Decorating your apartment for fall

With fall in the air, our minds turn easily to cozy images of cheery fireside chats, warm apple cider and bulky sweaters…but is your space ready to make the leap? With these six easy decorating ideas, it’ll be a snap to get into the mood for autumn!

1. Take advantage of the holidays!

First comes Halloween, then comes Thanksgiving, and both of these holidays mean that stores will be filled with seasonal decorating ideas. From spray-painted pumpkins to glittery witch brooms, look for décor that can make the transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving with just a few changes, so you can get more bang for your decorating dollar. Even a strand of orange fairy lights to decorate a wreath of autumn leaves can be switched out for a strand of white lights to take you easily from October to November!

2. When in doubt, bring the outdoors in

There’s something about fall that makes you really appreciate being outdoors—the crisp scent of pine cones, the sound of crackling leaves underfoot, and the brisk breeze rustling through the trees. Capture that feeling with little signs of nature throughout your home. Whether you get your pinecones, tree branches and fall leaves at the market or in the park, make sure they’re clean and free of any debris or bugs, then bring them inside to create your autumn oasis!

3. Candles, candles, everywhere (but be safe!)

Nothing says fall as much as the bright, cheery light of a candle, and today’s “flame-free” battery-operated candles mean you can light up the night while being safe as well. Consider flickering flame votives that are scented with cinnamon, spice and pumpkin to add more power to your candle punch. Even if you don’t want to light scented natural candles, many of them can add fragrance to a room without being lit, or you can use scented diffuser sticks dipped in oil to set the mood.

4. Throws and pillows and blankets and more pillows…

Autumn is the quintessential time of cuddling up, so it’s the perfect opportunity to drape comfy blankets on your couches, chairs and at the edge of your bed. Mix and match colors to create a bohemian vibe, or stick to variations on a simple palette for cool, classy comfort. Your choices are endless!

5. Pumpkins and fall flowers

Whether you prefer your gourds large or small, spray painted with bright colors, bedazzled, or soft and monochromatic, pumpkins are the official decorating mascot of fall. Pair small pumpkins with a spray of fall flowers for a fantastic centerpiece, trail them whimsically along a shelf or across a kitchen counter, or set them up in small collections in each of your rooms to keep the spirit of fall alive throughout the next few months.

6. Make a wreath!

Don’t wait for Christmas to put a wreath on your door! Fall wreaths can make you smile every time you return home. Whether you use natural ingredients or great finds from the craft store, create a fall masterpiece with berries, leaves, woven grape vines, mini pumpkins and more. Here’s to a happy fall for you and your apartment!