How to Turn Your Home Into a Cozy Sanctuary This Fall

Feathering your nest

Fall is a fan favorite when it comes to seasons, and while this year is different in so many ways, we can still embrace extra comforts that will warm our homes and hearts for the months to come. 

While some Halloween traditions might need adjustments to keep everyone safe, your home can certainly become a sanctuary that offers comfort and rest. To get a jump-start on the season, we’ve gathered a few ideas to create that perfect cozy vibe.  

Scroll through the arrows above for some new ideas. 

Light up your space

Waking up in the dark can exacerbate feelings of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or just give you a general sense of malaise. To combat grumpy wake-ups, invest in an alarm clock that awakens you with the gentle light of a sunrise that mimics the real deal. If you share a room with someone who isn’t so inclined to be woken up with a bright light, a SAD lamp can be used throughout the day and can help you feel a little bit cheerier through the fall and winter months. 

Candles are the quintessential fall home décor addition and you can never have enough. From pumpkin spice to outdoorsy smells with a hint of firewood, pop a few around your home for a calming, cozy vibe as soon as the sun goes down. Anthropologie’s candles are a splurge, but their variety and potency of scents is always impressive. Target’s Hearth & Hand line, on the other hand, offers wonderful options at a more affordable price. 

Get comfy

No matter how old your kids are, if they’re of reading age, the perfect cozy nook to snuggle into with their favorite book is a great autumn addition. Invest in a comfy bean bag chair and a super soft throw, and set them up with a new stack of books from the library or your local bookstore.  Speaking of blankets, weighted blankets have become increasingly popular over the past few years. This popular weighted blanket might just help you combat some of the anxiety we’re all facing at this point in 2020. 

Taking up knitting does sound like a fairly peaceful pandemic endeavor, but if you aren’t sold on the hobby, investing in a few cute textured knit home accessories is sure to make your home feel cozier. Crocheted plant pots would be super cute, especially with a few cacti or succulents. And this knit throw blanket would be perfect for evenings on the couch or draped across your bed. 
 

Celebrate the season

Seasonal décor is such a fun addition to your home in the fall, and jack-o’-lanterns and ghosts are perfect for the weeks leading up to Halloween. But for a less holiday-centric option, a dried wreath can add soft autumn texture to your home. This wheat wreath should last you through several autumns, as long as it’s stored properly. 

Adding a few seasonal bits to your fireplace mantle can really set the tone for the rest of your home. A pressed metal autumn leaves garland is perfect for draping across the mantle, but if you don’t have a fireplace, it can easily be hung from a window or door frame. 

When in doubt, add a pumpkin. These woven decorative pumpkins are very sweet and even have a bit of a sassy edge with a spiky stem. And for a more traditional, classic option, you could set up pillar candles in these gorgeous weathered metal hurricanes. 
 

Create a haven for your kids

Sprucing up your bedding for fall makes crawling into bed on those perfectly chilly evenings all the more enjoyable. You could opt for a warm flannel set, or even textural linen that’s all the rage. But for a cheerful pick-me-up, this mushroom bedding is perfectly autumnal and downright adorable. 

Indoor fun

After a summer spent in the back yard, autumn marks the beginning of a whole lot more indoor time for kids, so it’s the perfect time to prepare some fun indoor activities. While you can manage a fort with a few dining chairs and extra sheets, this fort-building kit adds a bonus STEM construction element, and you’ll be able to sit down to dinner without dismantling your child’s latest creation. Or add one of these fabulous indoor HugglePod swings for kids to tuck themselves away for a quiet read or play time with toys.