white living room with exposed beam wood ceiling with white couches and brown pillow covers

Cozy Fall Living Room: Easy, Affordable Decor Tips

|

As the air turns crisp and the days grow shorter, it’s the perfect time of year to refresh your living space and embrace the warmth of fall. One of my favorite things about decorating for the season is finding an easy way to update my decor without spending a fortune. This year, I focused on making budget-friendly changes to my living room fall decor from last year, and the results have completely transformed my living room into a cozy autumn retreat. With a few key pieces and some simple DIY projects, I was able to give my space a fresh, inviting look that feels both seasonal and timeless.

white living room with exposed beam wood ceiling with white couches and brown pillow covers

When it comes to fall decor ideas, it’s all about blending the new with the old. By reusing items I already had, like my faux pumpkins and brass candlesticks, and adding some new touches like DIY garlands and fresh pillow covers, I was able to create a whole new look for this cozy season. Best of all, these changes were affordable and easy to implement, making them perfect for anyone looking to update their cozy living room without breaking the bank. If you’re looking for inspiration to refresh your home, I’m excited to share the fall decor ideas that worked for me, as well as tips for making your living room feel extra warm and inviting for autumn.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase via one of these links I may receive a small commission from your purchase. This commission does not add any cost to you but helps me to continue to share new products and ideas with you. Thank y’all for always being so supportive!! 

Mantel Magic: DIY Garland, Painted Pumpkins, and Warm Brass Accents

white brick fireplace with wood mantel with fall leaf garland and pumpkins

The mantel is always a focal point in any room, and this fall, I gave mine a new life with a few special touches. I started with a DIY fall garland that I crafted from inexpensive faux fall stems—an easy and budget-friendly project that added a beautiful, organic feel to the room. You can find the step-by-step guide to making this garland in a previous blog post here. The varying shades of muted greens, golds, and browns in the garland complement the rest of my fall color palette perfectly. If you’d rather purchase fall garlands, thrift stores are a great option. 

fall leaf garland on wood mantel with brass candle sticks

To add a touch of warmth and richness, I painted several faux orange pumpkins in hues of dark green, caramel brown, and sage green. I explained the process and listed paint colors and sources in this previous blog post.These new colors brought a fresh, updated look to my pumpkins, and the darker tones are much more in line with the overall neutral color scheme I love for fall. I arranged these pumpkins on the mantel alongside vintage brass candlesticks with LED flameless candles, which give off a soft, flickering glow in the evening. To tie it all together, I added fall TV art, which subtly enhances the overall ambiance with a cozy fall landscape or rustic forest scene.

fall mantel with fall leaf garland and fall tree tv art

Finally, I displayed a pair of Handmade Wood Lanterns, which I featured in my article for American Farmhouse Style Magazine. These lanterns bring a rustic, handcrafted touch that adds even more warm wood tones and cozy candlelight to the space. You can check out the full tutorial for making your own wooden lanterns in the magazine here.

Coffee Table Charm: Natural Elements and DIY Candle Holders

When it comes to coffee table decor, I love keeping things simple yet impactful. A vintage wicker basket filled with pinecones is a natural and budget-friendly addition that adds texture and an earthy feel to the table. Pinecones are perfect for fall—they’re easy to find and add a bit of woodland charm to any setting.

coffee table with basket of pinecones and vase of dried hydrangeas and pumpkin candlestick holders

In contrast to the rustic pinecones, I placed an amber vase of dried hydrangeas from my garden next to the basket. The muted tones of the hydrangeas play off the other fall elements in the room, and their delicate texture adds a soft, romantic touch. They make the perfect fall flowers! These hydrangeas hold a special meaning for me, as they’re from my own yard, and I love incorporating personal pieces into my decor whenever possible. I shared all of my best tips and tricks for drying hydrangeas in this blog post.

gold pumpkin candle holders on wood coffee table with dried hydrangeas in a vase

To complete the coffee table, I added a pair of DIY pumpkin candle holders. These small, charming candle holders were a fun and easy project, and they give off just the right amount of glow for cozy fall evenings. They’re a lovely addition to the rest of the decor and make the whole coffee table look curated and intentional.

