Fall is the perfect opportunity to take a breath, synchronize with the rhythms of the earth, of abundant harvest, of gathering. Choosing the traditional colors, forms and textures of autumn to decorate with helps me feel grounded and in sync with the rhythms of time and season.

This article represents my recovery from a major plot twist last year about this time: Hurricane Ian. As did thousands of others in Florida, I experienced waist-deep storm surge (dirty, salty, sandy, sea-weedy, trash- and sewage-filled water) filling every room in my home.

I spent months as a refugee, of sorts, adrift but grateful, living in others’ spaces. Recently I was able to return to my old neighborhood into a pristine, renovated space.

There are so many who have made it possible, from family and dear friends to incredible anonymous givers who essentially furnished my new home. Amazing volunteers, many who did not previously even know me, demonstrated the true meaning and beauty of “community” in the midst of chaos.

Together, we “picked up the pieces”.

They shared my sadness and helped drag all the sewage-soaked furniture, clothes and appliances to the street. I offer a profound thank you to all those who have made that possible. They have been a continual source of support during these uncertain months and are my inspiration in my new home!

I originally created this post right before the hurricane stunned us. Now, I am ready to share these beautiful photos of my prior home with you.

I look forward to (in the future) sharing my transformation from one home to finding stability in another. It has taken a joyful and deep dimension of gratitude, not only for occupying my own place again but also for dwelling within a sense of normalcy.

On a lighter note, today I hope to inspire you (and myself!) to have fun with a décor update, blending traditions with a few plot twists!

I encourage you to set the intention this year to use what you already have to ground yourself in gratitude and push the boundaries of your creativity. Focus on using items you can make, or that you already have.

You may want to add newly purchased fall-themed items, but I think you’ll be amazed by how living room, entry and dining table decor can be transformed by items you already have around the house.

Let the Colors Speak

As we pivot from sunny, summer hot-and-brights toward the warm, more-contained and muted colors of fall, take a long, slow breath.

Take a little time to consider the impact that specific colors can have on your emotional well-being.

Bring a deeper dimension of intention in your choices of color, form and texture. Use these elements to create the atmosphere you want within your home and the feelings you want to inspire within yourself and your family and friends.

For example, did you know that in China and Japan, the color orange symbolizes happiness, love, and good health? Allow yourself to embrace that and see what it motivates within you for this season.

One of my other favorite feelings the color orange represents is passion. Love it! Let’s bring that out right in the entry of our homes. Passion for the season . . .and for our lives . . . and for our families!

In an earlier post I spoke about five easy ways to swap decor for the next season or holiday.

My go-to household items to go on a treasure hunt around your house are:

• candles
• books
• photo frames
• pillows and throw blankets
• cards and quote box signs (I became an overnight fanatic for these making me smile around the house)

Check here for even more detailed ideas for using such items throughout multiple seasons.

Living Area Focus

Decorating for autumn can be ultra-creative on a backdrop of simple neutrals and wood tones we already have on hand.

Search shelves, closets, and other rooms for things within your chosen color scheme . . . like books. They can bring interesting shapes by stacking straight or in spirals.The stacks can give a vertical dimension to otherwise horizontal spaces.

Books serve as reminders to revisit inspiring stories or verses from the past. They can also remind us to slow down and take some time away from phones, computers and TV screens. The break from electronics is physiologically calming and soothing.

If the book that “calls to you” doesn’t fit your desired color scheme, take a few minutes to make a temporary book cover from brown or cream or orange or gold wrapping paper.

Bring your hidden gems out to see the light of day and make an artistic fall display with them!

And, of course, they can bring inspiration for what color mode you are truly in for this current season and desire more of.

So to start my discovery of items in these categories that could be perfect for this fall season, I focus on:

Sumptuous Shapes and Spicey Scents

Candles in the cream, white, orange, bronze, and gold family are hitting my fancy this season. The perfect complement to shorter days and cooler nights.

I want to inhale the scent of mulled apple cider and cinnamon-y pumpkin spice, candles, potpourri, and hot mugs of cider and buttery muffins intensify that feeling of cozy.

