Effortless Ways to Infuse Fall Into Your Home and Backyard

It’s that time of year when the mercury drops and a crisp breeze begins to blow through the air, bringing a season of changes. Fall vibes means curling up by the fireplace with a spice latte and a good read, it’s jumping into a pile of leaves, it’s lighting candles for a warm soft evening glow. In other words, autumn is a time for cocooning with loved ones. So, let’s explore some of the elements we can inject into our home, as well as out backyard/patio décor, to introduce the best of this season.

We went to our seasoned interior designers at Designer’s Edge to provide you with a plethora of fall décor inspiration. “With every changing season bring opportunity to change your décor. Think of every season as having its own distinct personality that wears different clothing,” says Danielle Paul, President, Designers Edge. “You want to your home to reflect these seasonals shifts and evolving trends.”

Let’s get started!

Add some of this year’s new chic fall colours: It’s as easy as introducing fall colours within your décor items (this could be pillows, throws, accessories, books, candles, towels, bedding, etc.). Some colours the team is loving are nature inspired, such as dark forest/hunter greens, dark terracotta, maroon, deep plum, warm berry tones, raw umber and burnt orange.

Patterns & Textures: Transform your home with a dose of autumn warmth by way of snuggly textures and patterns, such as plaid, wool, faux furs, and woven/knitted goods. Another way to accomplish this is to layer chunky fabrics with smoother finishes – linens and cottons. This is easily done with the likes of rugs, throws and pillows. You can also pair summer colours, like warm khaki with deep earthy green colours of fall; this way you can reuse some of your existing accessories that you may not be ready to put away yet.

Change things up: Transition your bedding and your area rugs in your living room, study nook, dining room, etc. as a great start creating a new vibe and vignette. Another approach is to switch up your decor through faux foliage. Bringing in light, wispy, natural foliage of different heights and visual weights – think leafy bunches, dried petals, and branches, or head outside and snip a few hydrangea, eucalyptus or fresh lavender.

Add scents for the coziest of ambience: When it comes to adding that inviting glow in your home or patio, it’s all about the candles. Candles are the best mood enhancers … bring in the rich, earthy scents of teakwood, rich cedar, musky sandalwood, and leathers. They look fantastic on mantels, dining tables, entryway tables, and coffee tables.

Gorgeous table settings: Nothing is more romantic or welcoming than a floral centerpiece and yes, more fall candles of every size beautifying your table. Fall is also about pumpkins, squashes, apples, and orange blooms — place them as is on the table or in a variety of containers, from water jugs and pitchers to wooden bowls and ceramic planters… let your imagination run free.

Fall ushers in back-to-school and quiet moments: If your child’s bedroom or your own lacks the square footage for a reading/study nook, in order for your school-age child to concentrate or for your personal wonderful getaway with a good tome, here are great ideas.

• Find a quiet corner or spot in your home is a good place to start. Your study/reading space can be as simple as placing a comfy chair in an unused corner, but if you really want a space that's comfortable for hours, consider a built-in design.
• It’s vital that you have adequate lighting, whether this is natural light coming through windows, candle lights, or even a lamp (floor or table).
• Just as a comfortable chair is essential, so is an area rug, a shelf or bookcase to hold your reading materials to add to the serenity and overall coziness of the space.
• Adding to the comfortability, you’ll want to pick a chair seating arrangement that best suits you. The Designers Edge team is currently loving the oversized cushions that you can sit on or lean against. Indigo has something similar to the oversized cushion, they have a faux fur back rest cushion that is a perfect addition to any reading nook.

Now, its time to head outdoors

Refresh your outdoor deck/patio: First off, set the tone you want to achieve by choosing your autumn aesthetic. Then, look at your furniture. Is it dated and worn? Usually, our outdoor furniture isn’t on the forefront of our minds when the wind starts to chill, but fall is the best time to update your outdoor accessories or furniture as many home good stores and local garden centres will start their end of season sales.

Once again, it’s all about lighting – whether its through oil lamps, solar powered lights, string lights throughout your trees, and if your requirements allow you – a firepit or fire table. For that ultimate outdoor oasis, nothing evokes that nostalgic appeal like firepits. Not only do they provide beautiful lighting for a warm and cozy ambience, but they also extend the length of your patio season and can be added to your backyard in more than one way. Firepits can now be centerpieces of your outdoor dining table, coffee table, or we can go back to our roots with a campfire style firepit in your backyard.

Outdoor patio umbrellas have come a long way from just providing shade in the summertime. Today’s contemporary umbrellas are super functional - they tilt and move to support different needs for added privacy and comfort. The newest trend in patio umbrellas have lights already built-in – offering some serious ambience!

Adding an outdoor rug helps to create visual gathering areas on your deck/patio. Depending on the amount of space you have, outdoor rugs can help separate your seating area, dining area, and contribute to the overall sense of comfort while you enjoy your outdoor space.