10 Small Changes for an Autumn Happy Home
Decor looking a little tired after a long, hot summer? Be inspired to make some small changes that will increase happy vibes in your home
We all want our home to be a haven, a place of rest and comfort, an escape from the world. Autumn can signal a change of pace from summer’s busy lifestyle and is a good opportunity to update your interior decor, take stock of how you’re feeling and introduce some new habits. Want to feel happier heading into the cooler months? These tips and ideas will show you how.
Introduce new colours and textures through soft furnishings. It’s a subtle way of transitioning your decor from summer to autumn with minimal effort and fuss, and without blowing your budget. The mix of throws and linen make this bed look cosy, but it is the cherry reds that bring a luxurious touch, giving everything a lift.
More: Colour in Soft Furnishings: How to Mix and Match
More: Colour in Soft Furnishings: How to Mix and Match
Changing the rug is a simple way to bring in fresh energy for the season ahead. This red chevron rug is perfectly suited to the autumn palette and gives the room a bold focus without overwhelming it. Seasonal colours have also been introduced via the cushions, artwork and flowers.
More: Finding the Right Size Rug for Any Room in the House
More: Finding the Right Size Rug for Any Room in the House
Introducing a statement piece of furniture can completely shift the mood in a room. Pops of yellow or orange through furniture add sophistication, again without dominating the space. The orange statement chair is a gorgeous contrast to the restrained palette of this beautiful bedroom.
2. Keep it simple
Clear away items that are jarring or cluttering, leaving only the things that work harmoniously together. Removing a window covering for a season will maximise light now that the harsh summer glare has gone, and make your room appear less busy.
Clear away items that are jarring or cluttering, leaving only the things that work harmoniously together. Removing a window covering for a season will maximise light now that the harsh summer glare has gone, and make your room appear less busy.
Look through your accessories for things that are meaningful to you and feel more suited to the cooler seasons. It’s time to replace the shells and surfboard. Autumn could be the time to break out the stag head (of the furry or faux variety) or a groovy neon sign.
3. Make a sanctuary
Find your perfect place to escape from the bustle and clamour of everyday, to listen to the sounds of nature and perfect the gentle art of doing nothing.
Transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary
Find your perfect place to escape from the bustle and clamour of everyday, to listen to the sounds of nature and perfect the gentle art of doing nothing.
Transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary
Getting one extra hour of sleep a night will not guarantee a sunny disposition, but exhaustion always leads to crankiness so make it an autumn goal to get more sleep!
4. Bring out the quilts
Yes, the nights are colder. Suddenly a sheet isn’t enough, but a blanket is too much. Whether vintage or new, quilts provide a stylish option for dressing up your bed and keep you neither too warm nor too cold.
Yes, the nights are colder. Suddenly a sheet isn’t enough, but a blanket is too much. Whether vintage or new, quilts provide a stylish option for dressing up your bed and keep you neither too warm nor too cold.
If your quilts are old or have been packed away for a long time, they will definitely need airing, perhaps a wash with a sensitive laundry detergent on a delicate cycle and drying in a shady place. Treat them well and quilts will last a lifetime.
Autumn is also the season for dragging a quilt outside to lie on while staring up at the clouds. Try doing this with your kids. It’s more fun than you might think. Just remember to shake off the leaves before returning it to the bedroom.
Autumn is also the season for dragging a quilt outside to lie on while staring up at the clouds. Try doing this with your kids. It’s more fun than you might think. Just remember to shake off the leaves before returning it to the bedroom.
5. Update your menu
Yum. As the nights get colder, salads lose their summery appeal. Check out your iPad or cookbooks for new recipes, and break out the cast iron cookware for some hearty meals.
Fill your kitchen (and empty tummies!) with the rich aroma and taste of a slow-cooked stew or soup – it will be nourishing in more ways than one.
Yum. As the nights get colder, salads lose their summery appeal. Check out your iPad or cookbooks for new recipes, and break out the cast iron cookware for some hearty meals.
Fill your kitchen (and empty tummies!) with the rich aroma and taste of a slow-cooked stew or soup – it will be nourishing in more ways than one.
If a weekday main meal is too hard to pull together, try something more achievable, like an evening supper or a Sunday bunch.
Keep fresh vegies and herbs close by so that you’re not tempted to turn to junk food as the weather cools. Stew fruit nobody’s eating for a tasty dessert or breakfast treat.
6. Plan family time
We all know how important it is to turn off electronic devices and sit down for meals as a family. But how often do we actually do it? If you have the option, think about moving the television away from the dining area.