Pumpkin shaped candles . . . absolutely! Gourds . . . for sure. Add a cheerful seasonal quote and I’m sold.

I view candles as a home décor and emotional-health investment! The scents recall happy memories, and facilitate new experiences this year.

Then, as Christmas season approaches, I can store and recycle candles that are strictly fall-colors and scents, but I can continue to use cream, gold and bronze colors with neutral scents for another season.

Treasures found on shelves and in closets can be returned to their original “home” to be revealed again next year in chic, creative combinations.

Autumn decor items work well to style your home for three to four months. You might highlight something different each month with color, shape or texture if you like. I do like.

You have August if you are feelin’ uber excited to get started on fall (yes, please), September, October, and hello thankful November. 

Bring Out the Books

Book authors might be horrified that I see them, not only as literature, but also as home décor items. Neutral-colored book jackets: gold, bronze, white, and brown leather make me feel warm and cozy because they remind me of the colors of dried flowers and sleepy trees in nature outside and cool, crisp air.

The house looks and feels so tranquil to me with the blend of fall colors.

Have fun perusing your favorite tucked-away books. The ones that “call’ may go right along with the cool feeling of the season or may be something that rekindles and inspires your current personal goals.

Gratitude for Happy Memories

Photo frames of wood and gold detail are great colors to begin. Blend various textures, shapes and designs.

Picture frames are not only perfect to display your fall family photos and friends you miss this season, but can be used again and again within different color themes and festive holiday decor throughout your house.

Consider leaving a few empty frames to inspire you to add new photos of your fun experiences this year!

And . . . a fabulous bonus: Frames store well in cabinets, and last FOREVER! (at least until the next hurricane!)

Very Versatile!

Let’s Get More Cozy

Pillows and throw blankets that bring in the autumn colors such as creams, golds, deep orange, and beige just make you want to snuggle, enjoy every delightful sip of something yummy, sink into them, and read ones of those books you forgot all about that are staring right at you now.

Scour the house for pillows and have fun with it. No one will mind if you swap out the bed shams or entry bench decor pillows to add a little extra fall flare on the couch.

If you don’t have any pillows that satisfy your autumn cravings . . . go spoil yourself a bit at HomeGoods. Pillows there are happily lined on the shelves for you. . . I never plan to admit how many HomeGoods pillows I actually own and absolutely adore. Yes, they give me joy!!

A good long term strategy is to have several plain pillow forms of various sizes and use fall-themed pillow covers from Amazon, Etsy or Pottery Barn. There are so many beautiful ones of great quality that will arrive on your doorstep. 

I particularly love pillow covers. They are economical and they consume much less storage space.  Lay them nicely in your fall decor bins or wrap delicate items with them.

Plot Twist: You can make pillow covers, even without sewing! Hello Youtube.

Verbal Inspiration

Some people use StickyNotes to post motivational affirmations around the house. I do quote boxes. Quote box signs that are heartfelt, add a smile to your day, or flat out crack you up every time you see them are perfect to put right in your line of sight for the season!

I now have an entire collage wall of quote box signs from Primitives by Kathy because of how motivated I feel by each and every one. I did not start with a whole wall — initially, I placed one above a door frame or along the top edge of a mirror.

Here is the link to one of Kathy’s pages on Amazon that is full of every day quote boxes and fall-filled signs to dazzle up your living spaces. 

This “treasure hunt” checklist for items to begin with in your home, such as: fall-colored candles and books, neutral photo frames to fill with beautiful fall images, festive fall pillows, cozy throw blankets, and little inspirational messages are all a great way to orchestrate your annual “decorating for fall” home event. 

And then it gets even more fun.

You know if you start popping in HomeGoods or perusing Amazon you are sure to find natural wood beaded garlands you can use for multiple seasons, fall scented potpourri, and pumpkins . . . Lots of pumpkins and all the colors you want to spread throughout your rooms.

Have fun this season! I hope this “bouncing-around of ideas” has hit the “autumn decor inspiration” spot for ya and you find yourself eyeing the many beautiful things you already own.