Curating Seasonal Favorites for Fall: A Gentle Transition & My Approach
There’s something undeniably comforting about the shift from summer to fall. The pace slows, the light softens, and our homes start to feel like the heart of the season again. As the crisp air rolls in and we start getting back into routines again, I always find myself reaching for the familiar comforts of fall—textured throws, moody candles, and little touches that celebrate the change in season.
Curating seasonal favorites has become one of my favorite quiet rituals. It’s less about buying all new things and more about intentionally bringing warmth and ease into our home as the weather shifts. Whether it’s pulling out a well-loved blanket or finding that one perfect new piece to layer in, I love the way these details can make a space feel grounded and full of life again.
Here’s how I approach transitioning our home for fall:
1. Start with the senses
Fall feels different—and your home should too. I begin by thinking about what scents, textures, and tones feel calming and warm right now. Scents such as a candle that smells like spiced fig or cedarwood, or even a simmering pot of cinnamon and clove is instant cozy. Textures such as woven baskets, chunky knit throws, velvet pillow covers—all things soft and grounding. Fall is full of sensory nostalgia so lean into it. And sight: the colors of plum, burgundy, mustard and brown are all fall favorites and can be incorporated in textiles and stems for example.
2. Edit, then add
Before pulling out a single pumpkin, I like to do a gentle reset. I clear away anything that feels too summery or busy, and make room for pieces that invite calm. I also do an inventory of what I have and what might be missing based on our home layout each year. I think of it as creating a blank canvas so that whatever I bring in really shines.
Then, I slowly start adding in the seasonal favorites: a cozy candle on the coffee table, a new wreath on the door, maybe some dried florals in warm tones. I try to keep the palette cohesive so everything feels intentional, not cluttered.
3. Bring in nature
Nature is the best fall decorator. I love incorporating branches, foraged leaves, or even just a bowl of seasonal fruit. It’s simple, affordable, and always beautiful.
Sometimes I’ll do a quick walk outside and come back with a few clippings that add instant warmth and life to our home. Last year my mother in law dropped off a bunch of hydrangea and I dried them all and cannot wait to bring them out again this year!
4. Highlight favorite corners
Rather than redecorating every room, I like to focus on a few spaces we spend the most time in—our living room, kitchen nook, and entryway. That way, the whole home feels cozy without being overdone.
Adding a warm lamp, a textured runner, or even just changing out kitchen towels can make those everyday corners feel brand new.
5. Make it personal
The best fall homes aren’t perfect—they’re personal. For me, that might mean layering in a homemade blanket, a framed photo from an autumn adventure with the kids, or letting the kids pick a pumpkin for the table. These little things hold memories and make the space feel lived in and loved.
As much as I love decorating, fall is never about rushing into trends or overfilling the home. It’s about settling in. Creating space to breathe, to gather, to rest. That’s what makes this season so special and why curating fall favorites always feels like the start of something peaceful and good for me.
