A Cozy Home for Crisp Days: Your Guide to Fall Nesting

Lori Bitter
4 days ago
4 min read

There’s this moment every year—when the leaves crunch under your shoes, it’s darker earlier, and the mornings are crisp. It’s Fall in the Valley – you can smell the harvest, see the balloons up early in morning, and if you’re like me, you have the urge to make your home warmer, softer, and a little bit magical.

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Start with a Cozy Clean: Reset Your Space

Before you add anything new, make room for it. Do a “soft reset”- you don’t need to deep clean the whole house. Focus on the areas where you actually live your life in fall:

Living room (movie nights, reading, hot drinks)
Bedroom (cooler nights = more blankets, better sleep)
Entryway (where coats, boots, and bags pile up)

Here’s a quick fall reset checklist:

Clear flat surfaces (coffee table, nightstand, counters)
Put away strictly “summer” items (summer bags, sandals, bright summer decor)
Wash or air out throws and pillow covers
Vacuum rugs and under sofas (dust makes spaces feel stale)

Layer Textures Like You Layer Clothes

Cozy is less about adding things and more about the feeling of what you add. Texture does a lot of heavy lifting. It’s what makes the space feel like you want to curl up and stay awhile. Don’t worry about being “matchy” but stick to two maybe three textures in a space. Try some of these old and new materials:

Chunky knits – throw blankets, pillow covers
Faux fur or sherpa – one pillow or small throw instantly feels luxe and warm
Flannel – sheets, pillowcases, or even a lap blanket
Woven or boucle fabrics – for cushions or poufs

Don’t forget your floors. If your floors are hard (wood, tile, vinyl), add:

A soft rug by the sofa
A fluffy rug by your bed so your feet hit something warm in the morning
A washable runner in the kitchen

Warm Up Your Color Palette (Without Repainting Anything)

You don’t need to repaint or replace furniture to make your home feel like fall. Just shift the accents. Even one rust-toned pillow and a warm throw can change the whole vibe of a room. These easy fall colors are muted and warm additions to your home:

Rust, terracotta, camel
Deep olive or forest green
Mustard or warm gold
Warm browns and taupes
Deep berry or burgundy

Use neutral basics like cream, beige, and oatmeal to balance deep colors. Do simple swaps like changing out pillow covers (they’re easier to store than seasonal pillows) or add one or two throws in warmer tones.

Shift Your Lighting to Soft and Glowy

Ditch overhead, bright lighting to warm and cozy lighting. Use table lamps and floor lamps for a warm glow. Try some battery-operated candles for a soft flicker without worry about fire. Look for bulbs labeled “Soft white” or around 2700K–3000K for warmer, cozier light. Try this bonus tip: Put a couple of lamps on timers or smart plugs so they come on around sunset. Walking into a softly lit space feels instantly comforting.

Engage All the Senses

Cozy is a full-body experience. Scent is the fastest mood-setter and smells of fall can range from classic – pumpkin and cinnamon to more subtle fragrances:

Fresh & cozy: vanilla, sandalwood, amber, cashmere
Forest-y: cedar, pine, fir, eucalyptus
Warm bakery: apple, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar

Candles are great, but so are essential oil diffusers and simmer pots that you can do on your stovetop. Try adding water, orange peel, cinnamon stick and cloves and simmering.

Consider sound. Make a fall playlist or ask Alexa to create one! Many people love their sound machines for sleeping but consider the other ambient noises like rain, a crackling fire, or a soft wind.

Feeling comfortable wins! Think about the things you touch or that touch you. Add some fluffy slippers or thick, comfy socks as your work from home attire. Add a fluffy rug or cushion to your favorite chair or bench. Keep a wonderful lotion for your hands and feet as cooler temperatures dry your skin. A scarf in a cashmere blend on a chilly morning feels terrific.

Bring a Little Green Inside

You can celebrate fall with gourds or pumpkins and the holidays with evergreens but consider a few green plants in your décor. Bringing nature into your environment has all kinds of advantages. In my study of Biophilic Design, I’ve learned that adding natural elements like plants, wood, stone, or other natural elements, can reduce stress, increase productivity and creativity, and foster a sense of calm.

Remember - Cozy Doesn’t Mean Cluttered

It’s easy to go overboard and suddenly feel smothered by stuff. For every new decor item, try to remove or store one. Keep at least one or two surfaces mostly clear. Focus on items that you genuinely love!