Add some light. Maybe you will want to do lighted pumpkins or special Halloween lights. Make an arrangement of varying height autumn colored candles on the mantle or as a centerpiece. Burn one of the scented candles in Pumpkin Pie, Apple/Cinnamon, or another fall scent. String a strand of simple white lights through the candles on the mantle, along the sideboard, or draped over a window. Replace bright white lamp shades with ones in ivory or soft yellow for a warmer look.
Accessorizing
We'll talk about some of the obvious items, pumpkins, leaves, etc., later, but there are other items that bring warmth to a room. Use a brass container to hold your arrangement. Stack some books on the coffee table and top them with a wooden bowl of apples. A mug full of cinnamon sticks adds both sight and scent reminders. Make cinnamon stick candles by lining cinnamon sticks up around various white pillar candles and tying them in place with raffia.
Put hurricane chimneys over some candles on the mantle, wind autumn leaf garlands through them. Pewter mugs and candlesticks can be lovely with ivy and white lights entertwined.
Windows
If your summer look was no curtains or barely there curtains, now is the time to add heavier window coverings. They not only can give the room a feeling of warmth, but can actually help insulate the room from cold drafts.
If you don't want to totally drape the windows, consider swags of an autumny color that will coordinate with other furnishings. Maybe crimson, burgundy or antique gold, consider a tapestry print in autumn colors and use coordinating pillows. Look for heavier fabrics like corduroy, velvet, damask, or canvas. Consider heavier, decorative tiebacks, such as a thick gold braid or a velvet ribbon.
The Floors
If your home sported bare wood floors or tile all summer, now is a good time to consider some throw rugs for extra warmth and coziness. You can even layer throw rugs over carpet for a warmer look. Braided or rag rugs provide an especially homey look.
Bring the Outdoors in
A walk in the country or a park can provide you with the basis of some lovely fall arrangements. Look for pinecones, leaves, twigs, wheat, branches, or cornstalks. Buy others at craft stores, the grocery, or roadside stands. Indian corn, gourds, pumpkins, and apples are always suitable. Craft stores have preserved real leaves available in gold, brown, red, and orange. They often have bunches of wheat and miniature bales of straw to use in decorating. Look for fall ribbons, garlands, and flowers, as well.
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