Words by Tracey Hague, interior design expert and director at Where Saints Go
Autumn is the favourite season for many, and with the UK summer being a little rainier than we’d like, many of us are already looking ahead to the cosier months. As the new season approaches, what better way to prepare than with an interior refresh? Below, I’ll be sharing my tips for incorporating all the luxury and cosiness of the autumn season into your interior décor.
2023 autumn trends
If you’re looking for décor inspiration then annual trends can provide a great starting point. Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to stick to your chosen trend absolutely, but it can offer up some ideas that you can pick and choose from – in fact, mixing up your styles is a great way to ensure a sense of sophistication and timelessness in your home. Below, I’ll outline how you can take two of 2023’s biggest interior trends, comfortcore and natural luxe, into autumn.
Comfortcore
Unlike past trends like ‘cottagecore’, ‘comfortcore’ focuses on the lifestyle your interiors can bring. As we start to spend more time indoors this season, we’re looking for interiors that prioritise comfort over style. Look for high-quality chairs made from sturdy and luxurious materials such as solid wood, leather, and velvet that are designed to last, ensuring they stay comfortable in the long term.
Comfortcore also leans heavily into nostalgia and personality, so why not create a little nook to enjoy your favourite hobbies in? For example, you could dedicate a corner of your living room to a reading or music corner, adding a small shelf and an accent chair to relax and unwind in.
Natural luxe
Natural luxe really came into the forefront over spring and summer, but this trend’s focus on all things nature makes it the perfect choice for autumn and winter too. A neutral colour palette of white, cream, black, grey, and brown is a mainstay of the natural luxe aesthetic, helping to bring the outside indoors in a minimalistic way. For autumn, you may want to focus more on warmer tones such as chocolate brown and slate grey to add some cosiness to your space.
Alongside natural luxe colour palettes, look for furniture made from organic materials. Dark wood finishes are particularly apt for the cosier months helping to bring some warmth as well as style. Houseplants will inject some much-needed greenery into your space as the leaves turn golden outside. If you choose artificial plants, they’ll stay lush all year round!
Choose warm and cosy tones
Warm, earthy tones are always a winner this time of year and while traditional autumnal colours like mustard, ochre, caramel, and olive green will add a cosy feel to your space, 2023 is all about blue and red. Bright pops of cherry, burgundy, and deep inky blue will bring a fresher, richer, and more sophisticated feel to your space without losing any of the season’s warmth. If you’re looking for something a little more neutral, choose muted, organic shades like wheat, or paler tones such as sage green, plaster pink, or a soft sunset orange.
Incorporate plenty of texture
Autumn is the perfect time to hunker down and make the most of the dark and chilly nights. Just as you’d wrap up in layers of clothing at this time of year, layering your furnishings and accessories can add some extra interest and cosiness to your space.
Adorn your bed and sofa with plenty of scatter cushions and drape a throw or two around your living space. Look for blankets and throws made from soft, insulating materials such as cotton, cashmere, and merino wool, which won’t just keep you toasty but will add some rich texture to your interiors.
Rugs can be layered too for some extra warmth and interest underfoot. When layering rugs, try to combine different patterns, sizes, and materials to let each rug shine in its own right. For example, choose a minimalistic style as your base, then layer with one or more patterned options. It’s also a good idea to layer flatweave rugs rather than those with lots of texture, as these will sit nicely on top of each other. If you want to include a deep pile rug, layer this at the very top.
Don’t forget lighting
You might not immediately consider lighting when it comes to decorating, but just like layering textures, layered lighting can add depth to the space and help boost the overall cosiness of any room. Alongside your main light source (ambient lighting), be sure to layer different forms of light such as lamps and under-cabinet lights (task and ambient lighting) along with decorative lighting such as fairy lights and candles of various sizes. Try to choose warm-toned lights as the yellow hue will make your home feel cosy and intimate.
Embrace seasonal scents
Scents can make a huge difference to the feeling of a space so scatter a few candles and diffusers around your home to fill it with a subtle autumnal atmosphere. Heavy scents such as cedar, musk, tobacco, and amber are perfect for the autumn months, helping to create the feeling of leather armchairs by crackling fires. If you prefer sweeter scents, look for notes of vanilla, sandalwood, jasmine, and patchouli which are sophisticated and sweet without being overpowering.
The new season is the perfect excuse to switch up your décor. As we head into autumn, why not give a few of these ideas a try to add some cosiness and warmth to your space? For more interior tips and advice, take a look at the homes & gardens features at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
