How to Transition Your Home Décor from Summer to Fall: Simple Upgrades for Coastal and Inland Homes

LBI region fall decor suits both coastal cottages and inland homes across the surrounding towns. With a few smart, affordable swaps, you can move from breezy summer style to cozy fall comfort while keeping your home’s character. This guide shows how to warm up color, add texture, and soften lighting so rooms feel inviting and season-ready—no full redesign required.

Warm Up the Color Palette

First, move from bright aquas and pastels to deeper tones. Try navy, caramel, olive, rust, clay, and sand over your trusted neutrals. Coastal rooms can keep sea-glass green and driftwood gray. Then add cinnamon or copper for a calm, autumn note. Inland spaces often shine with wheat and espresso balanced by crisp white.

Layer Cozy Textures

Next, bring in touchable fabrics. Swap lightweight throws for chunky knits, wool blends, or faux fur. Trade linen pillows for bouclé, velvet, or leather. Keep jute or sisal rugs, then add a slim woven runner for depth. With these quick swaps, a living room feels warmer in minutes.

Edit Summer, Then Add Autumn Accents

Before adding anything, put summer items away. Store bright beach towels, palm prints, and extra shells. After that, bring in a few fall accents. Ceramic or wood pumpkins, dried grasses, eucalyptus, pinecones, and amber glass work well. Pair driftwood or rope details with matte black frames or brass candleholders. The mix reads fresh, not fussy.

Adjust Lighting and Scent

Lighting changes the mood fast. Replace a couple of cool bulbs with warm ones around 2700K. Also, layer the glow with a table lamp, a lantern, or battery candles. For scent, shift from coconut to cedar, fig, spiced orange, or sandalwood. The space will feel calmer right away.

Refresh Linens and Soft Goods

Small swaps pay off in kitchens, baths, and bedrooms. Rotate in tea towels, hand towels, and a woven bath mat in fall tones. On beds, use a heavier duvet cover and add a quilted layer. Mix in flannel or smooth percale pillowcases as nights cool. On sofas, aim for balance: a patterned pillow, a solid velvet, and one cozy throw.

Bring Nature Indoors

Then, add natural texture. Near the coast, pampas grass, driftwood bowls, and a few shells blend well with acorns or mini gourds. Inland, branch clippings, wheat bundles, and heirloom pumpkins feel right. Style objects in odd numbers and vary heights for easy polish.

Create an Autumn-Ready Entry

Finally, set the tone at the door. Layer a coir doormat over a patterned outdoor rug. Hang a seasonal wreath made of magnolia, wheat, or dried leaves. Place simple planters with mums or evergreens. A lantern on a timer adds a welcoming glow as days shorten.

The Bottom Line

Handled with restraint, these updates keep coastal homes breezy and make inland homes feel grounded. Richer colors, softer textures, and layered light work with what you already own. The result is a relaxed, camera-ready refresh that welcomes cooler weather without losing summer’s easy spirit—across the LBI Region.

Last Updated on September 4, 2025