How to Transition Your Home Decor From Summer to Fall

To make room for your new fall decor, start by finding a place to put all the seasonal summer items currently taking up space in your home. This includes swimsuits, beach towels, clothes, blankets and bedding, that you won’t need to use until the weather warms up again. It also includes larger items like lawn equipment, pool accessories and camping gear that might be cluttering your garage or shed.

Finding the right place to store your summer items allows you to stay organized and create space for all the cozy fall elements you want to incorporate into your interior. But how do you know the best storage space for your needs? Here are two options:

• Unused Spaces at Home: You may have areas in your home — like garages, basements and closets — where you can stash your summer items. While they’re convenient, these spaces can quickly become crowded. Plus, items you store at home may be exposed to dust, moisture and temperature changes, especially in basements or garages. If you’re going this route, make sure to use protective covers or containers and be mindful of the space you have.
• Self-Storage Units: While renting a self-storage unit may involve a bit more planning, they’re a great solution to keep your summer items safe and out of the way. Self storage has the advantage of freeing up valuable space in your home, so you can fully embrace the fall season without worrying about clutter. It’s an ideal option for storing bulkier pieces like patio furniture, outdoor umbrellas and summer-themed decorations. Storage units also provide a climate-controlled environment to protect delicate items like summer linens or outdoor cushions from dampness, mold and pests. Plus, with everything organized off-site, your home will feel refreshed and ready for the fall transformation.

We know it’s tempting, but resist your initial temptation to go on a no-holds-barred run to the store! Instead, create a fall mood board first to help you visualize how you want to decorate your space. Pinterest is an excellent resource since you can make a mood board with separate sections for each room in your home that you want to decorate.

To begin, create a Pinterest account (or log in if you already have one) and create a new board titled “Fall Home Inspo.” On Pinterest, boards help you organize the pins (i.e., your inspiration) that you save. If you want to organize your pins further, you can create different sections (subcategories) within each board. In other words, you can have separate areas of your board dedicated to your living room, dining room, bedroom or any other area of your home.

Once you’ve created boards and sections, it’s time to put on your favorite autumn playlist and start pinning. Use the search bar on your desktop or app to find design inspiration and pin your favorite items, looks and styles. You can even add notes to an individual pin and invite collaborators (such as a roommate or partner) to add pins and notes to your board as well.

Before buying any new items, take a moment to double-check what you already own. This will help you avoid getting duplicates of items and give you a clear vision of how to blend your existing pieces with anything new you might need to purchase.

Pull out any fall decorations from previous years, whether they’re tucked away in a bin at home or in your storage unit. Lay everything out and take a good look at what you have — this includes everything from throw blankets and pillows to wreaths and candles. It’s easy to forget about pieces you loved last season!

Next, check if any items need a refresh or show signs of wear. Consider whether your existing decor still matches your style, especially if you’ve updated other areas of your home since last fall. This will help you decide what’s worth keeping and what you might want to donate or repurpose.

Remember — the key is to avoid waste. If an item is still in good condition but no longer inspires you, take the opportunity to reimagine it. Maybe a set of lanterns from last year just needs new candles, or a wreath simply needs to be spruced up with new accents. You can often save money by making small tweaks or pairing items differently to breathe new life into older decor.

Once you’ve reviewed your existing collection, you’ll have a better idea of what’s truly missing or what might elevate your current setup. Jot down a list of new pieces you’d like to invest in, then head to the store.

Buying new items can be exciting, but a little planning is essential to ensure you make the right choices. Here are some tips:

• See it in person when you can. Online shopping is convenient, but nothing beats seeing decor in person. You’ll get a better sense of the item’s size, color and texture, which is especially important for larger items like rugs, pillows and wall art. Seeing an item firsthand lets you feel the quality and gauge if it truly fits your home’s style. If you shop online, check return policies in case something doesn’t look as expected once it arrives.
• Measure carefully. Before making a purchase, take accurate measurements of your space. Whether it’s for a new fall-themed wreath, decorative signs or outdoor planters, knowing the dimensions you’re working with helps avoid items that are too big or too small for their intended spot. Use painter’s tape to mark out where new pieces will go to visualize the layout.
• Focus on timelessness and reusability. Invest in high-quality, reusable pieces that can last year after year. Items like glass pumpkins, lanterns or cozy plaid throws are versatile and classic, making them great for mixing and matching as trends change. Avoid things that are overly trendy if you’re looking for long-term value — classic fall hues like burnt orange, deep reds and rich browns never go out of style.
• Stick with your home’s interior style. Fall decor should complement your existing interior design, not clash with it. Whether your home has a modern, farmhouse or traditional aesthetic, choose items that blend in nicely. For example, sleek metal pumpkins work well in modern spaces, while rustic wooden accents are ideal for farmhouse-inspired homes.
• Order early. Don’t forget to place online orders early to ensure everything arrives on time in case you’re planning for a dinner party, Halloween celebration or other occasion with a set date

…Or Make Your Own!

If you’re feeling crafty, try your hand at making your own fall-themed decor. For example, you can DIY a pressed leaf art wall by simply gathering the most colorful leaves from your backyard, pressing them between the pages of a large book or between layers of wax paper with heavy books on top, and then placing them in picture frames. You can hang the pressed leaf artwork throughout the house or create an entire pressed leaf art wall in your foyer or living room. 

You can also paint pumpkins, make a wreath out of pine cones or acorns, or create a garland out of leaves. Making your own fall decor can save you lots of money and ensure that it turns out exactly how you want it to. Better yet, you can reuse them every year.

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to decorating your new space, don’t fret. You don’t need to make big, sweeping changes to change your space. Minor additions or swaps can go a long way in revamping the look of your home. Here are some tips for different rooms:

Living Room

In the living room, consider replacing any throw blankets with cozier materials like chunky knit or chenille over sofas and chairs and replacing cream-colored pillows with autumnal patterns or colorful orange and gold options. You can also arrange fall items like faux autumn leaves, acorns, dried corn, pumpkins, pinecones and gourds on the fireplace mantle or as a centerpiece on your coffee table.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, you can switch up your bedding with a warmer, autumn-inspired alternative and add mini pumpkins in jars to your nightstand. You can also hang a small dried flower wreath above your headboard or on your bedroom door for a pop of color.

Bathroom

The bathroom is the perfect spot to put scented fall candles and a seasonal bath mat, as well as switch out your bath and hand towels with autumn-related alternatives.

Kitchen

Instead of fresh flowers, add dried grasses, wheatstalks or colorful leaves to your vases. Swap out hand towels with red, gold and orange alternatives, and bring out any seasonal dinnerware with autumn motifs like leaves, pumpkins and acorns. You can also display a fruit bowl with seasonal fruit on your island or kitchen counter and hang up mini wreaths on your cabinets.

Once fall begins to transition into winter, consider storing them in a storage unit to keep them safe and easily accessible for next year. You’ll want to dust off, clean and dry your items and take extra steps to protect any fragile items before storing them. For example, bubble-wrap any dishware or use tissue paper and boxes to store dried flowers and wreaths. Then check out our tips on keeping everything organized in your storage unit so you know exactly where to look next year when it’s time to decorate for fall again.