How to style a couch for fall – 8 designer tips for a cozy, chic autumn setup

Before we know it, the sun will start to set more quickly and the temperature will drop – with autumn on its way, it’s high time we get our living rooms ready.

While arranging ambient lighting and styling the coffee table are high on our list of pre-fall tasks, one area of the living room can’t be overlooked when it comes to seasonal spruces: the sofa.

The site of movie nights, family gatherings, and day-to-day relaxation, the couch gets much more use when the seasons start to change. That’s why giving it a bit of extra attention before fall is of the utmost importance.

To ensure you’re left with a comfortable, welcoming place to retreat at the end of the day, we spoke with interior designers, who shared their top fall decor ideas (with a sofa-specific lens). Here’s everything you need to know before you design.

8 stylish ways to transform your couch for fall

Whether you’re giving the whole living room a seasonal spruce or just focusing on a considered arrangement of throw pillows, keep these living room fall decor ideas in mind for a chic, cohesive final product. If you’re trying to decide how to start decorating for fall, the sofa is a great place to begin.

1. Layer up textures and earthy hues

Fall color schemes benefit from natural inspiration, and the couch is no exception. Whether your couch takes on an organic hue, or is simply decorated with earth-hued throws, taking inspiration from nature is a nearly failsafe approach to the living room.

Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE by Dan Mazzarini, says that ‘pillows and throws are a great, low-risk opportunity to go bold in your interiors. ‘With its relatively low cost, this is not the place to be careful! I say go for striking colors and patterns. Match the colors you see in nature for inspiration and swap your pillowcases seasonally. For fall, we love merlots, forest greens, and rich grays.’

‘Autumn is the time to bring out the throw blankets and pillows in tactile, nubby textures, velvets, and plaids in a warm, earth-tone palette,’ adds Valerie Helgeson, principal designer of Oklahoma-based Design Directions. ‘I love using caramels, deep greens, and soft creamy neutrals. It’s all about creating a cocooning environment to snuggle up in on chilly evenings.’

2. Bring in some moodier hues

'For the cushions, I prefer transitioning to darker, warmer and muted tones while staying within the same color palette as the summer decor,' says Aino Heinäsuo, head of design at Redecor. 'This approach maintains the room's color balance without creating a jarring contrast. Choosing colors that echo elsewhere in the room helps tie everything together. You can keep the same inner pillows and layout and simply swap out the covers.'

Moody color schemes aren’t just reserved for the colder months, but they do make a massive impact when much of our time is spent inside. With bold, exciting hues and a comfort-forward feel, these spaces are perfectly fit for fall. Opt for a dark couch with lush texture, or bring in pops of bold colors by accessorizing.

Artem Kropovinsky, a New York City-based interior designer, suggests drawing on the moody light of the season by bringing in honey and gilded bronze hues. ‘The rich shade of honey paints a warm, welcoming mood of autumn, whereas gilded bronze infuses a sense of opulence,’ he says. ‘Together, they paint a scene of falling leaves, aglow in the late afternoon sun.’

3. Prioritize coziness

‘Updating your sofa decor for fall is honestly one of the easiest (and most fun) design changes to make when the seasons change,’ says Kathy Kuo, interior designer and founder of Kathy Kuo Home. ‘Simply swap your throw pillows and throw blankets accordingly and you get an instantly different sofa aesthetic. For example: I like to go with linen pillows for summer and chunky knits or cashmere ones for fall.'

Layering in lush throw pillows, blankets, and textured accessories is perhaps the quickest and most accessible way to update your sofa’s design scheme for the season. ‘Fall is all about being warm and cozy, so I recommend adding throw pillows and a blanket draped over the couch for an inviting touch,’ says Jennifer Verruto, founder and CEO of Blythe Interiors.

‘By adding throw pillows, you can incorporate warm colors like amber, mustard, mint or sage green, or even ivory and black, that bring an autumnal color palette to your existing decor. While normally one might hide blankets in storage when not in use, during the chilly months I recommend adding a decorative throw draped over the back of the couch or thrown over the armrest for a cozy touch.’

Artem agrees, adding that ‘strategically placing’ a blanket that has intricate details like fringe or beading ‘adds layers to a seating arrangement.’ He suggests materials like cashmere and wool weaves for an ‘opulent touch.’

‘Whether you toss one causally over the corner of your sofa, fold it neatly over the end of chaise, or roll them in a woven basket, having blankets handy to grab for you and your guests makes everyone feel more at home,’ adds Ann Fritz, principal of Minneapolis-based ESG Architecture and Design.

4. Opt for warm colors

‘This time of year, it's all about snuggling into the corner of the sofa, so creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere is key,’ says Aino Heinäsuo, head of design at Redecor. ‘Use rich, warm tones to enhance that inviting feel, and layer the couch with a mix of textures like chunky knit blankets and linen cushions to add depth and comfort to the space.’

