Fall bedroom decor – 13 seasonal decorating ideas for a cozy sleep space

Fall is fast approaching, and what better way to mark the changing seasons than a refresh of bedroom decor?

As we bid farewell to the light and airy summer fabrics, colors, and decor, the beginning of fall welcomes a much richer and layered approach to the decor of our sleep spaces, ensuring a warm and cozy space fit for longer nights and cooler temperatures.

Think moody colors, textured fabrics, and layered bedding – there's much to love about fall decor ideas for the bedroom, and it's the perfect time to get creative to ensure your space is full of interest as we spend more time at home.

Fall bedroom decor ideas to create a cocooning space

Below, we've explained how to start decorating for fall in the bedroom, rounding up 13 ways interior designers and home decor experts recommend swapping out summer decor in preparation for the much-loved cozy season.

1. Paint walls and doors in fall colors

Gray bedrooms are wonderful in summer, but come September and you might be hankering after fall color schemes, featuring warm hues and earthy tones.

But if you want to skip the classic fall trends of painting walls all one color, why not think about creating contrast, as in the room above?

Artem Kropovinsky says, 'When it comes to fall, color is the first language of transformation. Think of the lush hues that the season brings – rich reds, warm yellows, burnt oranges, and deep browns. Incorporate these colors in your bedroom subtly, perhaps in throw pillows, a duvet cover, or a textured rug. These pieces will not only add an extra layer of comfort but also bring the warmth and richness of the season inside.'

2. Swap out summer bedding for fall colors

The benefit of swapping out bedding is that it's not difficult or necessarily expensive. Rather than completely redecorating your bedroom, you can choose bedding in bold colors and seasonal styles to reinvent your bedroom, fast.

If fall bedroom decor is all about coziness, then the best bed sheets right now will be plush, comfy, and layered. Get creative with the colors, textures, and patterns of your pillows and blankets, inspired by some fall bedding trends, which tend to touchable textures and the colors of fall flowers.

3. Bring nature into your bedroom

Fall-themed bedroom decorations don't have to stop at wall art, there are many creative ways to bring nature indoors to embellish your space. You can decorate with dried flowers, display twigs in a vase, frame fallen leaves and spent flower heads, or maybe make a decorative fall wreath or garland to put above your bed. Creating a fall-themed centerpiece to display on your dresser or mantelpiece will feel celebratory.

'Another beautiful way to transition your fall bedroom decor is by bringing elements of nature inside. Pinecones, acorns, or dried leaves can make lovely additions to a bedside table or shelf display. If you're feeling creative, consider a DIY project like a garland or wreath made from autumn foliage,' suggests Artem Kropovinsky.

You can even create a foliage wall to really immerse your room with outdoor elements.

4. Dim the lights to make the space glow

Having soft, warm bedroom lighting is important regardless, especially in fall. Even changing the color of your lightbulbs to warmer tones can affect the colors of the room.

'Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood. As the nights grow longer, adding more light sources can make your bedroom feel cozier. Candles with scents of cinnamon, apple, or pumpkin can add a sense of warmth and comfort while also adding a lovely aroma reminiscent of the season, advises designer Artem Kropovinsky.

Designer Elizabeth Grace adds, 'Set the mood with soft, warm lighting that evokes the glow of autumn sunsets. Use table lamps, string lights, or candles with scents like cinnamon or vanilla for a cozy ambiance.'

Install dimmer switches to control the brightness of your overhead lighting, to create a more relaxing atmosphere for evenings, and use various different lamps and lights to create pools of light. And banish harsh overhead lighting.

5. Create visual comfort by layering rugs

Plush bedroom rug ideas are often a nice choice in fall since they will make the room look more cozy and inviting while keeping your feet warm.

Elizabeth Grace says, 'Consider adding a stylish area rug with an autumnal motif, tying the entire decor together and adding a touch of visual interest.' You can also layer rugs to tie areas and themes of your room together.

6. Decorate a headboard for fall

'Simply changing up your headboard ideas can transform a bedroom for fall,' says Lucy Searle, Content Director at Homes & Gardens.

'If you already have a fabric-covered headboard, it could be as simple as having seasonal slips that you swap out to match the season or stapling new fabric to the back of the headboard. Flat headboards can be painted or wallpapered to complement your fall bedroom decor, or you can create a panel of wallpaper on the wall at the head of a bed without a headboard.'

