Decorating for Fall When It Still Feels Like Summer

If you live in a location with a warm climate year-round, all this chatter about brisk fall weather, fall fashion and fall decor is probably falling on deaf ears. Personally, I'm still wearing white linen and rocking flip-flops in Miami. But don't despair — you can still have a taste of fall spice in your home this season. The key is to find affordable decorative items that can be changed in and out with ease. It's amazing what a difference a small accent wall, rich-colored throw pillows and tons of glowing candles can make.

Visiting family and friends will appreciate your attempts to embrace the seasonal change too, much more than your endless chatter of how warm and sunny it is all year long.

Many owners of warm-weather homes stick to light hues so the spaces feel cool even on the hottest of days. But a few splashes of autumn-inspired color with the change of seasons can remind you of fall without making your home feel heavy.

Think rust tones and olive greens, as shown on the walls here. Painting is an easy and inexpensive way to warm up a space, especially when paint is used on just one or two feature walls.


Before my son was born, I switched out my white throw pillows and layers of white accessories at the end of every summer and ushered in fall with cinnamon-scented candles, pinecones and rich-colored throw pillows. I love how this homeowner used natural fall items — like branches, dried cotton branches and pinecones — to create an easy and affordable vignette.

Unfortunately, this kind of fall decorating doesn't happen quite as often in my home today. Let's just say that the bounty of toys that now adorns my living room is my only nod these days to anything colorful.


If you don't share my toddler-decor fate, then adding fall-inspired accessories is easily one of the most inexpensive ways to bring the rich textures and colors of fall into your home. Go with a few burnt-orange throws, pillows in a variety of fall colors, burlap-wrapped candles and seasonal twigs and leaves.


Artwork in warm hues, earth-toned throw pillows and clusters of candles can be budget friendly and temporary ways to spice up an all-white room for the season. Notice how this room's designer used neutral colors and classic pieces for the big-ticket items, and seasonal colors for accents that can be switched out with ease.


In cooler parts of the world, homeowners are cleaning out their fireplaces and getting ready for colder nights. But fireplaces are exceptions, rather than the norm, in warmer areas, like my home state of Florida. Many of us duplicate the look with the glow of flickering candles.

This home has a faux fireplace built into a custom entertainment unit. If you're budget minded, you can achieve a similar concept on a wall; work with a professional to cut out, frame and tile a small nook for candles.

Want to keep things supersimple? Glowing candles on a coffee table can create the same feel.


Believe it or not, we get the occasional chilly night in Florida, too. An electric fireplace is a great way to cozy up in fall. Adorned with simple branches and pumpkins, this fireplace definitely adds seasonal warmth to this room.


No traditional fireplace means no mantel for displaying seasonal accessories. But floating shelves on a focal wall in a living room or family room can do the trick; you can accessorize them with fall-inspired candles and vases.

If you plan to rest heavy vases and candleholders on these shelves, make sure the shelves are properly anchored to your wall studs for maximum support.


Fall colors work well in the bedroom as well. Trade in those white duvet covers for rich tufted silk or velvet bedding. Splurge on a soft throw and some colorful pillows.

Tell us: What are your secrets for creating a sense of fall in your home, even if you live in a warm area?

More: Fall Decorating Ideas From a Designer to the Stars

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