Fall Home Trends to Avoid and What to Buy Instead, According to an Interior Designer

Check out these warm looks to create a cozy autumn home.

During the fall season when it starts to get chilly outside, everyone wants to make their home feel warm and welcoming . Autumn ushers in a change of interior designs, going from summery styles to fall-inspired colors and patterns. But there are so many new fall décor ideas to choose from. If you’re new to decorating your home for fall and want to incorporate some fresh interior design trends, which materials, imagery, and hues should you go for?

We asked Miranda Cullen, founder and principal designer at Inside Stories , to share her tips on what new fall trends to watch out for and how to integrate them into a home. She shared what décor ideas she has her eye on right now, identifying products you can scoop up too. So, whether you’re hoping to completely refurbish your fall home or are only looking to add a few new statement pieces, we have all the fall must-haves to inspire you.

Interior Designer-Recommended Home Decor

• Miulee Pack of Two Decorative Velvet Throw , $14 (was $17)
• Winemana Pumpkins Fall Decor Indoor , $27
• Pumpkin Candle Holder Wrought Iron with Copper Finish , $5 (was $12)
• Touch Dimmable Crystal Lamp , $22 with coupon (was $31)
• Snuggle Hollow Ceramic Vase Set of Two , $26 with coupon (was $30)
• Earthwood Bark Sides Olive Wood Bowl , $18
• Battilo Home Burnt Orange Throw Blanket for Couch , $28 with promo code (was $36)
• Signwin Premium Framed Wall Art Autumn Trees in Sunlight by Camille Pissarro Historic Classical , $76
• Mae Bird Small Basket Set of Two , $75 (was $80)
• Woho Candlestick Holders Set of Four , $20 (was $24)

Don’t: Generic Word Art PillowsDo: Brown Velvet Pillows

Miulee Pack of Two Decorative Velvet Throw

$17

$14

For a cozy fall home, who wouldn’t want to pop out a few throw pillows. However, word art pillows saying things like “fall,” “cozy,” or “home” are so last season. While some décor aesthetics still embrace this style—think modern farmhouse homes—you shouldn’t opt for this word art on pillows for fall anymore, says Cullen. If you’re wanting a fall look that isn’t stale, choose brown velvet pillows instead. “They are very on trend for fall,” says Cullen, “as they incorporate both the colors and textures of the season.” She recommends styling them alongside cozy blankets in living spaces. Add them to your bedroom for the perfect cozy sleep sanctuary .

Don’t: Traditional Orange PumpkinsDo: Textured Gold Pumpkins

Winemana Pumpkins Fall Decor Indoor

$27

Kind of the same as your typical orange pumpkin but with a double dose of glam, textured gold pumpkins elevate your usual gourd display. “These textured gold pumpkins are a great way to incorporate autumn décor in a way that’s upscale and on trend,” Cullen says. “Style them on a tablescape, a coffee table, or a decorative fall mantle .” Whereas traditional orange pumpkins can be overdone, these pumpkins are stylish and hip. You can also easily mix them in with your other pumpkins to add pops of gold next to your Cinderella or ghost variety pumpkins.

Don’t: Giant Mason Jar CandlesDo: Petite Candle Holders

Pumpkin Candle Holder Wrought Iron with Copper Finish

$12

$5

For a time, they were everywhere: the giant mason jar candles. They come in charming smells like “fall harvest” and “vanilla pumpkin,” but they don’t add much in the way of décor to a home—unless you are looking for a more rustic vibe (we get it, cottage core is beautiful in our book). However, if you’re looking for a fresh fall start that leans into elegance, may we suggest petite candle holders for a chic style? Candles and fall go hand in hand to make a cozy home, says Cullen. So, this iron pumpkin candle holder is the perfect addition to your seasonal décor. “This piece is subtle but still on theme with the season,” says Cullen. Style alongside other candles of different sizes and shapes for visual variety, she adds. Not to mention, the candle holder would work great in a Thanksgiving tablescape .

