Fall back in love with your living room with these 12 cozy and comforting fall decor ideas for creating a relaxing retreat

As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it's the perfect time to refresh your living room with cozy fall decor. Living room fall decor ideas are pretty much at the top of our list at the moment. And for obvious reasons, when you consider that the most used room in a home is the living space.

The good news is, that transitioning your space with fall decor ideas doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Instead, small touches like adding plush textures, warmer and effortlessly elegant color schemes, and elevating the space with seasonal accessories will only help to make your home feel more snug and special during the colder winter months.

There are plenty of big – and small – updates you can make to your living room ideas to make the space feel more seasonal; these are 12 of our favorites.

12 Cozy Fall Living Room Decor Ideas

This is how to embrace living room fall decor that invites warmth, coziness and lustrous layers into your home.

1. Start by switching our your vignettes

One of the simplest and quickest mini-makeovers you can do is to update your vignettes. A vignette, whether it’s a styled coffee table grouping, a mantel arrangement, or a full bookshelf, offers the perfect opportunity to infuse seasonal charm.

'I always like to update the decor vignettes on my living room mantelpiece for the changing seasons,' suggests interior designer Kathy Kuo. Fall decor thrives on layering so think of textures, patterns, and materials that work together to create visual interest. Foliage is an easy one, as well as swapping out summery, bright-colored candles for more autumnal shades like amber or deep burgundy.

'For fall, that means adding vases made from concrete or natural stone and filling them with sprigs of fall foliage, and also adding some clusters of autumnal scented candles and stacks of vintage books that have a little bit of a haunted aura,' Kathy adds.

2. Layer lighting across your living room

Having the right living room lighting is important no matter what time of year, but it is during fall and winter – when the days become shorter and the nights longer – that good lighting can really make a difference in the overall mood and ambiance of the space.

The key to a successful lighting scheme is having plenty of layered lighting dotted around the room. As seen in the cozy, retro living room space seen above by Soho Home.

From cozy table lamps placed upon side tables and sideboards to tall floor lamps positioned beside a sofa or lounge chair – not to mention plenty of candles and twinkling string lights – all of these lighting elements can work together as one to make you space feel more cozy, warm and relaxing.

3. Create a moody fall scheme with paint

Rich, deep fall color schemes like charcoal, navy, forest green, and terracotta can instantly bring a sense of warmth and coziness to such a relaxing space. And of course, fall is the perfect season to experiment with these darker tones.

'For fall 2024, I predict there's going to be a trend towards a sort of 'haunted dark academia' look, rather than the preppy-harvest look that's been popular the last few years,' adds Kathy Kuo. 'I like the idea of building on the dark academia look – which is really an aesthetic you can embrace year-round – and creating a vibe that's spooky and seasonal, yet still very sophisticated.

'There's no reason to go overboard with orange pumpkins simply because the calendar has turned a page.'

4. Dress a fall fireplace with finds from your yard

Fall mantel ideas can instantly lend a cheery feel, and they're always at their most charming when they have been created with seasonal finds from your backyard (or a florist).

'This is the perfect time to scavenge in your yard for outdoor fall decor ideas that can come inside: seedheads, flowerheads that are spent but still shapely, and even ornamental grasses,' says Homes & Gardens' gardens editor, Rachel Crow.

'A few small branches from pine trees, a pile of pumpkins, and seasonal flowers, whether real or faux, can all create a riot of color and scent.' Choosing the best luxury candles that can also heighten these scents, and cast a soft glow around your living room.

5. Embrace a relaxing, neutral fall scheme

If you thought neutral living room ideas weren't a wise choice for fall, think again. Even a light living room that's lacking in color can still be bursting with visual appeal.

'I love working with a neutral color palette because it can really translate to any design style,' says interior designer and TV personality Bobby Berk. 'But the key to doing it successfully is to embrace a variety of elements that will add interest.'

'Think about pieces that draw the eye, like sculptural vases, patterned cushions or a graphic living room rug for warmth and interest. Layering these items will make a room come to life, even when using only neutral shades. These elements can also bring in an array of tones and patterns that will make the space much more dynamic, too.'

6. Cocoon the room in wallpaper or a mural

Introducing a wall covering is a stunning way to refresh your living room for fall while ensuring the design feels timeless and relevant throughout the year. Opting for a wallpaper with natural motifs, abstract patterns, or soft tones can create a backdrop that complements the cozy autumnal vibe without feeling too seasonal.

When selecting wallpaper, think about longevity. You want something that will enhance your fall decor but still feel appropriate in spring and summer. The striped Kirby Grasscloth Wallpaper by Lulu & Georgia above is a great example of a cozy print that can be accessorized depending on the season.

