Transitional Fall Decor Ideas that Don't Suck (Part I)

I love home decor. My Pinterest searches involve either one of two things: home decor or food. I love how someone's home can speak volumes about their personality, just like their food tastes can. I always say, let me taste your pasta sauce and I'll tell you who you are.




September can be a tricky home decor and fashion month, because one day there's frigid wind and then the next day it's blazing hot. As we move deeper into the month, HomeSense and Walmart are filled with red, yellow and orange everything. Now, don't get me wrong, nature is absolutely breathtaking in the fall...but you have to admit, some fall decor that you find in store is nothing short of tacky.

My decor style is very neutral, where all my furniture is either grey/black or wood tones. That way, I can easily change the look and feel of my environment for a much lower cost. One of my favourite ways to do this is with throw pillows and blankets. Nothing says fall like a warm, cozy blanket...(clearly still thinking about sleep from that other post).

With that said, today we're going to go through four different transitional fall decor ideas that aren't tacky or overly dramatic, but will help you welcome the new season in a subtle and classy way.

Muted Mauve: For the Subtle Decorator

From Left to Right: Chairish; Kohl's; Society 6; Schoolhouse

This is easily one of my favourite transitional sets, because it doesn't incorporate anything overtly fall but still communicates the change of season. Think of this as the 'I just want to dip my toe into the chilly lake that is fall, but I don't want to fully commit to it' set. I figured we'd start out slowly for the autumn sceptics, okay?

Why it Works

• Colour: The smokey lavender pillows have a muted tone, which replaces the bright colours of summer that we've been enjoying. This imitates the softer tones that occur in nature during this time. The same goes for the grey pillow and plaid throw blanket, offering cooler tones, just like the dropping temperatures. Finally, the 'Blessed' pillow prevents the set from being too cool toned (and. thus, wintery) through the browns and muted greens that compliment the smokey lavender pillows.
• Texture: You'll notice that these sets go through a similar pattern of mixing colour and texture to create the desired feel. First, the velvet pillows instantly provide a cozy texture, as the rich fabric is not only soft, but gives off a luxurious metallic sheen. Then, the cable-knit textured pillow emulates your favourite sweater, making it super fall appropriate. Similarly, the plaid fringed throw reminds you of that flannel shirt you pair with your favourite sweater, which brings you back to last year's autumn bonfires with friends... I can almost hear the wood crackling.
• Text: Last but not least, use words to evoke thoughts of fall! When we think of this season, we usually think of Pumpkin Spice Lattes (gross for me, maybe delightful for you), cozy blankets, crunchy leaves and Thanksgiving. Turkey, stuffing and pies galore, I get tingles awaiting that blessed food coma. With that said, many take this time to reflect on all that they are grateful for (and there's much to be grateful for)! Having a pillow with the word 'Blessed' makes people think of Thanksgiving, which is just the element we need to prevent this set from looking too wintery. 

Crunchy Leaves: For your Inner Boho

From Left to Right: Chairish; Charish; Nordstrom; Chairish; Target

This one is for my boho friends, the ones who love natural fibres and whimsical home decor. You can still participate in autumnal decorating without sacrificing your personal style! Macrame for all!

Why it Works

• Colour: Here, we have a classic fall colour...mustard yellow. This is a great transitional colour because it's not fully saturated, much like the leaves outside. We also have the rich, brown lumbar pillow, which, together with the mustard yellow one, really ties together the fall theme. Pro tip: By removing the mustard pillow, this set easily becomes a more neutral, everyday arrangement, so if your couch or bed looks something like this already, you only really need one 'fall-coloured' pillow to recreate it.
• Texture: Texture plays a huge part in the 'boho' decorating style. As previously mentioned, natural fibres are everything, which can be seen here with the natural linen, brown leather and organic cotton pillows. Moreover, the tassels on the cream blanket and the striped pillows keep the style alive in an endearing and fun way. This set makes me think of sipping a french vanilla or cup of tea on chilly afternoons. 

Crisp Autumn Morn: For the One who Loves Colour

From Left to Right: Chairish; Chairish; Chairish; Chairish; Society6; Chairish

Don't get crazy! I'm not one for much colour, so this is on the daring side for me. However, there's something almost magical about this set. It makes me think of a walk in the deep forest on a foggy October day. Time to pull out that stunning army green utility jacket!  

Why it Works

• Colour: We're getting bold! Here we have some richly saturated colours, such as the teal and forrest green. Together with the cognac, these deep greens remind us of the forrest, and all things woodsy. We soften up the arrangement with the cream pillow, and tie the look together with the gold leather one. 
• Texture: Like the bohemian look, this set incorporates a lot of texture. Starting with the velvet pillows and moving to the sweater knit one, we create feelings of warmth and comfort. This is then balanced by the pom-pom blanket and the leather pillow, which results in an overall balanced look. 
• Text: Again, we have this adorable 'The Snuggle is Real' pillow that really drives home the feelings of cozy that autumn evokes. 
• Pro tip: Like the boho arrangement, this set could easily be transformed into the next season by removing the cognac pillow and the text pillow, in favour of a winter or Christmas pattern).

Early Frost: For the One who Just Can't Wait for Christmas

From Left to Right: Chairish, Chairish, Target, Target

For all my Christmas enthusiasts...this one's for you! You're basically cheating with this one, because it's a winter look with one element of warmth so you can tell you friend "Of course this is fall appropriate...don't you see the olive green? I basically just recreated your outfit". 

Why it Works

• Colour: Now, this one is a little different, because it incorporates deep blues. Not really your first thought when you think of fall. But, just think of the frost on your front lawn and car on those chilly fall mornings...it can pass, right? Right? This one's for you if you're not really into the limiting red, yellow or orange colour scheme. We did bring in a classic fall colour, though, which is olive green. I personally love this colour, and you can easily take it out when winter rolls around. 
• Texture: Velvet...it's great, okay? What's different in this one is the patterned velvet pillow, which is great because it's a leaf print. Very subtle and classy. The faux fur pillow is perfect as well, because it adds another element of cozy, along with the cable knit sweater blanket.

Basically, decorating is using the same pattern of colour and texture over and over again in order to create a balanced and cohesive look in your home. There's something so fascinating about home decor to me, because something as simple as your couch can evoke so many different feelings and memories. Don't underestimate the power of a beautifully styled home. 

I hope these sets inspired you to think outside of the typical fall-coloured box, and got you excited about this changing season (even though it could be summer forever and I wouldn't complain). 

Have a gorgeous weekend!