Easy Fall Home Updates
Well, folks—we did it. We made it through another summer of wet swimsuits on the floor, sunscreen fingerprints on every glass door, and me wondering how exactly children can generate so much sand without ever going to the beach. And now here we are at the tail end of September, which in my house means it’s officially that in-between season: early mornings where you may want a cardigan, afternoons where you question every clothing decision you made, and evenings where you’re tempted to build a fire even though you’ll probably regret it by the time it actually gets going.
And while the calendar says fall, here in Chattanooga it’s still hanging out in the high 70s. Which means I want all the cozy vibes, but I also don’t want to sweat through my chunky knit sweater—or my living room. This is why I lean into simple layering tricks that whisper “fall” without making the house feel like it belongs in a harvest festival brochure. Think warmth, texture, and mood, styled in a way that feels collected, timeless, and easy to live with.
Branches in Antique Pottery
Swap, Don’t Store
Before you start boxing up every summery textile, pause. One of my favorite tricks is to layer, not replace. That linen pillow you’ve loved all summer? Keep it. Just add a nubby wool pillow next to it. Same goes for throws—drape that chunky knit over the back of the sofa but keep the lightweight one in the basket. It’s not about erasing summer; it’s about creating that layered, “we actually live here” look.
Blanket Baskets for the Win
Shelf Styling for Fall
If your shelves are anything like mine, they’re already full of treasures you’ve collected over time—antique pottery, Belgium vintage brushes (yes, I went through a phase), a stack of old cocktail books next to some barware that gets more admired than used. Fall is the perfect excuse to edit just a bit and lean into the earthier tones. Swap out a bright vase for something matte and textural, add a wooden bowl with apples or pears (instant warmth + bonus snack), or even stack a few old books with warm, worn spines. It doesn’t take much to shift the mood.
Antique Belgian Brushes
Lighting Is Fall’s Love Language
Summer is all about natural light, but fall is about lamps, lamps, and more lamps. Swap in a shade that diffuses softer light, pull out that vintage pharmacy lamp you thrifted but never actually plugged in, or even just move an existing lamp to a darker corner. A single warm glow can make your whole space feel cozier. Bonus points if you’re lighting candles again (I see you, sandalwood lovers).
My Vintage Pharmacy Lamp Fine
A Few Thoughtful Naturals
Here’s my rule: if you could find it outside your house on a Saturday walk, it’s fair game. Branch clippings in a tall vase? Yes. Dried hydrangeas that are slowly becoming that perfect antique-y brown? Absolutely. A shallow bowl of apples or pears on the kitchen counter? Done. The trick is to avoid going so literal that it feels like a themed party. Keep it subtle, organic, and a little imperfect.
Antique Pottery
The Friday Five: Easy Weekend Swaps
Because I know not everyone wants to spend hours styling shelves, here are five quick, affordable things you can do this weekend to cozy things up:
Swap one pillow for something textural (bouclé, wool, or velvet).
Add a throw to your sofa or bed (bonus if it looks good messy).
Light a candle in the evening and turn off the overheads.
Put a branch, apples, or pears in a vase or bowl you already own.
Edit one shelf with warmer-toned objects.
That’s it. Easy, right? Cozy, layered, and just enough of a nod to the new season without your living room looking like a pumpkin spice latte exploded in it. Now if only the weather would cooperate and let me actually enjoy building that fire.