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Whether you’re reading this in the middle of a sweltering July or during a chilly autumn rain, it’s officially pumpkin season in our hearts, because fall is a favorite time of year for so many of us!
This year, I decided to explore some fall decorating ideas for living room for the very first time. Usually, I only decorate for Christmas, like most people, but hey, it’s never too late to start a new tradition.
It follows that I don’t have any fall decorations from past years, so I’m starting completely from scratch.
However, I’m not rushing out to buy a bunch of random stuff. I want to slowly build up my fall decor collection, choosing pieces that I truly love and will enjoy for years to come. So, if you’re like me and have never decorated for fall before, we’re in this together!
I’ll also share how I transformed a dull corner of my living room into a cozy and comfy little reading nook, perfect for curling up with a good book and a hot cup of something delicious.
So, grab a pumpkin spice latte (or whatever your favorite fall drink is), and let’s make our homes feel warm and inviting!
Let’s build a cozy reading nook from scratch!
Here are a few photos of how my living room looked before I started decorating.
You can see the empty corner I mentioned, which I thought would be the perfect spot for a reading nook.
I also thought it would be nice to have an extra seat across from the sofa. I don’t have enough space in my living room to create a large conversation area, but adding at least one chair opposite the sofa would be a really nice addition.
First, I decided to place a piece of art in the corner to balance the wall to the left of the TV. Since there’s a mirror on the other side, I wanted to achieve some symmetry and balance.
Also I thought it would be cool to have a frame where I could swap out pictures whenever I wanted. But, as you probably know, custom large frames can be quite pricey, and I needed a large one.
So, I came up with the idea of buying a random piece of wall art from T.J. Maxx (or HomeGoods) that came with a frame I liked and was the right size, then just use the frame and replace the art inside. And I also wanted a white mat inside the frame because I think it really makes the art stand out and pop.
I found a really nice frame in the exact size I needed for just $80!
However, I have to admit that, although I’m happy with how it turned out, turning the wall art into a frame was quite a challenge, so think twice if you want to try this yourself.
Every layer of the frame was glued together, and there were hundreds of staples holding everything in place. So I had to remove all the staples first, then use a hair dryer to carefully separate the cardboard backing from the art. After that, I cut the art out of the mat and bought special spring clips to secure the new picture in place. I also had to add strips of paper around the back of the frame to cover up the glue, which I couldn’t remove. So it was quite a hassle!
It was a bit of a headache, but I think I saved a significant amount of money because frames with this design and size can easily cost $300 or more.
I don’t necessarily recommend this process, but I just wanted to share my experience :).
For the insert, I found a stunning autumn landscape painting on Etsy, had it printed, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out!
Source: Etsy.com
I made sure to hang the picture at the same level as the mirror, and now the wall looks nicely balanced and symmetrical, which is always pleasing to the eye.
To truly bring warmth and coziness to your space, don’t overlook the power of accent and ambient lighting.
Soft, low lights can completely change the vibe of a room, creating a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for fall. Adding different light sources, like accent lamps, always brings that extra layer of warmth and comfort to your space.
For my reading nook, I picked out a floor lamp from Target. I really love the design of this lamp; I think it’s very stylish and adds a nice touch to the room.
The centerpiece of any reading nook is undoubtedly the chair – it’s where you relax and dive into your favorite book.
I recently found the perfect chair for my space – it’s spacious and comfy, with just the right balance of not too soft and not too firm. And I opted for a corduroy fabric, which adds a nice texture and is practical since I have a cat. Also I think it looks modern without being too trendy; it has simple and clean lines that can easily fit into any interior style.
I found this chair on Wayfair during a sale, so it was a great deal, and I couldn’t be happier with it :)!
When picking out a chair, consider both comfort and style. The chair should invite you to sit down and relax, but it should also complement the rest of your decor.
A well-chosen chair can quickly become a favorite spot in your home!