Soft and Cozy: Pillows and Throws on the Couch

No fall living room is complete without an abundance of cozy throw pillows and throw blankets. I switched out my regular pillow covers for a mix of deep olive green, caramel brown, and ivory tones, which complement the color palette of the room. The rich hues of the pillow covers add warmth, while still keeping the overall look neutral and sophisticated.

To bring in even more soft textures and coziness, I draped a camel-colored knit woven throw over the back of the couch. This throw is not only functional but also adds a beautiful texture to the room. It’s the perfect piece to snuggle up with on chilly autumn evenings.

You can find the links for all of the decor sources here.

green and white pillow cover on white couch with caramel colored brown throw blanket draped over arm

Reading Corner: Autumnal Tones and Cozy Accents

In the corner of the living room, I created a cozy reading nook that’s ideal for fall. The focal point of this space is a tall, autumn-toned faux eucalyptus tree in a wicker basket. The brown and gold hues of the eucalyptus leaves are perfect for fall, and the wicker basket ties in with the other natural elements in the room.

fall tree in corner of white living room with white wingback chairs on each side

For added comfort, I draped a pair of plaid green and white cozy blankets over the white slipcovered chairs and swapped out the pillow covers for ones with caramel brown accents. The combination of the plaid blankets and the coordinating pillows brings a warm, autumnal feel to the space, making it the perfect spot to curl up with a good book.

white wingback chair with green plaid throw blanket and brown and white throw pillow in white living room next to window

Tips for Creating a Cozy Fall Living Room

  • Use natural elements: Incorporate natural textures like pinecones, dried flowers, and wicker to bring a rustic, earthy feel to your space.
  • Stick to a cohesive color palette: Choose a few complementary colors and carry them throughout your decor for a more unified look. Muted greens, browns, and golds are perfect for fall.
  • Don’t be afraid to DIY: Many of the pieces in my living room were made by hand, from the garland to the pumpkin candle holders. Not only does this save money, but it also adds a personal touch to your decor.
  • Add texture: Layering pillows, throws, and natural materials like wood and wicker will make your living room feel extra cozy and inviting for the season.

white brick mantel with fall garland

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep a white slipcovered couch looking clean, especially with seasonal decor?

I love my white slipcovered couch because it’s so versatile and easy to maintain. One of the biggest advantages is that the slipcovers are machine washable, so I can easily toss them in the wash if they get dirty. I also like to keep a lint roller handy for quick clean-ups. When decorating for fall, I always make sure to use throws and pillows to protect the couch from potential stains while still showcasing seasonal colors.

Can I mix different fall colors without making the room feel overwhelming?

Absolutely! The key is to stick to a neutral base (like my white slipcovers) and then layer in complementary fall tones like caramel brown, deep green, and gold. As long as the colors harmonize with each other and are spread evenly throughout the room, they’ll feel cohesive rather than chaotic.

How can I incorporate personal elements into my fall decor?

I love using items that have personal meaning, like the dried hydrangeas from my garden or the handmade wood lanterns on my mantel. Incorporating pieces that tell a story makes your decor feel more unique and special.

gold pumpkin candle holders on coffee table with white painted brick fireplace in the background

As the new season settles in, creating a warm and inviting space to enjoy the changing weather is both satisfying and easy with just a few thoughtful updates. From layering a cozy throw blanket on your couch to displaying a DIY leaf garland on the mantel, these small touches that don’t take much time can make all the difference in transforming your own fall decor. The mix of natural textures, seasonal color, and handcrafted accents makes for a space that feels both timeless and welcoming.

I hope these fall living room decor ideas inspire you to refresh your own home with a blend of seasonal elements that reflect your personal style. Whether you’re incorporating budget-friendly DIY projects or simply swapping out pillows and throws, the key is to create a space that feels comfortable and inviting. Fall is the perfect time to embrace warmth, coziness, and those special touches that make your living room the ultimate retreat for the season. So grab your favorite blanket, light those flameless candles, and enjoy the beauty of fall in your newly refreshed space!

salutation with a signature Wishing you grace, Stephanie

Learn More About the Fall DIYs in this Post

Shop this Post

You can shop all of the decor in this post by clicking here or the picture below.

white living room with exposed beam wood ceiling with white couches and brown pillow covers

Pin for Later

Farmhouse style fall living room with vaulted wood ceilings and white furniture with brown and green colored throw pillows

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *