10 Cozy Living Room Decor Ideas Just in Time for Fall

From the yellowing of the leaves to the crispening of the morning air, there are subtle cues all around that summer is quickly fading into a distant memory.

While one part of me is mourning the youthful, carefree energy of sun-filled water days that I know will soon be gone, another part of me (perhaps the witchier side) is ready to embrace a darker, cozier way of being.

Although I am not one to change my decor scheme with each new season, I do like to at least acknowledge what is going on in nature through low-key home styling tweaks.

No need for kitschy pieces that will only add clutter to your home and stress to your wallet, in my humble opinion, fall is all about comfort and coziness, and what better way to get into the autumnal spirit than by soaking in some living room inspiration- all with strong undertones of cozy?!

To celebrate pumpkin latte season (yes…fall brings out my inner basic b*tch), directly below, I am sharing 10 cozy living room ideas along with a few decorating tips!

1. Soften a brick fireplace with pillows-

Back at my 1980’s fixer upper home, my white brick fireplace felt a little too sterile for my taste once the warmth of summer was gone. To counterbalance the cold, hard brick, I styled my hearth with some fluffy pillows to make it feel a little more soft and welcoming.

2. Pair brown leather furniture with dark walls-

Here at my 1970’s lake cottage, I wanted my living room to feel like an all-enveloping cave (perfect for fuss-free movie nights). However, with messy young boys and fur babies, I did not want anything in this room to feel too precious. So… a brown leather sofa it simply had to be (despite the fact that I would have loved a linen sectional to pop against the walls)!

While charcoal walls and dark furniture may sound too overwhelmingly drab, I was able to break up all of the darkness by incorporating lighter-colored textiles into the mix. With the right accessories, brown leather can be both cozy and chic!

3. Warm up an all-white room with wool-

For the light and airy lovers out there who want to add warmth to your all-white space, take a note from this beautiful room by Amy Storm and Company and ground your space with a textural wool rug. Adding an additional layer of richness and rusticity with wood paneling, don’t forget to use your ceiling material as an opportunity to boost the cozy factor as well!

4. Layer in deeper tones and textures-

Speaking of layers, this gorgeous living room by Laine and Layne perfectly exemplifies what tasteful fall decorating is all about. No need for blatantly seasonal decor here! Pops of texture and darker-toned fabrics do all the heavy-lifting among a delicate background of whites and creams.

5. Utilize luxurious textiles-

If you’d rather your cozy lean more lux than rustic, follow House of Valentina’s lead and create a sense of warmth with elevated fabrics like velvet and fur. Of course a dramatic black fireplace doesn’t hurt the vibe either!

6. Draw inspiration from Ski lodge aesthetic-

Nothing says cozy like a chalet tucked away in the mountains but if travel to a luxury resort is not in the budget, you can always create this vibe in your own home! Taxidermy, sheepskin, rustic wood accents, and a blazing fire are just a few staples to consider!

7. Thoughtfully curate year-round coziness with your design choices-

If you know a blend of cozy and airy is your jam and you have the luxury of designing a room from scratch, this room by Amber Interiors proves not only that you can have the best of both worlds but also that it is totally possible to create a space which needs no styling alterations despite the changing of the seasons. A dark sectional against a creamy off-white backdrop and rough-hewn beams sets the foundation for the space, while textural linen drapes and a timeless Oriental rug add softness and a sense of comfort.

8. Juxtapose the masculine with feminine details-

Masculine spaces are most often inherently cozy with their deeper, rustic qualities. However, this fabulous space by Susan Ferrier Interiors is all the more cozy with its layering of a few luxurious touches like the velvet sectional material and pleated drapes- all juxtaposed with a masculine hardscape.

9. Bring the colors of late autumn indoors-

The stereotypical interpretation of fall is often bright and loud, but in the later months of the season, once the leaves begin to fall, Mother Nature actually offers the perfect autumnal color palette for those of us who shy from bold . Recreate the essence of this lovely living space from West of Main Design and think in terms of dried foliage tones- opting for rust and terracotta versus vivid orange.

10. Don’t forget the patina!

Whether it be an aged, wood surface or a worn terra cotta vase, decorative pieces exhibiting patina not only give your home more depth and texture, but warmth- breaking up the monotony of shiny, new surfaces. I am so in love with this rich and layered styling here from Shelley Bates Home. Who said tonal spaces can’t be cozy?!

I hope today’s inspiration round-up has you stoked about tweaking your home decor for the colder months!

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Now get out there and design some good vibes along with a fabulous life!