Sources: 1. Penn chair & ottoman set 2. Lana upholstered armchair (my chair) 3. Leno upholstered armchair 4. Elroy accent chair with wooden legs
Side tables are those small pieces of furniture that you can easily switch out to instantly update the style or feel of a room without breaking the bank.
So, consider adding or swapping a side table – it can significantly alter the overall look of your space.
I wanted to add a piece that would break up the light and neutral tones in the room, so I chose a table in a dark wood shade.
This table is also from Target, and I think it’s a great find. It feels solid, is stable, and quite heavy, and in my opinion, it looks much more expensive than it actually is.
Sources: 1. Wooden round pedestal side table (my table) 2. Daktari marble end table 3. Jean solid wood tray top nesting tables (set of 3) 4. Meyer wooden drink tables
One of the easiest ways to bring fall vibes into your home is with florals and floral arrangements. There are so many options available now, from realistic faux stems and flowers to fresh greenery and blooms.
I like to shop for stems at Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, and Amazon because they always have great selections.
For my side table, I added a vase filled with beautiful yellow flowers, which I believe are butterfly orchids.
You might think these aren’t traditionally fall flowers, but I wanted to bring in some bright and cheerful autumn colors instead of the usual dull and dried-out ones. I love the warm and vibrant side of fall and its glorious hues. Plus, these stems aren’t just for fall – they can be used all year round!
One of the easiest and coziest ways to get your home ready for fall is with pillows and throw blankets – they’re my absolute favorite!
I added a white throw blanket and velvet pillow in a gorgeous cognac color to my chair. These textiles not only add warmth and comfort but also make your space feel super inviting and perfect for fall.
Pumpkins are the quintessential symbol of fall, bringing a warm and cozy vibe to any space. These days, you can find pumpkins in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors, making them a super versatile decor option for your home.
You can keep it classic with traditional orange pumpkins, or try something different with white, neutral, green, or even metallic ones for a more modern look. There are pumpkin-shaped pillows, pumpkin candles, pumpkin bowl fillers – the options are endless!
Sources: 1. Large faux pumpkins with brown stems 2. Red small marble pumpkin
Just pop them on mantels, coffee tables, or use them as a centerpiece on your dining table, and you’ve got instant cozy fall vibes.
In this little spot next to the TV, I placed my one and only pumpkin resident at the moment.
To be honest, I’m not a huge pumpkin enthusiast yet, although I really like when they decorate the porch or outside spaces. But who knows, maybe next years, I’ll succumb to the pumpkin takeover and decorate every corner with them :-).
Let me know how many pumpkins do you have in your house? I’m super curious to know!
Sources: 1. Faux fur pumpkin pillow 2. Figural votives pumpkin candles (4 pcs) 3. Figural pumpkin candles 4. Led glass pumpkin with stem (my pumpkin)
Sometimes, small furniture pieces are the final touch needed to complete your room’s design and comfort. Think about poufs, ottomans, drink tables, or stools – they’re the little details that make a big difference.
The final touch to complete my reading nook was adding an ottoman, because I love having a spot to put up my feet while I’m relaxing in my chair. It’s a small addition, but it makes the space so much more comfortable and cozy.
I found this ottoman at Target, and I think the brown leather trim adds a stylish and fall-inspired touch that ties everything together.
Sources: 1. Golden oak velvet ottoman 2. Montgomery swivel stool 3. Tan/navy stripe Lynwood square upholstered cube ottoman 4. Square fabric ottoman with faux leather trim (my ottoman)
Small furniture pieces like this not only add comfort but also make the space feel more put together and inviting.
One of the easiest ways to add some fall charm to your space is by decorating your console table with a few seasonal touches.
For my console table, I swapped out a few books for ones with darker covers to fit the fall vibe.
I also found gorgeous amber glass candlesticks at Hobby Lobby. The amber glass catches the light and shimmers in all sorts of pretty colors, so I’m totally in love with them!
And to complement the candlesticks, I picked up these long white candles, also from Hobby Lobby, which really pop against the amber.
My console vase is pretty big and tall, so I always try to choose stems that are taller than the vase. I think this way it looks more balanced and adds some height to the room.