In fall, you can layer them with rich, textured throws and warm metallic accents, and when the weather warms up, switch to lighter textiles and bright accessories.

7. Add warmth to cooler schemes with layering

Gray living room ideas are perennially popular, but while they feel fabulously serene in summer, they can feel a little cool in fall and winter, especially if you're trying to keep a north-facing room feeling cozy. If warm colors aren't your thing, you can quickly make a living room feel fall-ready with plenty of layering.

The simple addition of blankets, throws, cushions, and rugs in a living room can make the space feel instantly more welcoming. Store away these items in summer, and bring them back out in fall when the temperatures dip.

Adding depth through different textures not only makes the room feel cozier but also more dynamic. Mixing textures like wool, leather, and boucle helps to break up the coolness and adds an inviting, lived-in feel.

8. Create a cozy living room with upholstery

Your living room should feel like a cozy and comforting retreat during the fall and winter; and cocoon you in soft texture and warmth as you escape the harsh, cold weather outdoors.

'Texture and layering is all about creating tactile moments that invite touch,' says Tiffany Leigh, of Tiffany Leigh Design. 'It refers to the feel, appearance, or consistency of a surface or material. Textures help to keep a space from feeling flat or one dimensional, making them optimal for fall and winter living rooms.'

By having plenty of upholstered furniture and accessories such as chunky, woven knit blankets, throws, and window treatments your space will only feel more snug. Opt for fabrics that feel luxurious to the touch, like velvet or chenille, which can add both warmth and sophistication to your living room.

A new piece of furniture like an armchair or couch can transform the feel of your living room. Choose materials that are not only soft and soothing but also durable enough to withstand all those cozy nights in with the entire family (including the dog).

9. Mix and match modern and natural finishes

A timeless decorating trick is to mix old and new for a transitional style. The contrast between sleek, contemporary design and organic, earthy materials creates a sense of warmth for the new season. In the fall, natural materials like wool, jute, and leather can help soften modern, industrial elements, creating a more inviting and layered look.

Combining the warmth of a rural retreat with the opulence of a Georgian townhouse, this living room fall decor look is perfect for those looking to create a seasonal hibernation spot for winter.

‘Accessories with texture and a visual point of difference create layers of interest in a room,’ says Claire Hornby. ‘A velvet cushion or throw for example, provides both decorative opulence as well as adding a comforting tactile element that further enhances a homely, inviting feel.’

10. Lean into an eclectic, bohemian living room style

A bohemian living room space is all about creating comfort, layering various textiles, mixing patterns, and incorporating one-of-a-kind collected pieces. It’s a style that naturally lends itself to the cozy, slightly cluttered that works beautifully for fall.

'Boho is one of those styles that is completely unique and able to be interpreted in so many ways,' says Bobby Berk. 'And for us, the most interesting and unexpected take is combining boho with more modern elements for a truly 21st-century twist.' Like in this living room seen above designed by Bethany Adams.

At the heart of boho style is an eclectic mix of materials, patterns, and eras. Limiting color palette to tone-on-tone is a good place to start, whether its going with warmer shades for fall or cooler shades for spring. And bringing in white, black and wood tones will also help to amp up the modern feel.

11. Amp up the ambiance with plenty of candles

Aside from installing a living room fireplace, a woodburning stove or adding more radiators, there are plenty of simple cozy living room ideas that will add visual warmth to a space through decor. An array of candles and candle holders will certainly do the job.

Nothing sets the mood for fall like the warm glow of candlelight. Incorporating plenty of candles into your living room design instantly elevates the coziness factor, creating a soft, intimate atmosphere. And it's such an easy idea.

Group pillar candles on your coffee table, cluster votives on a mantel, or place a few taper candles in brass holders on a sideboard. Mixing heights and shapes creates visual interest while enhancing the overall warmth of the room.

12. Embrace more unique fall color combinations

Fall color schemes don’t have to be predictable. When many of us think of the colors of fall, we are drawn to rich reds and beautiful burnt oranges, but that doesn't mean you need to shy away from cooler or darker colors.

Take the unexpected color combination of brown and green in the living room by Farrow & Ball above. Chocolate brown is a huge trend for 2024, but the real pop comes from the painted door and woodwork.

‘Darker colors can imbue a magical quality in your living room, maximizing its coziness’, says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. With blue being one of the world’s longest standing most popular colors, it’s safe to say it’s been added to the timeless palette. It’s hard to go wrong with an elegant and rich living room color scheme.

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