Over-the-top fall decor can quickly take your home from elegant to kitschy, as with any holiday or season. However, embracing the season with seasonally appropriate decor can help you embrace the longer, cooler nights ahead. You don’t have to go over the top with fluorescent orange pumpkins and garish Halloween-themed decorations. Bringing in additional texture, fall scents and autumn botanicals can create an elegant and welcoming fall-inspired home.

Change the Lightbulbs

As the sun sets earlier, making way for cozier nights at home, set the scene with softer, warmer lighting by switching out your light bulbs. To select light bulbs with a warmer glow, one metric to pay attention to is degrees Kelvin. Lower degrees Kelvin means a warmer, more golden color to enhance your fall decor.

Scent the Scene

Fall scents don’t need to be overly sweet-smelling. While fall scents are typically associated with pumpkin spice or apple pie, incorporating scents of leather, sage, musk, spices and wood will lend a rich, luxe aroma to your home without the sweetness.

Select a Fall Decor Color Palette

Choose a fall color palette that compliments your existing home decor. Whether you select an all-white pumpkin theme, a selection of green and white pumpkins and gourds, or a grouping or pastel-hued cinderella pumpkins, an understated color palette will blend in with nearly any decor style.

Pick Your Pumpkins

Often, a few strategically placed pumpkins are all you need to give your home a fall-inspired edge. Whether you line them in a row or create a centerpiece in a silver bowl or dish, a selection of mini pumpkins accented with additional greenery can be the only fall statement you need. Faux pumpkins also come in a variety of textures, such as seagrass or rattan. This brings in additional texture and warmth into your space while maintaining a neutral hue.

Edit Your Botanicals as Part of Fall Decor

If brightly colored mums and round orange pumpkins aren’t your style, embrace the botanicals to which you’re drawn. Maybe this means lighter-hued pumpkins, gourds and white mums, accented by eucalyptus, kale, moss or other greenery. It’s easy to add some favorite flowers to add to your fall decor.

Incorporate Extra Texture

Adding additional texture to your living areas will ensure autumn fulfills all your fall decor needs. Filling your living spaces with throws and pillows in sumptuous fabrics such as Alpaca, mohair and cashmere can make the most average evening feel elevated and unique.