Cool Ideas for Fall Decorating

The easiest seasonal decorating change involves using warmer palettes, heavier fabrics and dimmed lighting, says home-stager Jennie Norris of We Stage Sacramento. "As the weather cools, your whole focus switches to the indoors, and you'll find yourself spending more and more hours inside," she says. "We layer our bodies for warmth, and can layer our houses the same way," to make rooms cozy and inviting.

"Little things make big differences when it comes to keeping your interiors from stagnating," says Hans, whose firm, A Perfect Placement, specializes in one-day makeovers. "Accessories are where you can add pop each season by bringing fresh colors and textures into every room of the house." Here are nine easy decorating updates to rejuvenate your home for fall.

Out go the pastels, in comes a richer palette that takes inspiration from the changing of the leaves, the abundance of the harvest and the fire of the autumn sunset. "Try to bring in oranges, browns and bronzes," Hans says. "This year, we're seeing a lot of bright, bright red coming for the fall season, too." Introduce these tones in small ways, by replacing your peony-patterned placemats, or updating that old seashell-strewn shower curtain. If you're not keen on jack-o'-lantern orange, Hans says there are plenty of other orange shades to choose from. And if the paint on your walls has you committed to Easter egg pink, yellow or green, look for a fall variation: deep rose, mustard gold or gray olive.

If you have a beige or gray sofa, simply changing the accent pillows when it gets chilly will go a long way. Even if you have a jewel-toned couch, or minimalist all-white decor, you can mix things up by incorporating textures like jacquard and quilting or animal patterns like zebra striping, Hans says.

"Cooler weather means not only warmer fabrics, but ones that are more opulent," Norris says, who suggests indulging in faux fur, chenille, mohair and velvet. Liberally sprinkle these touches anywhere, from the throw on your sofa to your bedding to your bath rug.