10 Fall Home Decorating Trends Interior Designers Are Embracing This Season

Minimalist Autumn Botanicals

Right after the leaves transform into their dazzling spectacle of autumn hues, schedule a little outdoor adventure to pick up one or two earthy finds for some minimalist fall decor. 

"Pop out to your backyard—or your alleyway if you're a city dweller like me—and use trimmers to cut long branches of a single tree. About 3 feet is the ideal length," says interior designer Bethany Adams. "Strip off the lower leaves and any straggling offshoots and then place them in a vase with water for weeks of fall color indoors." 

If you don’t have access to any colorful trees, drop by a flower shop for something simple. 

Layered Textures

Build depth with your autumn decor by layering different tones and textures together.

"Layering textures such as mirrors, woven baskets, and rugs with rich, warm tones and cozy elements such as candles and lamps is trending once again for this season," says Amber Shay, national vice president of design studios for Meritage Homes.

Dark, Muted Tones

Go the moody route by infusing your space with rich and mysterious tones, such as plum, deep red, charcoal, and even black.

"I love the concept of understated seasonal decorating," says Laura Williams of ATX Interior Design. By transitioning into dark and muted accessories, you can transform your space into an autumn dream.

Over-the-Table Décor

Centerpieces are a mainstay, but consider spicing things up this autumn with some over-the-table décor instead.

"You can usher in natural elements to your mealtime table without usurping precious surface inches with the help of an over-the-table rod or trellis," says interior designer Whitney Leigh Morris, founder of The Tiny Canal Cottage.

"With the help of a few simple accessories such as twine, floral wire, and S-hooks, you can bring the best of fall to your table by suspending fresh or dried seasonal florals, dangling jars of flickering votives, and draping branches of persimmons from the hardware," Morris says.

DIY Ghost Painting

The "ghost painting challenge" is a fun trend circulating on social media right now, and it's a whimsical way to incorporate a little Halloween spirit into your space. Best of all, you don't need to be an expert painter to pull it off.

The first step is to source an inexpensive painting that lends itself to the trend, which you can find at a local thrift store or even craft store. (Just make sure it's not a treasure!) From there, use acrylic or oil paints (the former dries faster) to work in hidden ghosts throughout the painting, as done here by Alicia Fawn Treasure. You can even paint gourds, bats, and blackbirds—whatever your creative heart desires!

Quirky Taxidermy

For a quirky spin on Halloween and autumn decor, consider introducing a beautiful piece of taxidermy into your home.

"Taxidermy was a once-popular pastime that, with judicious application, can be a charming addition to your fall decor," Adams says. "Scour the flea markets for beautiful stuffed pheasants or adorable squirrels to place on your mantel."

Moths, reptiles, and insects work, too. Just don't go too overboard—one or two taxidermy pieces is plenty. If you don't like the idea of the real thing, consider a faux alternative.

Dramatic Flower Arrangements

Add an instant "wow" moment to your home this autumn with a dramatic and unexpected flower arrangement in inky colors. For example, this arrangement features black dahlias, purple hazel leaves, blood-red ornamental grass, and purple-hued artichokes. Also, consider red or black roses, cobra lilies, black calla lilies, and dried lotus seed flowers.

Spice-Inspired Hues

A fall home decorating trend Shay is loving right now is the infusion of warm, spice-inspired hues, such as copper, gold, brown, apricot, and burgundy. You can incorporate them in many ways, too, including cozy chenille throws, pillows, and even florals.  

"Warmer tones are aesthetically pleasing and add a cozier, comforting feel to homes, especially during the fall," Shay says. "They also provide a neutral foundation to any room in a home."

No-Carve Pumpkins

Proudly displaying your decorated pumpkins is an autumn rite of passage. This season, Morris suggests trying a no-carve pumpkin versus carving.

"Make decorative pumpkins and gourds last longer by decorating them with reusable, push-in facial features and costumes," she says. "Not only do they result in adorable and playful fall decor, but they also allow the produce to stay fresher longer so it can then be used for cooking before the organic remnants become compost."

Mix-Matched Taper Candles

A collection of varying taper candles nestled together looks sophisticated and simple at once. Try to find candles of different heights, widths, and shapes. You can even incorporate metal candlesticks to create more dimension. To further ground the vignette, place your candles on a wood or glass tray.