When it comes to seasonal transitions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of buying new decor to spruce up your space. But along with just creating more stuff you need to store later, it gets expensive to shop seasonally.

In an effort to minimize spending, we turned to the experts to ask what small, cost-effective ways they suggest prepping your home for cooler days and cozier nights.

Add Layers of Autumnal Tones

“One of my favorite ways to transition my home from summer to fall is through layers,” said Drew Scott of Lone Fox. “Even adding a layer on top of my previous summer layers can intensify the feeling of coziness without having to redecorate the entire space.”

If you want to look toward items you already have, Drew suggests pulling in pieces that feature “terracotta, olive, or earthy tones” because these colors are “a no brainer when it comes to getting the fall feels!”

Consider Your Other Senses

Transitioning your home into autumn mode doesn’t just need to be visual. Drew pointed out that it can happen through scent, too. “The impact that a scent has on somebody when they walk into your home is the starting point to any fall transition,” Drew told us. “I think a crisp fall scent is the perfect way to tell somebody you took the effort to make your space coordinate with the season. I personally love the hand-carved Pumpkin Spice candle from my shop! It comes in the perfect hand-carved wooden bowl which you can use after as a catch-all!”

Rotate Your Wall Art

Another way to make your home feel more fall is by “switching out wall art for something moodier or warmer," said Drew. "[This] is a great way to add new color, pattern or texture without having to commit to larger changes that traditionally cost a lot more.”

And no, you don’t need to splurge on new pieces or maintain a hidden archive somewhere. Drew noted that “Etsy is an amazing site to shop for digital art prints which you can print locally at an extremely affordable price point.” Or you can tackle something homemade, like a DIY wreath using autumn-inspired colors and materials!

Fall Foliage Is Key

Xander Shreenan, interior designer at home décor brand Dowsing & Reynolds, noted that “small updates can often have the biggest impact in a space, as you can experiment with colors, textures, and patterns” on a smaller scale. One of the best ways of doing this is with preserved and dried foliage.

Consider “beautiful rich colors such as burnt oranges, deep crimsons, or even subtle use of black tones," said Xander. "Dried foliage is a great way to introduce color updates to a space without a major overhaul.”

Add Textures That are Fall-forward AND Functional

Cheryl Kees Clendenon, president of In Detail Interiors, pointed out that the best way to invoke fall feels is with plenty of textures--but the key to doing this cost-effectively is to add items that also have a function.

"Update your bedroom sanctuary to transition into fall with a shaggy plush rug under your feet and a cozy fall-inspired throw. [It's] easy and inexpensive to add a warm ambiance to your bedroom and feel ready for the cooler weather!” say Cheryl. The same idea can apply to your living room, "particularly with a gorgeous mohair throw. Instantly transform the feel from summer to cooler weather with color and warmth."

Source: The Spruce

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