How You Can Bring Nature Right Inside During Autumn

Photo by Vlada Karpovich

As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, many of us feel the pull of nature. Autumn has a way of wrapping the world in warm hues and rich textures, offering a seasonal invitation to slow down and reconnect with the outdoors. But who says you have to stay outside to enjoy the season’s beauty? With some creativity, you can bring the best of autumn into your home, creating a cozy atmosphere that reflects the magic happening just beyond your door.

It is the season of cozy sweaters, crackling fires, and the irresistible scent of pumpkin spice lattes. But the taste of autumn is so wonderful too (maybe even the best part)! As the leaves turn golden and the crisp breeze whispers through the trees, something undeniably magical is in the air. From colorful leaves to the scent of cinnamon and pine, autumn provides endless inspiration for transforming your living space. Whether you’re a fan of natural decor or looking to enhance your home’s ambiance, incorporating elements from the outdoors can make your interior feel connected to the season. Think vibrant foliage, rustic wood accents, and soft, earthy tones that echo the seasonal shift.

Embracing the essence of autumn inside isn’t just about decoration—it’s about creating a space that nurtures your soul and fosters a sense of well-being. Imagine unwinding in a room filled with the natural warmth of the season, a reflection of the autumnal magic surrounding you. Let’s explore how you can seamlessly invite nature into your home during this beautiful time of year.

There’s the Allure of Autumn

Autumn is all about transformation. The lush greens of summer fade into a breathtaking mix of deep oranges, fiery reds, and warm yellows. This seasonal shift is the perfect excuse to refresh your living space, making it as cozy and inviting as your favorite oversized knit sweater.

While spring and summer are all about bright bouquets, floral prints, and wide-open windows that let nature flow inside, autumn calls for a different approach. Usually, there’s this idea that it’s easy to bring the outdoors inside when it comes to spring and summer. After all, there’s a lot of decor that is nature-focused. Even when it comes to patio decor, it’s also very nature-focused. Technically, the same can be said for winter, too.

But what about autumn? Well, yes, granted, it’s primarily pumpkins, which seem mainly tied to Halloween. But overall, the goal is to keep that seamless connection to the outdoors, even as the temperatures drop and the days get shorter.

Start By Embracing Earthy Tones

One of the easiest ways to bring autumn indoors is by embracing the rich, earthy tones that define the season. Spring, summer, and winter have color schemes, so they’re not any different from autumn, of course. 

There are the basic ones you see outside, like orange, red, and yes, mustard yellow, too. All of these are shown on leaves and crops that grow during this time of year. You can bring these colors into your home through throw pillows, blankets, curtains, and rugs. Swapping out lighter summer textiles for heavier, more textured fabrics like wool, tweed, or velvet instantly adds warmth and coziness to any room.

Look into Textures

Spring and summer tend to have this airy texture that goes with these seasons, like flowy linen, for example. When it comes to winter, the textures are very chunky and hardy, like a thick sweater. So, what about autumn? Well, it’s a mix, but mostly a thicker texture. For example, you can add woven baskets to your decor (which is usually used in summer decor anyway), chunky knits, and even wooden elements to consider.

Consider Adding Some Autumnal Greenery

Fresh flowers are great in the warmer months, but autumn calls for a different kind of greenery. So, you’ll want to think of seasonal foliage like eucalyptus, ferns, or even branches from a birch or maple tree. These can be arranged in vases or used as a larger centerpiece on your dining table.

While yes, you could go to your local Hobby Lobby or even pay a bit extra on the Magnolia website for some faux plants, you’re honestly better off just going sustainable and getting some outside (maybe even from your own lawn).

Of course, pumpkins, gourds, and other seasonal produce are must-haves for autumn decor. You can’t go wrong with any of these, especially pumpkins and pears; they’re both like autumn staples. 

You could also forage for acorns, dried corn husks, and pinecones. But go on Pinterest or even scroll through social media. You’ll find plenty of home decor influencers incorporating these sorts of natural elements (albeit usually faux) into their autumn-themed decor. It’s one of the best ways to feel like you’re outside.

Think About the Warmth

What comes to your mind when you think of “lighting’ and “autumn”? For a lot of people, it’s minimal sunlight and candles. So, it’s usually cloudy and rainy during Autumn (not always, but usually), so ambient lighting can help with nature. Technically, even candlelight can help; there’s just something about that flickering light that feels as warm as a gentle autumn sunset. Plus, since fall tends to get chilly, fire has a sort of way of making you feel all warm and cozy, right?

Enjoy the Warmer Days

So, Autumn might be a little weird, depending on where you live. Maybe sometimes it’s chilly and rainy, warm, sometimes it’s hot, or just one of these. But usually in Autumn, especially in September, there’s that transitional period of cold mornings and evenings, but the afternoons are hot (or at least mild). 

These days, it might be a good idea to let your windows open and let there be a transition between the indoors and outdoors (just like in the summer months). You might even want to look into customizable patio door replacements if you want a more permanent solution to creating that seamless transition—not just for autumn, of course, but any season. It just has a way of making your space feel bigger and almost never-ending.

Don’t Forget Seasonal Scents

Believe it or not, autumn is as much about scent as it is about sight. What smells immediately come to your mind? For many people, it’s usually cloves, cinnamon, wood-burning fires, and, yes, pumpkin-spice everything! You could do simmer pots (as they’re super cute), but candles can do the job, too.

Nature-Inspired Decor

So right now, at the end of summer, shops are selling autumn decor, and this is also the time that Pinterest shows a lot of craft content for DIYing autumn decor, too. So, why not buy or create wreaths, garlands, or even a centerpiece to celebrate the season? Like mentioned above, it’s pumpkin, pears, leaves, acorns, pinecones, sticks, and whatever else you want to incorporate. You just can’t go wrong with this.

Embrace the Autumnal Magic in Your Home

As the autumn season unfolds, there’s no need to leave the beauty of nature outside. By incorporating natural elements and embracing the rich colors and textures of fall, you can transform your living space into a cozy retreat that reflects the magic of the season. Whether through subtle touches or bold decor choices, bringing the essence of autumn indoors allows you to stay connected to nature while enjoying the comfort of your home. So, let the season inspire you and create a warm, inviting atmosphere that nourishes both body and soul.