How to bring your summer decor into autumn

Are you ignoring the hints of red that are creeping into the trees outside? It’s OK: we’re clinging to the last weeks of summer too!

The good news is that it isn’t actually over yet though. In fact, we are still in full summer mode over here, even though we’re looking forward to autumn décor and the changing of the year.

Honestly, if you’ve spent as much time indoors this year as we have (thanks COVID-19), we’re not quite ready to overhaul our interiors completely just because the season is changing. Surely there are easier ways to update?

Read on for helpful ways we’re transitioning our homes from summer to autumn.

Working with autumn colour palettes to set the tone

If you think about it, the warm hues of traditional autumn colours (chocolate brown and rusty orange spring to mind) overlap a bit with summer colour choices such as fiery scarlet, juicy purple and coral pink.

We’ve seen pastel shades take a hit in 2020 anyway, with deeper more complex shades taking centre stage.

Autumn is the best time to show them off!

Assess the colours that are really speaking to you this summer, and choose which ones you’d like to see in your home as the hot weather is winding down.

Once you’ve got your palette ready, it’s time to get into action!

Decorative accessories

You don’t have to make major changes to your décor to pull off the transition from summer to autumn – there’s no need to get that paintbrush out unless you really want to.

Our advice is to add a few earth-tone pieces that vary in shade, and then work in layers. Perfection is overrated, don’t you think?

You don’t have to go to the far extremes of full-on minimalism if it stresses you out (don’t click this if you want to stay calm in the face of extreme maximalism).

Any kind of juxtaposition will help your home feel more homey – furniture with clean lines paired with choppy modern art, for example.

To get your juices flowing, let’s look at ‘hot’ decorative accessories you can bring into autumn:

1. Table settings – florals and rose gold are in. Make your dining table the visual centre of the space
2. Cut flowers and flower arrangements: if you’ve been working with faux flowers in the summer (let’s face it, the summer heat is killing our houseplants left, right and centre) then it’s really easy to mix your arrangements up with more ‘autumnal’ blooms and textural pieces
3. Wallpaper – patterned wallpaper is having A Moment, and classic design motifs like chinoiserie rule supreme. Working with wallpaper updates your interiors instantly. If you’re living in a rental property or you just don’t want to even think about the messy process of wallpapering, peel-and-stick wallpapers and tiles are everywhere right now
4. Autumn is a time where many of us think about getting outdoors, going for walks in the crisp air, or hiking on a fine day. With the novel Coronavirus still at large, bringing your outdoors inside is definitely an option. Did you know we have a whole range especially for outdoor use? Explore the possibilities of FibreGuard Outdoor and live your aesthetic no matter whether you're inside or out
5. Natural textures like wicker and wood, anything that feels rough and ready in the hand. Natural materials and neutral colours are a must

“Our clients are over the ‘one-stop-shop’ design resources and are taking the design of their homes to the next level by getting comfortable with mixing and matching old and new and even purchasing locally made souvenirs while on their travels to help tell the story of who they are.” — Lauren Buxbaum Gordon of Nate Berkus Associates. (source)

Choose materials that last

Choose decorative and furniture materials that last: the world will thank you. Upcycle if you like: how can you use your summer décor haul in the months to come?

We’re probably biased, but performance fabrics are a very smart investment. This is because, with consumer culture at an all-time high, the impetus to span more and collect as many pieces as possible, is everywhere.

“Fabrics and textiles are the finishing touches that make a design come alive. I love using different textures, such as wool, velvet, leather and silk. Using just one kind of fabric will make the design look a little flat. I love heavy linen curtains, velvety sofas and accent chairs in bouclé fabrics.” – Hanne Gathe, interior architect, in an interview on our blog

We’ve challenged ourselves to reassess what we already own and to put it to better use. Performance fabrics are useful here because they can create a functional home that fits every family member’s changing needs.

From the messiest of family rooms to elegant dining rooms, performance fabrics are key to maintaining your aesthetic without it costing the earth.

Learn more: About Our Stain-Resistant Drapery and Upholstery

Designing with décor trends as a guide

If you’re in a muddle about where to begin with colours and fabrics, it helps to look at what’s trending now in interior styling and take what you love.

• Modern Glam is less of a facelift of the Hollywood Regency interiors of old, and more of a combination of modern hybrid décor trends …with a generous touch of glitz. When comparing vintage glamour décor with modern glam…think old-school luxe meets fashion-forward thinking
• Japandi is essentially a mash-up of graceful Japanese minimalism with rustic Scandinavian simplicity. This décor style is centred on the creation of spaces that are calmingly minimalist and harmoniously beautiful. This trend is becoming ever more important as the months pass, as essentialism is emerging as a major theme in life as well as interior design in the wake of the pandemic
• Urban rustic style – also known as ‘modern farmhouse’. Read more about it in our Style Spotlight
• The Grandmillial style. We couldn’t create a list like this and leave it out, especially not after the House Beautiful article went absolutely viral last September. Also known as ‘granny chic’, it’s a revival of traditionalist design ideas and accents that would be seen as stuffy and utterly old-fashioned in mainstream culture. Perfect for autumn, no matter what you might think of it.

Where to find even more eye-candy

We hope you’ve loved our article about bringing your summer home stylings along into the cooler months of autumn! Check out our Pinterest for even more inspiration and interior decorating ideas.