How To Decorate For Fall As A Minimalist + Fall Favorites

1. Expand On Your Existing Color Palette

As a minimalist, decorating for fall seems to go by swiftly. That includes adding some color. If you have been following for a while, you know I keep my home neutral (white, grays, beige, black and all of that), but did you know I relish color as well? Yes, this is the time where I add small nuggets of mustard yellow or maybe some olive green. The beauty about neutral interiors is they allow you to add color with ease. 

How do you expand on a neutral home?

• Introduce a new wall art piece and layer in new throws that draw from those colors. You do not need to match the exact color! Think of it like a landscape oil painting, where colors blend and play off each other. This creates depth.
• Replace or expand your drinkware collection. Right now I am loving golden-toned amber glass and tortoise glassware. Have you heard of it? I feel like it's going to get big soon.
• Forage some stems from outside, at their current state. Whether leaves are still green, turning red, or non-existent anymore,  allow nature to decorate for you.

2. Edit Down What You Have

As the "ber" months arrive, it's a great time to purge things (not just home decor). Go through what you have and see what you want to donate. The sooner the better before the holidays take up your time.   You would be surprised how much we accumulate over the year, seriously.  Keep in mind if there's room for more, it doesn't mean we need to fill it. These are some things that come to mind when I'm getting rid of things:

•  Have I used this in the last month or two (with the exception of seasonal)? If not, BYE!
• Does this add value to my home's function? Are other family members still into it?
• Would I buy this again? ...goodbye!
• Can someone else benefit from this more than me? If yes, donate it!

3. Lighting Is KEY

Good lighting is important year-round, but there's something romantic about natural lighting during this time of year. Daytime may not seem too much different but think about golden hour. There's a play of light and shadow that makes interiors feel cozy. 

Let's not forget daylight hours are reducing so we want to make sure we have good lighting post-sunlight. Layer on the light fixtures and even the candles. Use a floor lamp and/or table lamp for ambient lighting, a pendant for task lighting, and wall sconce for accent lighting. Candles are another way to add to add a cozy feeling. I will often turn off all of the lights while watching a movie and light some candles for a snug experience. 

4. Designing Around Function

I feel like 'minimalism' has a connotation of being empty and sterile, and I couldn't disagree more! Minimalism is all about being intentional of what you have and not filling a space for the sake of filling it up. In this time of transition to winter, a home's soul can come to life through the characters (us). Think of it like a play - there's a designed set to set the scene but it's the characters that bring the story to life. 

Bring attention to the activities you or your family enjoy doing at home. Then, design your space/s to accommodate that. For example if you play a lot board games in the living room, invest in a good coffee table, upgrade your games (i.e. a wood chess board), or some nice cushions for comfort. This can make a home feel practical. If you enjoy making floral arrangements, hone in on that activity this season. Maybe add a new floral-making book to your collection.  Get a new new Ikebana vase? Do you enjoy making coffee? Upgrade your mugs.

5. Create an Immersive Experience For The Senses

A minimalist home can benefit from immersing the senses (beyond just sight). Consider adding fragrance to make home smell and feel luxurious. There are so many options these days. Go with a candle, plug-in wax melt, essential oil diffuser, room spray, or even make yourself some potpourri. I tend to lean towards natural scents that are based on essential oils. 

Play with contrast in textures - soft against hard, heavy against light. Even if it's something you don't typically touch, it can be visually stimulating.