I am (very) slowly coming to terms with the fact that summer is over. The beginning of September was quite warm. I could still pretend that summer wasn’t over. But this week has been a stark reminder that we’re on the verge of winter, and it’ll soon be time to go into hibernation mode. Even though I’m not going to make a massive effort to decorate for autumn, now is the time to bring out the woollen blankets, the mood lighting and the earthy colours. After all, what could be better than curling up on the sofa in the comfort of your own home with a hot drink of your choice?
SEASONAL COLOURS
The easiest way to decorate for autumn is to look to nature for inspiration. There is nothing quite like nature’s colour palette, is there? All the browns and oranges are ideal for a sophisticated and vibrant autumn interior scheme. Although you won’t see any pumpkins here (yet), there are plenty of oranges and mustards to brighten things up. Burgundy and plum are also my favourite autumn colours. They remind me of red autumn leaves, which add richness and depth to any room.
DRIED FLOWERS
Now is the time to dry out those garden hydrangeas (or any other flowers you have) and preserve them for the winter, so you can enjoy them a little longer. I bought the most gorgeous bouquet of dried flowers a couple of months ago and, as it turns out, it’s perfect for the autumn. We get so much sun in our dining room that I thought it was time to invest in some flowers that would last a little bit longer. The bouquet is so beautiful that I think I’ll use it it all year round.
DARK WOOD
I’m slowly moving towards darker woods. Dark woods, like teak or walnut, have such a warm and intense feel to them, although I prefer to use them in smaller doses. The decorative tray is my parents’ old wedding present. It has a lot of nostalgia and memories attached to it. I’m so glad I found the perfect place for it in our fireplace room.
CANDLES
My obsession with scented candles is no secret. At the minute, I’m more into musk and cedarwood than sweet scents. I also love the smell of burning logs, which is why the Diptyque Feu De Bois candle is a staple in our home during the winter months. We do have a real fireplace, and although there is nothing quite like the smell of real wood burning, this candle comes a very close second.
WOOL THROWS & CUSHIONS
Swap out lighter fabrics for heavier ones, such as wool, and experiment with darker, richer colours for that extra bit of comfort. Cosy throws in chunky knits or textured boucle will also add warmth to your decor and help you ‘hygge up’ when the temperatures dip.
VEINED MARBLE
Ok, I’m not sure how autumnal veined marble is, but I found the most beautiful (and affordable) marble candle holder in Arket and had to include it. The pattern, with touches of black, grey and yellow, is incredibly calming to the eye and I think works well with an autumnal colour palette.
EMBRACE THE MOODINESS
Finally, embrace the dark and moody nights using accent lighting and candles wherever possible. I know it can be tempting to leave the lights on 24/7, but I personally love minimal accent lighting with a few candles to brighten up chilly autumn evenings.
Let us know how you like to decorate for autumn in the comments below.
