A Delightful Autumn Makeover!

An Autumn Makeover springs forth from an inspiration of crisp fall colors, a bountiful harvest and holidays from Labor Day to Thanksgiving.

autumn grapevine rabbit filled with faux fruit with white twinkle lights and a ceramic pumpkin

What inspires you when you decide to do an autumn makeover? Seasonal decor influenced by the rich hues of the changing leaves? The smell of pumpkin coffee when you enter a coffee shop? A bon fire with the dancing flames in front of you? Or maybe the cool air reminding you it’s time to pull out your warm sweaters, tall boots and thick blankets?

For me an autumn makeover is all of those things, but also I just look forward to a change up. Opening my totes full of fall decor is like opening presents at Christmas. The smell of candles left over from last year fill the house immediately. Unwrapping tissue paper, I get excited over items I forgot I even had! I know I only have a short time to enjoy them before the next major holiday occurs. So with a nightly ritual I light the candles, turn on twinkle lights and enjoy a hot cup of cider.

Autumn Makeover: Built-In Sideboard

My autumn makeover of my dining room is one of my seasonal favorites. This room is very important in a home as, hopefully, you sit down to eat there as a family. Often when decorating seasonally, I like to revive an item by using it in a new way. This grapevine bunny that I love so much held Easter eggs only a week ago. It was the main focal point of my dining table. Now it contains faux fruit while sitting on the sideboard. This is a little trick to try when reimaging a space and it is cost effective too.

When decorating it is important to keep in mind all of the senses. Of course there are so many beautiful colors in autumn to choose from. Red, golds, oranges are all such warm colors. Throw in some browns and burnished hues like cranberry and ochre and you have a palette screaming to be used!

Smell is another important factor. Candles come in a wide array of scents, but if you are not a candle lover, essential oils and slow release air fresheners will work. Another idea is is to place a pot of simmering cider on the stove top with cinnamon sticks and other aromatics or brew up some pumpkin coffee!

The sense of touch, taste and hearing are a bit harder to accomplish. Placing a tray of candied apples out can be decorative and give your guests something to taste! Seasonal coffee and cider also accomplishes this. For touch, I recommend textured table linens. There is nothing like the sound of a flickering fire. If you don’t have a fireplace like myself, you can always put on a faux fireplace on the tube!

Autumn Makeover: Table Setting

Your tablescape is very important too, especially for those comfort Sunday dinners! Just like the saying “we eat with our eyes first” you want to feel welcomed at the table visually. The small touches you add are a fun way to get the kids involved as well. My children used to love setting the table and making place cards for every season and holiday. Many of which I still have!

A room doesn’t need to have an elaborate make-over. You can decorate a small corner with some inexpensive dollar store items. Even some free items from Mother Nature! Give your kids a basket and send them outside to collect leaves, pine cones and acorns. A swag of colored leaves and berries can dress up a chandelier. And serving warm cider with dinner would make anyone happy!