variety of textures including knits, fur, velvet, or boucle, for that luxe, cozy feel.
We added a boucle chair to the corner of our bedroom and it had such an instant cozy vibe, especially when I paired it with a woven basket, knubby knit pillow, and furry throw blanket!
Shopping for cozy textures?! Check out:
- Our cozy accent chair
- My boucle throw pillow covers - come in so many colors!
- Sherpa throw blanket
- My very very favorite plush area rug
- Faux fur accent pillow
- Neutral flannel bedding set
- Scalloped woven baskets
Bring in Soft Lighting and Warm Glows
Lighting can instantly change the way that a space feels. As we transition into fall, there are shorter days and earlier sunsets. That means that artificial lighting is going to play a big role in setting the mood of a room!
If you use cool toned light bulbs, you might want to consider starting to swap them out for warm-toned bulbs to soften the feel in your space.
Adding secondary light sources - like table lamps, battery candles, under-cabinet lighting, or even sconces can help to avoid using a harsh overhead light.
Don't forget about smart outlets and smart light bulbs! They connect to apps so you can set them on a timer - no more coming into a dark kitchen on those gloomy fall mornings!
Product Types to Recommend:
Refresh Functional Outdoor Spaces for Fall
Finally, don't forget to get your outdoor spaces ready for the changes in seasons, too!
Just because summer is over doesn't mean you will stop using your patio. In fact, here in Charleston, it's much prefered to host and hang outside in the fall than in the summer heat.
Make sure that all of your furniture is weather-resistant and treated (we like to use outdoor scotchgard!) to last.
Consider adding seasonal touches like lanterns or fall planters. We love stringing string lights on the screened porch and across the yard for cozy vibes.
Finally, an outdoor safe rug goes a long way towards making the space feel more homey. Look for fall colors for the perfect aesthetic!
Getting your home ready for fall doesn’t have to be complicated—just a few smart updates can make a big difference.
Cozy, practical, and done in a weekend? That’s a win in my book.
Looking for something?
We've been doing this since 2012 so we have a LOT of blog posts!
Search stuff like: Ceiling Projects | DIY Plant Stands | Thrift Flips
Hello, I'm Morgan, half of the creative force behind CharlestonCrafted.com! With a passion for DIY that dates back to 2012, I've transformed three homes and now I'm dedicated to helping others craft their dream spaces. Let's turn your house into a home together!