Have you got that fresh pencil case feeling that you only get at the start of a new semester? It's Fall, rather than Spring, that can feel like the right time for a new start. Here are 5 ways to bring the new season into your home, from simple craft projects you can create in an afternoon to investments that will set you up for winter.
Incorporate woven décor into your home
Kilim is the new chevron; it's everywhere on Instagram, with more than 100,000 uses of the #kilim hashtag. Go full on with an intricately woven rug to warm up your living space, or look out for kilim pillows with or without tassles. They're an easier way to get in on the trend without breaking the bank. Kilim too fussy for you? Go for a blockier woven pattern in earthy colors for a nod to a folk look. A couple of woven wool blankets, rolled up in a crate or basket within grabbing distance of the sofa, are an instant way to get cozy on those first chilly evenings.
Embrace the darkness
It's not all about those falling leaf colors. All over Pinterest, black is the new white this Fall, with pins for matt black decor up nearly 200 per cent, including inky black walls and kitchen units. The image of a glossy black desk against a chalky black wall has been pinned more than 30,000 times. It's a look that's simple to recreate in a small space, where it's easier to be bold. Gold (and rose gold) is in as a gorgeous accent color, but go easy and keep it up to date with geometric shapes and clean lines. Copper works well too.
Go faux
Make a statement with on-trend faux fur, which is a seriously luxe way to prepare for those chilly days and nights. It's not a rug in front of the fire though. Use faux fur to line a structured mid-century armchair or lay one on the end of the bed to feel like you're sleeping in a boutique hotel.
The new neutral
Think natural
wood shutters, pale shades and rustic materials like iron, stoneware, wool and linen. The key is to layer tones and textures. On Pinterest, there's been a 220 per cent increase in people saving ideas for this kind of neutral Fall decor. A set of vintage-inspired chalky painted pumpkins have been pinned more than 19,000 times. Create the look by painting squash in different sizes and displaying them ad hoc with candles and pine cones, also given the white treatment. It takes an arrangement you'd expect and makes it smarter - and the perfect tonal match for a neutral scheme.
Bring Fall to your front door
Wreaths are not just for Christmas. Make a September-inspired version with evergreen foliage entwined with golden leaves to hang on the front door. For something less formal, use natural finds including seasonal produce like apples and squash to make a focal point on your mantelpiece - it will easily last a weekend.