I went to Hobby Lobby and looked for the tallest stems in their fall section. And I found these big, beautiful bloom branches! Four stems turned out to be just right for my vase, because they’re huge!
So definitely check out your local Hobby Lobby for great selections and deals on floral stems.
It’s surprising I haven’t seen these featured by more Instagram or YouTube bloggers.
Personally, I think they look very stylish, really make a statement, and are an overall great find considering their size and price.
Your couch is the biggest piece of furniture in the room, so it’s an easy way to change the whole vibe by adding seasonal colors, textures, and textiles. The more, the better!
In one corner of my couch, I placed two neutral-colored pillows, but each with a fall flair: one with a pretty floral print and the other with a cozy knitted wool cover, perfect for the colder season. Since my couch is blue, I usually try to keep the pillows light and neutral to brighten things up.
And I always make sure to use inserts that are 2 to 4 inches bigger than the pillowcases to keep them looking nice and full.
In the other corner, I only swapped out a small pillow for a light brown lumbar one from Target and added a blanket from HomeGoods.
But even with this simple setup, you can see how it brings in the fall feel and makes the space super cozy.
So be sure to give your couch some attention – it’s an easy and impactful way to transform your living space for the season and make it feel super comfy.
One easy and budget-friendly way to decorate your home for fall is to make your own floral arrangement. You can use stems, picks, and flowers you already have around to create something unique.
Try combining different textures, colors, and heights to add interest to your composition. And don’t be afraid to experiment – sometimes the best arrangements come from a bit of improvisation!
I had a potted herbs from Target that sat on my TV stand all spring and summer. And although I liked the pot, I wasn’t a fan of the greens. So, I decided to create a new fall arrangement in it, especially since the stems weren’t glued but were just stuck into foam, making them easy to remove.
Also I had one floral stem with small flowers from Hobby Lobby that I wasn’t sure where to use. The stem was already quite full, so I thought it would be perfect for this project.
So I carefully split the stem into smaller pieces, trimmed them a little bit, and then, just like herbs, I stuck them into the styrofoam without any gluing.
I aimed for an asymmetrical look, and I’m really happy with how it came together – it’s really fluffy and looks quite lovely! Plus, I’m keeping the original herbs safe, just in case I decide to switch things back :-).
Decorating your coffee table is another simple yet effective way to bring fall vibes into your living space.
I started with a woven decorative tray as the base. Then I added my new DIY flower arrangement, a few coasters, some everyday essentials, and a little candle.
I also got a gorgeous book recently that I’m totally obsessed with! It’s so beautiful and such a statement piece.
I had it in my Amazon cart for a while, and finally realized that its colors are just perfect for fall. So now it’s mine, and I can’t wait to flip through its pages on those cozy fall evenings and learn more about art.
One of the best ways to get into the fall spirit is through scents. Whether it’s with fragrant candles or aroma oils, warm, sweet, spicy, and earthy notes can instantly create the right atmosphere.
So, the last thing I added to my coffee table is my aroma diffuser. I treated myself to it last year, and even though it was a bit of a splurge, it’s hands down the most stunning diffuser I’ve come across, and I absolutely love having it around every single day.
One of my favorite scents for fall is called “Sweetest Taboo.” It has this amazing mix of vanilla and wood notes, which is exactly how the Aria hotel in Vegas smells.
It’s a deliciously sweet scent, and I think it’s just perfect for the fall season.
And, finally, the room is all dressed up for fall!
I hope you enjoyed reading and found some inspiration for your own decorating.
Let me know in the comments if you decorate your home for fall. When do you start? Do you go all out or keep it simple? I’m really curious to hear from you!
Happy decorating, and enjoy the cozy vibes of the season! xoxo
This post was all about modern fall decorating ideas for living room
I’m Oksana and I love paper flowers and all things paper. Here at FancyBloom I design new flower templates, make paper flower tutorials, and share my ideas and inspiration for fancy and modern craft.
