Early Fall Decorating: How to Ease From Summer Into Cozy Season

Do you enjoy decorating for fall? If so, you might wonder if it’s too early to start pulling out your autumn decor! So, let’s discuss how to ease from summer into the cozy season with our best early fall decorating tips!

If you follow our blog, you know I love to decorate for fall and have tons of pumpkins I have bought and made.

While pumpkins are often the quintessential symbol of fall, with temperatures still in the 90s, I’m not ready to pull them out yet!

Thankfully, there are countless other ways to infuse your home with the warmth and richness of the season.

But the question remains…

Is it too early to decorate for fall?

When should you Begin fall decorating?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, but there are some general guidelines.

If you are like me and love everything about autumn, you can start decorating as early as August.

Many people wait until after Labor Day weekend, and some wait until the official start of fall, around September 21-23, depending on the year.

The timing can also vary depending on personal preference, local climate, and whether you’re decorating for a specific holiday like Halloween or Thanksgiving.

For example:

• August: Natural elements, rich textures, and warm hues.
• September: General fall decor, like pumpkins, leaves, and autumn colors.
• October: Halloween-specific decorations like jack-o’-lanterns and spooky items.
• November: Shift toward Thanksgiving decorations, with an emphasis on harvest themes.

Ultimately, it’s about what feels right for you and when you’re ready to embrace the fall season.

If you are as excited as I am to decorate for fall, let’s get started!

Early Fall Decorating Ideas

Transitioning your space from the light and airy vibe of summer to the warmth and coziness of fall doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

By making a few thoughtful changes, you can create an inviting atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of early autumn without a single pumpkin in sight.

Here’s how to ease into the cozy season with nine simple yet impactful decorating tips.

1) Remove decor items that say summer

The first step in transitioning your decor is to slowly phase out items that are distinctly summer.

Think of decor that features bright colors, nautical themes, or tropical motifs.

Removing these elements will make room for the richer, earthier tones that define fall.

I enjoyed adding coastal elements to my home this Summer, but I’m ready to remove the seashells and add warmer colors.

2) Add brown tones with your lighter whites

One of the easiest ways to transition into fall is by introducing warm brown tones alongside your existing lighter whites and neutrals.

This can be done with a variety of decor items like wooden accents, amber glass bottles, brown transferware, and other brown decor pieces.

These elements add depth and warmth to your space without overwhelming the light and airy feel you might still want to retain from summer.

Wood Accents

I discovered this pretty wood vase at Walmart and it hopped into my cart!

Brown Transferware

I have a small collection of brown transferware that I bought at yard sales, thrift stores, and an antique show, and am always on the lookout for new pieces!

Brown Decor Pieces

This brown wood fleur-de-lis is one of my favorite decor items!

Amber Glass Bottles

Amber glass bottles are perfect for holding fall florals!

3) Bring outdoor elements inside

Bringing outdoor elements inside is a wonderful way to decorate for fall, creating a cozy and natural atmosphere.

Incorporating items like dried palm fronds, pampas grass, and faux fruit add texture and warmth to any space.

These elements bring an earthy, organic feel, evoking the changing seasons without using obvious fall decorations.

Palm Frond

We cut a large palm frond off one of our trees, dried it, and then hung it above our mantel for a striking, tropical touch.

I think it’s the perfect element to transition from summer to fall!

If you don’t live in a tropical climate cut a branch off a tree to display on a mantel or in a large vase.

Pampas Grass

Next, I added pampas grass to a long dough bowl.

Its feathery plumes soften the overall look and are gorgeous draped across the mantel.

Faux Fruit

Next, I filled the dough with faux apples covered in leaves and miniature wood rounds.

Combining these natural materials brings the beauty of the outdoors inside, infusing your home with the essence of autumn.

4) Incorporate Neutral stems

Swap out summer florals for stems that reflect autumn’s beauty, such as neutral-colored dried wheat, bunny tails, wood flowers, and faux berries.

These can be arranged in amber glass bottles, wood vessels, or DIY jars wrapped with twine for simple fall decorating.

Dried Wheat

Dried wheat, with its golden hues, is perfect for this time of year!

Bunny Tails

Bunny tails are so soft and pretty!

Wood Flowers

Wood flowers added to a DIY vase makes for an interesting centerpiece!

Faux Berries

I scattered picks filled with neutral berries around the china cabinet to add texture and make the space feel more seasonal.

5) Incorporate Gingham Print

Thanks to the cottage-core movement, gingham print is making a comeback!

So imagine my excitement when I found this lovely neutral gingham tablecloth from the At Home clearance section for 50% off!

Other ways to use gingham prints:

• Throw pillows
• Bedding
• Cloth napkins
• Throw blankets

6) Set a Neutral Table

The neutral gingham tablecloth is the inspiration for this late summer, early fall table setting!

Choose a Placesetting

I searched our home for items that matched the tablecloth and settled on the items in the picture above.

An inexpensive placemat was purchased from HomeGoods several years ago, you can see a similar woven placemat here.

Next, I placed our everyday dinner plates and layered them with a white salad plate.

Then, I added champagne-colored eating utensils and finished with mason jars for glasses!

Layer Napkins

To add interest to the table setting I layered two napkins inside a napkin ring.

I started with tan napkins I purchased from At Home on clearance and topped it with a brown napkin.

DIY a Napkin Holder

Several years ago I made these neutral floral napkin rings for an Easter table.

They are so pretty and easy to make!

7) Swap throw pillows

One of the easiest ways to refresh your decor for fall is by swapping out your throw pillows.

This small change can make a big impact, instantly making your seating areas more inviting.

I love the texture on these white pillow covers and relocated them from our couch to the dining room!

8) Display Vintage Books

Incorporate vintage books into your fall decor to add a touch of timeless charm and warmth to your home.

Choose books with covers that have earthy tones to complement the rich colors of fall.

9)Incorporate Brass Candlesticks

Displaying taper candles in brass candlesticks is a classic and elegant way to enhance your fall decor.

The flickering candlelight will reflect beautifully off the brass, to create a cozy atmosphere!

Conclusion

Embracing the shift from summer to fall decor doesn’t mean filling your space with pumpkins!

By focusing on the textures, colors, and natural elements that define the season, you can create a cozy vibe without relying on traditional decor.

Are you ready to embrace the autumn season?

Whether you start today or wait till next month, with these nine tips, easing into fall decorating has never been easier!

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Blessings, Donna and Rich

Pin It For Later

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More Fall Decor Inspiration

It’s time to get inspired for a new season!

Here are several ideas to help you craft a space that envokes the spirit of fall.

• DIY Fall Decor Crafts You Need To Start Now
• 9 Fall Kitchen Decor Ideas You Can Easily Duplicate
• Fall Porch Decor Ideas You and Your Neighbors Will Love
• 7 Autumn Home Decor Crafts You Can Make
• Fall Decor Ideas for a Beautiful and Cozy Home

Get The Look

Here are items that we used in our early fall dining room! If we could not find the exact item, we linked something similar. Happy shopping!

Click the blue links below to get the details on each item!

Gingham Tablecloth // Tan cloth napkins // White placemats // Wood vase

Large palm frond // Faux pampos grass // Dried stems // 4 Spode dinner plates

Fleur-de-lis figurine // 3 candlestick holders // Amber Glass Vase