Opting for tones of fall foliage is key when it comes to decorating the couch for fall. Madison Popper, founder of global interior design firm Chill Casa, says it’s a no-fail approach to a fall-themed scheme. ‘Embracing the fall aesthetic, I artfully drape couches with a rich tapestry of brown, beige, orange, and fiery red tones, invoking the warmth of the season,’ she says.

‘The color palette for the couch this fall is all about evoking a sense of warmth,’ adds David Harris, design director at global design studio Andrew Martin. ‘We're seeing a resurgence of rich and earthy tones – think warm reds, deep browns, rustic bricks, lush greens, calming blues, and timeless naturals.’

‘These hues not only add a touch of sophistication to a space but also create an inviting atmosphere,’ he continues. ‘Embroidered cushions and throws will make a statement and add a unique touch to the living space this season.’

5. Combine rich shades with neutrals

For a balanced look that’ll shine in autumn, but also last all year, opt for a considered mix of neutrals and bold, warm hues. On the couch, rich and visually interesting cushions can complement a neutral base. Alternatively, a bold-hued sofa can be brought back to earth with pared-back accessories that don’t steal the show.

‘You want to look for rich colors and tones such as browns and forest greens and burnt oranges,’ says interior designer Chantelle Hartman Malarkey. ‘Complementing these colors with ivory and cream is a nice combo as well. You can incorporate these colors in blankets and throw pillows.’

6. Focus on fabrics

'We love to add a variety of textures and materials to our fall couches through coordinating accent pillows and throws,' says Stephanie Housley, founder and designer of Coral & Tusk. 'The cooler air indicates that it is just the time to bring in the softness and coziness of velvets and heavier weaves to complete our fall look. We paired our Autumn Blossoms pillow with velvet pillows and a Coyuchi matelasse throw.'

While color is crucial when giving your couch a fall-ready makeover, it’s also important to pay attention to the fabrics and textures that will lend a comfortable atmosphere to the entire space. Chunky knits and velvets are typically selected for warm, cozy space, but there’s plenty of room to experiment with different textures and thickness levels.

‘As far as fabrics go, I recommend velvets, thick and cozy materials, or a good plaid,’ adds Chantelle. ‘I also love a thick, oversized braided blanket! So perfect for the fall and extremely comfortable.’

7. Mix and match your cushions

'Autumn is all about hunkering down and preparing for the cooler months to come, layering is key so be sure to add lots cushions in varying textures for a cozy feel,' says Alexandra Childs, founder and principal of Studio Alexandra.

When choosing cushions for your fall-ready couch, don’t forget to mix and match the selection. Bring in a combination of small and large, skinny and wide, circular and square cushions for a high-end look that’ll provide comfort for each and every guest that comes to visit. Unique textures can also play beautifully alongside one another, making for a visually interesting and one-of-a-kind look.

‘Textures like velvet or chenille interact uniquely with light, offering a hint of extravagance to a sofa,’ says Artem. ‘Mix and match both plain and design-centric cushions, weaving in fall symbols and abstract designs. Position these in any restful spot. Be it the main lounge or a snug corner, sculpted cushions uplift the aura immediately.’

Ann agrees, suggesting ‘pillows in varied sizes, with the largest in the back.’ By placing a ‘larger square, velvet pillow, then a nubby knit smaller one, then a patterned lumbar pillow in the front,’ you’ll be well on your way to a seasonal, soothing look. ‘Always choose down or down alternative pillow inserts that can be fluffed up and keep their shape longer. Avoid the cheaper polyester fill that tends to get lumpy and flat over time. The investment is worth it,’ she says.

8. Consider the coffee table, too

While styling a coffee table for fall is an entirely different endeavor, it’s important to consider how the couch and coffee table will interact with one another within the larger design scheme. By arranging your coffee table with a chic, timeless design (that speaks to fall’s natural beauty) in mind, your entire living room will shine – not just the couch’s corner.

‘On the coffee table, it's essential to remember the rule of three and balancing larger, taller objects with smaller ones,’ says Aino. ‘Grouping three items of varying heights creates visual interest, and placing them on a tray ties everything together. I’d suggest a stack of decorative books with one or two candles on top, paired with a larger vase of dried flowers beside them.’

‘One of my favorite touches is incorporating seasonal flowers – tulips in the spring remind me of the upcoming summer, while dried flowers in autumn bring a cozy, autumnal vibe to the room. Plus, dried flowers last a long time and can easily be swapped out for Christmas decorations as the season changes,’ she continues.

Nina Lichtenstein, founder and principal of her eponymous firm, agrees, adding that ‘your couch doesn’t exist in isolation.’ She suggests taking the surrounding environment into account when crafting your design scheme. ‘Adding a cozy area rug in warm tones or placing a few seasonal items like gourds or fall-themed artwork nearby can complement your couch decor. Incorporating soft lighting, such as table lamps with warm-toned bulbs or a string of fairy lights, will add to the overall ambiance, making the space feel even more welcoming.’

Decorating a couch for fall makes your entire living room feel rich, warm, and inviting, and makes hosting friends and family a breeze. Put comfort first, and then focus on welcoming aesthetics, for a fall-themed couch that’ll last you through the year.