Welcome to the time of year when seasonal decor can change faster than the temperature.
By the time the leaves slip from green to golden and red, it’s often only a matter of weeks until they fall, Halloween is over, and we’re onto the rest of the holidays.
So rather than blowing your decor budget on a heap of spooky decor, we’d like to introduce some seasonal looks that will last you right up until December.
These five fall designs from Instagram capture the storybook-like romance and whimsy of the season with an effortless, cozy style that won’t expire.
1. Fall mantelpiece
If there’s absolutely one place in your living room where you should go all out this season, it’s on your mantelpiece. And we’re taking our inspiration from this look by @danatime.ps.
“A fall mantelpiece is a seasonal favorite, which provides a focal point that sets the mood for the entire room,” says designer Alice Moszyznski, of Planner 5D. She recommends using a mix of autumn-colored florals, candles, and cozy textures to embody the season’s warmth.
“The layered look brings storytelling elements to the space as if each piece was collected during quiet walks or festive gatherings,” says Moszyznski. “Pair these with flickering lights or vintage vases to further the look.”
2. Lanterns everywhere
For those who love to embrace the darker side of the season (we see you, Halloween fanatics), one romantic way to achieve this is with lanterns, like this design from @autumn.coven.
“Lanterns are a quintessential fall element that adds an Old World charm to any room,” says Moszyznski. “They’re popular because they create a sense of magic and add a lovely layer of lighting—like something out of a fairy tale cottage deep in the woods.”
3. Foraged botanicals
Speaking of something out of a fairy tale, nothing captures the enchanting vibes of the season quite like a bouquet of foraged botanicals, as in this design from @decorcrushdaily.
“There’s something raw and authentic about using foraged botanicals in fall decor,” says designer Elissa Hall, of Awning. “Displaying found objects like branches and dried grasses gives your living room a sense of imperfection that feels real, grounded, and almost nostalgic.”
4. Giant clock
Another way to play with whimsical designs in your fall living room decor? By experimenting with scale—and going big with a central piece like this giant clock from @my_farmhouseish_home.
“The giant clock trend offers a sense of whimsy that feels straight out of ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” says Hall. “When paired with softer elements, it becomes less about timekeeping and more about creating a story—one where time feels suspended, like a moment frozen in the magic of fall.”
5. Cozy, coffee-colored textiles
We love orange and red as much as the next person. Yet there’s something to be said for choosing textiles in hues that can last all season long, while still replicating the coziness and festive feeling of brighter colors. For this, we turn to the layered deep browns featured in this look from @theroaringcreekhome.
“Rich, coffee-colored textiles are gaining popularity because they show timelessness,” says Moszyznski. “This trend works beautifully in fall because these earthy tones mimic the natural shift in the world outside, offering a grounding presence with brighter fall colors.”
