Fall Vibes. Just the phrase makes me smile. There is something nostalgic about autumn, and bringing in fall touches adds ambiance inside the home. Once upon a time I brought out all the pumpkins, all the fall stems, all the wreaths, and all the things to celebrate autumn’s arrival. No surface was left untouched. But as I’ve grown older and our living arrangements change frequently, I’ve learned to bring in the feel of autumn in subtle ways that lend cozy vibes without adding to clutter and chaos.
The assault on summer
I have to admit, I’m not a huge fan of walking into the local craft store the week after Independence Day to find summer has been replaced with fall. Personally, I would like to wait until after summer vacations have been made, back to school supplies have been purchased, and summer temperatures dip below triple digits.
But it seems nature itself may be against me this year. The week of July 8th, I drove through out neighborhood and saw one of our trees had gone completely RED. I’m not talking a little tinge of color or a rouge sunbeam, here. I’m talking all out assault on summer! As much as my head screamed, ‘WAIT! Last week was Fourth of July! I’m not ready for fall!”, my heart smiled sheepishly – a little – knowing that fall was, indeed right around the corner, and with it came all the coziness of the season.
Fall vibes without the clutter
Because we move so frequently, it is hard for me to take all the seasonal decor I might desire. I also don’t want to purchase unnecessary things I have to store later. Finding those cozy fall vibes during our first move really taught me the practice of pairing down – and the art of restyling what I had in new fresh ways.
Here are my personal rules for creating cozy fall vibes without the clutter:
- Use what you have
- Create ambiance with fragrance
- Initiate soft lighting
- Embrace the tastes of the season
- Listen to sounds that inspire
- Bring in texture
Fall vibes – for free
Rule number one for me is always to use what I have. I try desperately not to buy new autumn decor. It’s a personal choice – you should do what works best for you. I guess I’ve always felt like by the time temperatures cool down enough to feel like fall, it was such a short window until I started decorating for the holidays, that brining out all the things felt like a waste of time. So, I try to use what I have or what I have readily available to me.
One way I do this is by looking at my own decor with fresh eyes. For example, coffee table books with colorful covers get replaced with ones that have more muted or autumnal colors. Floral stems get replaced with branches or twigs foraged at the local park or from a neighbor’s yard. Moss bowls get an autumnal refresh by switching out brighter greens for the more earthy tones of fall. Even bringing in pine cones in place of moss can lend a cozier fall feel to a space.
Whatever I do, I start with what I have first. Bringing together items of a similar color palette will create that cozy fall vibe you’re looking for. I have a Pottery Barn vase with a brown leather band. I often pair it with a living edge wooden fruit bowl of a similar color way. Add in a candle and you have some serious coziness happening.
Fall fragrances
Okay, let’s talk for a minute about fragrance. It has such a powerful way of creating memory. In fact, I talk about creating fall vibes in our home during back-to-school season in this post here. Needless to say, my grown children can’t smell apple pie or Macintosh apple fragrances without feeling like they want to buy school supplies.
Nonetheless, creating cozy fall vibes does not mean you have to purchase pumpkin pie spice, apple cider, or pie scented candles to make your home smell or feel amazing for autumn. In fact, I sometimes think those scents are WAY overdone – and begin to feel less than authentic for the season.
In place of those fragrances, I opt for scents that include leather, oud, cedar, or bergamot. These fragrances lend a warmth without an in-your-face smell that others do. Of course, if your favorite fall scent is pumpkin pie spice with a dollop of apple pie latte, by all means – go for the gusto!
Fall flavors
Since we’re talking about pumpkin pie spice and dollops of apple pie latte, let’s talk for a moment about the flavors of fall. I like to bring in certain flavors during the season. I love a good banana bread recipe, a cinnamon vanilla latte, or an apple cobbler. Who can resist a pumpkin pie with extra whipped cream?
I have a favorite coffee recipe I make throughout the year. Truth told, I love it most as the autumn approaches and I start craving the warmth of the season. If you’re looking for a good dairy free latte – this one will be a fast favorite!
Fall vibes and ambiance
Autumn brings with it chilly cooler evenings, and as the days grow shorter so does our exposure to natural sunlight. That is why bringing out all the textural throws and pillow covers, and incorporating soft lighting is so important to creating these cozy fall vibes.
Pillow covers and throw blankets are relatively easy to store as they take up so little space. I like pillow covers that include a little leather (or vegan leather), a little fur, a tweed, or boucle. Put away linen and cotton pillow covers for ones with more warmth, like a velvet or corduroy. Add in a textured throw, like a woven or knitted blanket to snuggle up with. Swap out lighter colors for warmer neutrals and you’re well on your way to creating autumnal warmth without the clutter and chaos.
Lighting is equally important. I love good candle light, but turning on a few table lamps in the evening will transform your home for autumn. It is one of my favorite things as the seasons change. I love to walk through our neighborhood and see all the houses come to life again. All the lighting from within makes them feel warm and cozy and I imagine families watching television or playing board games over a pot of warm soup or chili.
Finally, for all the fall vibes, listen to the sounds of the season
Holiday music is always a favorite for me, and I like to kick things off right early on. As the season shifts from summer to autumn, my choice of music changes too. The world slows down, colors fade, and I begin to retreat inside. With the candles, textures, tastes and lighting of the season, also comes soothing music.
While I can’t link actual music here (due to copyright) I can offer up a few suggestions for you to research. I think you may find something you like that brings a feeling of calm to your home.
- Woodlands – by August Flendahl
- Duende – by Tommy Berre
- Manzanilla – by Agustin Amigo
- Solstice – by Akim Bliss
- Sunrise over Forgotten – Adam Bokesch
Cultivating cozy fall feelings in a small space
Cultivating that cozy fall feeling in a small space can be down organically – without all the pumpkins and fall florals, without all the signs about sweater weather, football season, and it being “fall y’all.” But living in a small space doesn’t mean you sacrifice all the fall vibes either. You can bring it all in simply and easily – and inexpensively – if you think about the five senses and incorporate each one as the seasons change.
