15 Quick and Simple Ways to Prep Your Home for the Fall Season
As we enter August and fall gets ever closer, it’s time to plan for early fall decorating. Transitioning from summer to early fall decor doesn’t require a complete decorating overhaul or a massive budget to create that perfect autumn atmosphere. To help you style the fall decor look you want, I’ve gathered 15 quick and simple ways to prep your home for the fall season.
The smallest changes can make the biggest impact. Whether you’re craving warm autumn colors, textured throws, or that signature fall fragrance wafting through your rooms, transitioning your summer decor doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
The best fall seasonal decorating happens gradually, layering in cozy elements while keeping what’s already working in your space.
Decorating for fall isn’t a “do-it-all-overnight” sprint. It’s a transition that can take place over several weeks up to a couple of months.
Ready to embrace that warm, inviting fall vibe? Let’s look at 15 of the easiest ways to transform your bright summer space into a cozy autumn retreat that you’ll love spending time in all season long.
Early Fall Colors
Transitioning to early fall can begin in mid-August to mid-September. The exact time is up to you. Since fall season lasts a full three months, from September to November. September is the month that introduces fall into our design aesthetic. The focus is on color and decorative accessories.
September Colors – A “Soft Opening”
What fall color palette is best for September, easing our homes from summer to fall?
This seasonal color scheme works especially well because it bridges the gap between summer’s brightness and deeper fall tones, creating the perfect early autumn atmosphere without feeling heavy or seasonal.
- white, cream, beige, taupe, mushroom, oatmeal, linen, camel, and caramel
- soft peach, coral pink, apricot
- lavender gray
- soft lilac
- eucalyptus
- sage
- sea foam
- moss green
September Decorative Accessories – To Pumpkin or Not to Pumpkin
These accessories can be layered gradually throughout August and September to create that perfect early fall atmosphere. If you bring pumpkins into the mix, be sure that they are in the September color palette.
- dried wheat stalks and pampas grass
- fall florals in the September color palette
- lighter fall textiles like chenille, flannel and fleece
- eucalyptus branches and greenery
- dried hydrangeas
- aspen and birch bark accents
- natural wood candlesticks, bowls and trays
- books covered in burlap and craft paper
- woven baskets and trays in natural materials
- jute and sisal rugs
- warm-toned LED candles
- lanterns (wood, metal, or glass)
- string lights with warm bulbs
- candle holders in natural wood tones
Warm Up Your Space: 15 Simple Summer to Fall Decor Shifts
In these summer-to-fall transitions, you will find a wealth of information and lovely photos to inspire you. All the tips and suggestions will give you more autumn decorating ideas than you can use.
You will find some repetition. Many decorators and home decor bloggers share similar ideas. It’s the photos that will give you a personal visual interpretation of how you can prep your home for early fall.
I’m sharing 11 early fall prep resources and then a few of my own.
Enjoy them all.
Early Fall Colors in Accessories
Jelica of A Pretty Fix shares her tried and true favorite ways that never fail to prepare your home for the crisper, more colourful days ahead.
Ways to Switch to Early Fall
Olivia of Olivia Heater has 10 simple ways to make the switch from summer to fall home decor.
Early Fresh Fall Florals
Robyn’s French Nest shares how to start getting cozy now with 15 favorite easy ideas to transition from summer to fall decor.
Use Seasonal Fruit
Annie of Most Lovely Things shares the simplest ideas for starting the transition from summer to fall decor, such as a simple plate of pears on a large coffee tble book iwth a brown binding and a rust-colored vase.
Pile on the Pumpkins with Neutral Colors
Andrea of The Cottage Market shares her pretty home decorated for early fall. If you can’t wait for pumpkins, then use them in soft, neutral colors with dried hydrangeas.
Fall Decorative Vignette
Suzy of Worthing Court shares a great 4-week timeline to help you transition from summer to fall. Plus, she has beautiful images to share, like this mantel with a lovely chinoiserie vase and branches from her back yard with a fall vibe.
Bring the Outdoors Inside for Fall
As a class-A gardener, Stacy of Stacy Ling knows how to infuse the indoors with seasonal color. She shows you how to use fall colors indoors when it’s barely almost fall.
Neutral Fall Floral Ideas
Need some lovely photos for inspiration? Rachel of Sprucing Up Mama Hood has 8 tips and lovely photos to share, like this early fall use of white ceramic vases in matte finishes filled with fall florals and sheaves of wheat. Even a small bowl of wood pears piques your interest.
Use Fall Patterns
Rebekah of A Blissful Nest shares five impactful ideas to transition to fall with a light touch, including how to use patterns in fall pillows. Each pillow is so different, but together they whisper fall.
Using Natural Materials
Easing into fall from summer will be a breeze with these 7 simple ideas from Jen of Midwest Life and Style. Aren’t those large brown glass jars amazing?
Neutral Color Palette Natural Materials
Heronwood Cabinetry offers some lovely suggestions for styling your home for the changing of the seasons. I love the simplicity of this neutral fall arrangement on the natural wood coffee table. Even the dog is in the perfect fall color!
One Step at a Time to Fall Decor
Barbara of Nature Way shares how she transitions her home from summer to fall, bringing the warmth of autumn into your home using just snippets of time and by making just a few little changes to your decor.
More Fall Styling Ideas
These three fall vignettes are perfect for summer-to-fall transition time.
Let me know what you think of these early fall decorating resources. They will get you off to a great start with summer-to-fall transition for your home.
Check out these Fall Pinterest-related Pinterest Boards: Fall Home Decor, Fall Mantels, Home Decor.
I hope you PIN this post, visit each resource, and PIN each one.
Your pictures are inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Sally. I’m so glad you enjoy them.