15+ Fabulous Indoor Fall Decor: Creating Cozy Spaces

The air is beginning to smell like cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and, of course, everything nice. But fall ambiance is so much more than just the smell in the air–it’s about the cooler weather, sweaters, crunchy leaves, and, of course, decorations. If you’re not sure how to step up your decorations this year, we’ve got you covered with these fall indoor decor ideas.

Nature-Inspired Indoor Fall Decor

Garlands. Making a garland from simple, natural materials is one of the simplest, timeless ways to spruce up a space without breaking the bank. Acorns? Leaves? Pinecones? All you need is a little bit of twine, hot glue, and a vision.

Dried foliage. Fresh flowers are always a hit, but they can really get expensive if they’re out of season. Fortunately, one of the great things about fall is that along with the “harvest” theme, it becomes a bit more common to see dried plants and flowers as a part of decorations and displays. Use this to your advantage–whether it’s a dried bundle on the dining room table or a whimsical bunch of dried mums hanging from the entryway doorframe.

Set the Scene!

Fall fairy garden. Use a large indoor planter to create a fall-themed fairy garden with mini pumpkins, gnomes, moss, and small autumn leaves. I like visiting the thrift store and finding small ceramic critters and people who would look nice in my fairy garden. Try putting it inside of a glass cloche!

Posed skeleton. Skeletons are IN this year. Even animals that technically don’t have bones have been skeletonized (spiders?). We might have Phoebe Bridgers for this phenomenon, but we’re not mad. Pose your skeleton, or better yet, dress them up as your favorite pop idol. I saw a photo of Lana DeCay (a skeleton Lana Del Ray) that almost made me spit out my coffee.

Don’t forget the lighting. Sure, we’ve all seen the novelty lighting like strings of LED pumpkins. While those are campy and fun, you don’t have to go all out for a decoration that only comes out for one month in the year. Investing in a good set of regular, warm, white copper wire string lights is an excellent idea for any season! They elevate tablescapes, mantles, piles of pumpkins, or any little spot you have decorated for the season.

Lanterns. These rustic luminaries are the epitome of fall. We always set up lanterns on our front porch as soon as there’s a bit of crisp in the air. While you can put some faux tea lights inside, you can also add other fall-themed items like acorns, leaves, or seed pods.

Textiles, Textures, and Colors, Oh My!

Knits. One of the tell-tale signs that the weather is cooling down is the appearance of cable knits. You don’t have to just use this fabric in a throw, though. Look for seasonal pillows, wall tapestries, and ottomans, all of which can add a little cable knit charm to your indoor decor.

Velvet accents. Velvet exudes an air of opulence and comfort. Velvet cushions in rich fall colors like burgundy, deep orange, or mustard can make your living space look and feel incredibly cozy.

Plaid. Did you ever go through a plaid flannel phase? I certainly did–circa 2016. Maybe you’re still in yours because it works for you (I’m a firm believer that once you find a style you love, you should stick with it for as long as you want). Fortunately, while my wardrobe has moved on from plaid, the style itself universally makes a resurgence around fall each year. Don’t be afraid to use it in your indoor decor, whether it’s a table runner, blanket, or napkins. It just always adds a touch of “homey” to any space in the fall.

Denim. Okay, so this one might be controversial. But I think denim is a fall texture. What do scarecrows wear? Denim overalls. What are the pants of choice for apple picking? A good pair of jeans. What do cowboys wear? Blue jeans. Wait, are cowboys fall-coded? No matter. In my heart, they are. Plus, I love the way a pop of blue looks with those warm tones.

Get Creative

Mod Podge pumpkins. Listen, not all of us are into the fall color palettes. And that’s okay. If your personal style leans more toward retro mod, cottagecore, or even sleek modern, you can still make pumpkins a part of your aesthetic with a little creativity. Use Mod Podge to attach paper or thin fabric to your pumpkins, then cover it with another layer for protection.

Unexpected pumpkins. Sure, we all know and love the classic fall vegetable. But if you think outside the box, there are many ways to make this icon of autumn. Whether yarn, twine, book pages, or mason jar lids, there’s no WRONG way to make your pumpkin.

Pillar candles. Candles always add a bit of romance to any space, but using glass vases to display your pillar candles allows you to fill in the space with fall-themed items. Some of my favorite ideas include acorns, candy corn, pinecones, popcorn kernels, and small gourds.

Floating witch hat luminaries. Suspend witch hats from the ceiling and place glow sticks inside for a spooky floating effect.

Chalk art. Why is chalk art so fall-coded? It’s something about those curly-swirly loops. Consider using chalk art signs or wall decor to write your favorite fall sayings! Don’t forget to add some pumpkins, ghosts, leaves, and anything that makes your fall-loving heart sing!

Make your own wreath. Can’t find what you’re looking for in the store? It might just be craft time. Find some of your favorite dried foliage from outside, pinecones, or even fake florals from the craft store, a wire/foam base, hot glue, and make your wreath! As the weather gets a bit cooler, I’m already buckled down into craft mode anyway.

Find the Right Indoor Fall Decor for Your Style

From cozy knit throws to amber-hued glassware, and rustic centerpieces to pumpkin-spiced everything, fall decor is all about creating a sanctuary of coziness. What are some of your favorite ways to decorate for the fall? Tag us in your best indoor fall decor on Instagram @getfamilyapp!