Don’t: Twinkle LightsDo: Simple Lamp

Touch Dimmable Crystal Lamp

$31

$22

For Cullen, cozy lighting is an essential aspect of fall décor. And we agree. But too many strands of twinkly lights can make your home seem like a dorm room. Hence, it’s all about finding the right amount and right source of lighting. “This battery powered lamp emits a soft warm glow, which is perfect for setting the vibe on a chilly fall evening,” says Cullen. She adds that this lamp would also look great on an end table, on a desk, or in an office space.

Don’t: Mason Jar BouquetsDo: Intricate Ceramic Vase

Snuggle Hollow Ceramic Vase Set of Two

$30

$26

If you want to inspire a feeling of warmth in your home, you have to think carefully about the materials you rely on. Glass mason jars are charming, but the material feels cold—while perfect for setting the right tone for a winter wonderland, maybe not indicative of a warm fall kitchen or living space. So, when fall rolls around and you want to ditch the fresh flowers for more seasonal arrangements like pampas grass and dried florals, opt instead for a ceramic vase. “This ceramic vase is the perfect complement to the colors and textures of fall flower arrangements,” says Cullen.

Don’t: Bowls with Autumn PatternsDo: Wood Bowls

Earthwood Bark Sides Olive Wood Bowl

$18

Don’t get us wrong, autumn patterns on glass or ceramic bowls are cute, yet there’s another way to usher in the warmth of the season. A big trend in décor this fall, says Cullen, is utilizing natural materials in design. “This wooden bowl has a natural finish and is a wonderful complement to other fall décor,” she says. It also complements plenty of earthy paint colors , so you can add it to just about any room. Style the bowl by filling it with other seasonal items like wicker pumpkins, mini real gourds, dried florals or grasses.

Don’t: Orange Textured Throw BlanketDo: White Faux Fur Blanket

Battilo Home Burnt Orange Throw Blanket for Couch,

$36

$28

Faux fur blankets add coziness and charm to an abode, but they—especially in white and blue hues—are best added to a winter home. Fall home décor, like the season itself, is a careful balance between inspiring warmth without being too sweltering in actual temperature. And faux fur, while cozy, can be a bit too hot when you wrap yourself up in it. That’s why Cullen suggests a thin but comfortable orange fall throw blanket . “Blankets are a great item to switch in and out with the seasons as they are functional, beautiful, and cost effective,” says Cullen. “This orange textured throw is great for this fall season as it adds a nice pop of color [that] can also keep you cozy on a chilly autumn night.”

Don’t: Framed Word ArtDo: Painting of Autumn Scenes

Signwin Premium Framed Wall Art Autumn Trees in Sunlight by Camille Pissarro Historic Classical

$76

Instead of signs that spell out the season—like “Happy Fall,” “Cozy Season,” “Gather,” etc.—look to the classics. Cullen says you can’t do better than a timeless piece of art. Nature scenes have been drawn and painted by great artists throughout history, a powerful muse many creative geniuses continue to return to. So, a painting depicting fall scenes is a work of art that will still feel on trend each year. “This fall framed piece would be the perfect addition to a fall themed mantle or a gallery wall,” says Cullen.

Don’t: Generic ContainersDo: Wicker Baskets

Mae Bird Small Basket Set of Two

$80

$75

There’s no reason to throw out perfectly fine containers. However, you can swap out your generic containers for those made with fall-inspired materials. “Rattan is a classic texture and material associated with fall,” says Cullen. “And these baskets also include a scalloped edge, which adds a pretty and unique twist on a traditional design.” So put away your generic containers for another season and pick these festive baskets instead.

Don’t: Bulky Wood VotivesDo: Pumpkin Colored Glass Candle Holders

Woho Candlestick Holders Set of 4

$24

$20

Chunky wood votives fit a summer cottage style home with ease. A warm fall home, not so much. Hence, you’ll want to put away the bulky wood votives and choose something that feels fall-inspired. “These candle holders have a beautiful translucent orange color and an interesting shape and texture,” says Cullen. These candle holders add visual interest to a fall tablescape and just the right pop of color, she adds.

For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Real Simple .

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.