7. Rethink closet door colors

'It's likely that your closet's doors will need repainting once a year if you are as prone to chipping them as I am,' confesses Jo Bailey, Homes & Gardens' Editor and stylist.

'If so, take it as an opportunity to dramatically transform a neutral bedroom's color scheme by picking a warm, fall-friendly color. My favorite bedroom color ideas tend towards very natural but spicy shades, such as cinnamon and terracotta because they look wonderful in natural and artificial light, never too harsh, never too dark.'

8. Paint single pieces of furniture

'Of course, you needn't repaint a piece of furniture as large as a closet to make an impact,' continues Jo. 'Since the area around the bed is usually the focal point of the room, simply painting bedside tables in a warm, autumnal color can make a world of difference, especially in a bedroom with cooler colored decor.

'I love the subtle line of reddish-orange of the table lamp's trim (above), and the subtle nod to nature in the wallpaper behind.'

9. Introduce fall fragrances to your bedroom

Fragrances can enhance the appeal of your room, and finding scents that represent fall could not be easier. Whether you introduce these scents through making potpourri, candles, essential oil reed diffusers, or room sprays, there is such a wide range of scents to choose from. Our top favorite fall scents include cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spices, spiced chai, or fresh pine to create a pleasant and relaxing ambiance.

There are also plenty more ways to make your house smell like fall, which we tackle in our separate feature.

10. Decorate with mustard yellow

In this colorful bedroom, interior designer Nadia Watts nods to fall with the pops of mustard yellow. If you're looking for a way to welcome the changing seasons without totally overhauling your space, mustard is a good color choice that has longevity beyond fall, too.

'Mustard yellow is warm and earthy, so it’s the perfect color for fall,' explains Nadia. 'It’s comforting and cozy, making it the ideal choice for the bedroom. It’s the perfect pop of color and it’s incredibly versatile, pairing well with strong colors like navy, teal, and green as well as neutrals.'

'A little goes a long way,' adds Nadia. 'Just a pop of mustard yellow takes this soft pink room from spring-like to fall.'

11. Opt for a calming green color scheme

Decorating with green is a great way to create a calming space for fall. Rather than the vibrant greens of summer, opt for darker, richer shades to mark the autumnal months.

'Deep, jewel-toned greens project luxury and glamour, which is why they are perfect to use as a deep and calming bedroom color as the seasons turn,' says Matthew Williamson who designed this maximalist bedroom.

'Picture a bedroom brought to life with rich emerald pillows, lush moss green vases, and hints of jade in the artwork. These green accents can transform a space, adding depth and a touch of nature-inspired elegance. The versatility of green allows it to pair beautifully with a variety of palettes. For a warm and luxurious touch, complement green accents with sumptuous golds and pops of mustard.'

12. Layer cozy textiles

One of the easiest and most effective swaps you can make when it comes to fall decor in the bedroom is to layer lots of cozy textiles. From pillows to throw blankets, curtains to rugs, swapping light and airy summer fabrics with heavier, textured fabrics will soon make your space warm and cozy for the fall months.

'I think changing out some of the textures is really important,' adds designer Christine Vroom of Christine Vroom Interiors. 'We are coming out of a season full of light linens and wispy textiles – so enhancing your space with a velvet or boucle or even patterns like plaid or gingham can make your space feel cozy without doing too much.'

13. Opt for an earthy, neutral color palette

Decorating with neutrals is a timeless choice all year long, but for fall, consider elevating a neutral palette with earth tones such as muted terracottas and greens.

'Fall is associated with a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and the natural beauty that comes with the autumn season,' says designer Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors.

'Warm, earthy neutrals make the perfect base layer for a fall-inspired scheme. Biscuit by Farrow & Ball is the perfect wall color to create that cozy feel and has longevity to transcend from fall to winter to spring.'

Additionally, Hannah also recommends venturing out to richer tones for fall, recommending Backdrop's Ghost Ranch, 'a beautiful terracotta with whiffs of nutmeg and cinnamon.'

From refreshing your bedding to decorating with paint, there are lots of ways to transform your sleep space in preparation for the cooler months. To help you on your way, we've rounded up some of our top fall decor picks for the bedroom below, guaranteed to boost cozy appeal.