Here in the desert, September doesn’t always feel like fall. Our temperatures can still be well over 100 degrees, so I’m not quite ready for heavy blankets and all the deep, rich colors of late fall. Still, I’m always ready to add a little touch of the season to our home. One Living Room, Two Fall Looks.
I thought it would be fun to show how I take our living room from a light early-fall look to something warmer and cozier for later in the season—and how changing just one simple thing can make the whole room feel different.
A Light and Airy Look for Early Fall
For early fall, I like to keep the room feeling light, cool, and comfortable. I started with the soft neutral colors already in the room and added touches of beige, camel, and cream.
The neutral pillows add pattern and texture without making the room feel too heavy. A soft cream throw keeps everything light and bright, while wheat and a few leather pumpkins bring in just enough fall color.
I especially love using the wheat and leather pumpkins because they repeat the warm camel tones in the pillows and accessories. They say fall without covering every surface in orange pumpkins.
The coffee table is simple too. A bundle of wheat, a few pumpkins, antlers, and greenery are all it needs. The greenery keeps the arrangement fresh, while the wheat and pumpkins add that first hint of autumn.
This lighter version feels just right when the calendar says fall but the weather still says summer.
I especially love using the wheat and leather pumpkins because they repeat the warm camel tones in the pillows and accessories. They say fall without covering every surface in orange pumpkins.
The coffee table is simple too. A bundle of wheat, a few pumpkins, antlers, and greenery are all it needs. The greenery keeps the arrangement fresh, while the wheat and pumpkins add that first hint of autumn.
This lighter version feels just right when the calendar says fall but the weather still says summer.
One Simple Change for a Cozier Room
Once our temperatures finally begin to cool down, I’m ready for the room to feel warmer too.
Instead of completely redecorating, I changed only one thing: I replaced the light cream throw with a soft chocolate-brown throw that I already had.
That one deeper color instantly warmed up the room.
The pillows, wheat, leather pumpkins, greenery, and other accessories all stayed exactly where they were. I didn’t need to buy anything new or start over. The chocolate throw simply brought out all the warm brown and camel tones that were already in the room.
Now the living room feels comfortable and cozy for those cooler late-fall evenings.
Early Fall or Cozy Fall?
The early-fall version is light, airy, and welcoming. The late-fall version feels warmer, richer, and a little cozier.
It’s amazing how much difference one small change can make.
This is also a good reminder that seasonal decorating doesn’t have to mean buying boxes of new decorations or redoing an entire room. Sometimes all it takes is changing a throw, adding a deeper color, or bringing in a little more texture.
A Fall Table That Works for Both Looks
The dining area works beautifully with both versions of the living room.
I carried the leather pumpkins over to the table and added soft greenery, candles, and natural textures. The warm wood table and brown napkins coordinate with the richer late-fall room, while the white dishes and glassware keep everything light enough for early fall.
That means the table can stay just as it is while the living room changes with the season.
I love both versions of this room. The lighter look is perfect when fall first begins, and the chocolate throw makes it cozy when cooler weather finally arrives.
Which look do you prefer—light early fall or warm and cozy late fall?
You might also enjoy: Fall to Halloween & Thanksgiving
Oh yes, Marty—I can see it perfectly now, and this comparison works very well. Putting the rooms side by side makes the change immediately noticeable. The chocolate throw in the late-fall room really does warm everything up.
This is an excellent Facebook image at 800 × 419. I would use it just as it is.
For Pinterest, make a separate tall version:
- Size: 1000 × 1500
- Stack the photographs one above the other
- Put Early Fall on the first
- Put Late Fall on the second
- Add the larger headline: One Living Room, Two Fall Looks
For Instagram, a taller 1080 × 1350 version will fill more of the phone screen. We can use the same stacked arrangement there.