If having a clean table is one of the obstacles to family meals, get others to lend a hand to tidy up.
We all know how important it is to turn off electronic devices and sit down for meals as a family. But how often do we actually do it? If you have the option, think about moving the television away from the dining area.
If having a clean table is one of the obstacles to family meals, get others to lend a hand to tidy up.
Think outside the square for family gatherings that will cause excited anticipation rather than reluctant groans. Everyone loves a good movie, so set up your backyard (or family room!) as a mini cinema. You won’t have to worry about all that spilt popcorn! If it’s a little chilly, hand out some blankets and snuggle up for a night of outdoor cosiness.
More: A Night at the Movies: 10 Epic Outdoor Cinema Ideas
More: A Night at the Movies: 10 Epic Outdoor Cinema Ideas
7. Light candles
Scented candles in aromatic fragrances like cinnamon, sugar cookie or chai will improve your mood and will fill your home with delicious seasonal spice. This grouping of coloured candles provides gorgeous light and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Scented candles in aromatic fragrances like cinnamon, sugar cookie or chai will improve your mood and will fill your home with delicious seasonal spice. This grouping of coloured candles provides gorgeous light and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Lighting a candle while bathing will enhance your sense of calmness and ability to relax and regroup. We often make the mistake of saving pampering for a ‘special occasion’. Celebrate the changing of the seasons while your cares drift away!
8. Install a fire pit
With styles to suit every space, fire pits are fast becoming an integral part of Australian entertaining outside in the cooler months.
With styles to suit every space, fire pits are fast becoming an integral part of Australian entertaining outside in the cooler months.
Make your home the go-to place for your friends to spend a convivial autumn evening – with a glass of wine and their feet up.
Warning: You may have to install a separate fire pit for the teenagers. But at least you’ll know where they are!
Warning: You may have to install a separate fire pit for the teenagers. But at least you’ll know where they are!
9. Plant a tree
We all love the towering sweetgum (Liquidambars) that shade our streets and parks or the wavy poplars lining country creeks.
If you have the space, consider planting your own deciduous tree so you can appreciate this autumn delight firsthand.
We all love the towering sweetgum (Liquidambars) that shade our streets and parks or the wavy poplars lining country creeks.
If you have the space, consider planting your own deciduous tree so you can appreciate this autumn delight firsthand.
Maples (Acer) are a popular ornamental tree that grow well from Sydney to Perth. There is a huge range of leaf shapes and colours, making them a stunning addition to any yard or courtyard.
TIP: Now is the perfect time to visit a nursery for your autumn foliage tree. You will be able to see firsthand the varieties and leaf colours on offer.
TIP: Now is the perfect time to visit a nursery for your autumn foliage tree. You will be able to see firsthand the varieties and leaf colours on offer.
10. Clean up outside
If summer has seen an accumulation of paraphernalia, such as kids’ bikes, pool toys, deck chairs and wilted pot plants (or maybe that’s just my house?), now is the time to clean up. Clearing clutter from around your house leads to a cleaner and healthier environment for you and your kids to enjoy being outdoors.
If summer has seen an accumulation of paraphernalia, such as kids’ bikes, pool toys, deck chairs and wilted pot plants (or maybe that’s just my house?), now is the time to clean up. Clearing clutter from around your house leads to a cleaner and healthier environment for you and your kids to enjoy being outdoors.
Falling autumn leaves look great, but at some stage (groan!) they have to be cleaned up! Try and see the sweeping as therapeutic. If that fails, pay the kids to do it! Spread leaf piles over garden beds and in your compost.
When you find ways to improve the look and feel of your home, and implement small changes to maximise your health and happiness, your home can become a true haven.
TELL US
What are your favourite things about autumn? Do you have a favourite autumn colour? Do you change your decor with the changing seasons?
MORE
Top 10 Garden Jobs to Tackle This Autumn
7 Ways the Great Australian Landscape Can Inspire Your Colour Scheme
Yellow in the Kitchen: Make it Sing
TELL US
What are your favourite things about autumn? Do you have a favourite autumn colour? Do you change your decor with the changing seasons?
MORE
Top 10 Garden Jobs to Tackle This Autumn
7 Ways the Great Australian Landscape Can Inspire Your Colour Scheme
Yellow in the Kitchen: Make it Sing
Autumn colours are traditionally fiery, earthy, golden and natural. This is good news because it’s easy to add some autumnal pops of colour and texture to your decor without having to redo rooms from top to bottom – unless you’re moving and starting from scratch, ain’t nobody got time for that!