3 Areas of the House That Pack the Biggest Punch for Fall

Chris Loves Julia | Dining room with a vase of fall stems, a bowl of peaches and a candle

After the busyness of summer, fall feels like a chance to really return to my roots of being a homebody. And yet, that doesn't mean I'm home alone just with my family! I love to have people over as well! There are so many great fall opportunities to get together—whether that's birthdays, holidays, sporting events, firepits, or movie nights.

Sometimes our reluctance to host can come from feeling like it's too overwhelming to clean and decorate the home. While I've already done a post on my speed-cleaning tips, I wanted to also give you a window into the three areas of the house that pack the biggest punch when dressed up in fall decor. (Speaking of punch, try this amazing Harvest Punch that has all the apple! orange! pomegranate! you need in your life right now. With all that vitamin C, it's practically a cold-warding beverage as well.)

And don't feel like you're only doing this for someone else! I decorate my house this way every year just because I love it, and so do the kids. Now let's get down to it!

Dressing the Front Porch for Fall

Chris Loves Julia | Front porch with pumpkins and faux ghosts

Ghosts | Lanterns | Similar Faux Pumpkins

This is the space that even my kids get excited about decorating for fall! I think it's because it really signals that we're coming into holiday season. There's something very "imprinting" about the holidays, no matter your age. And what's better than a front stoop covered in pumpkins?! I've had real before, and it's fun to go to the farmer's market and pick them out. Last year I picked up a patch of faux ones because our "faux fall" in North Carolina meant that my real pumpkins rotted a little early in the heat. It was an investment, but even Chris can't tell they're not real!

For our planters, I like to swap in either an oversized pot of mums or a deep pot of faux stems in darker shades to add some height behind the pumpkins. I don't usually go seasonal for doormats, but I've been known to add a coir one out front. And then to turn the look a little spooky in October, I like to add some not-so-scary ghosts that can withstand the weather (bonus points if they light up!)

Evoking All the Senses in the Fall Kitchen

Chris Loves Julia | Julia placing a faux pumpkin on her kitchen shelf

Shop Faux Pumpkins

Fall is the kitchen feels very "homey" or the Danish idea of "hygge," a coziness and contentment with the quieter pleasures of life. It's all about glowy lighting, seasonal colors, and spicy scents. I like lighting tapered candlesticks or my new LED lanterns on the counter to brighten little corners as the daylight grows shorter in the late afternoon and evening. Swap out your dish towels for something a little moodier, like a dark-toned plaid.

Chris Loves Julia | Copper pots on kitchen shelves, two brass candlesticks, and a glass pumpkin filled with candy corn mix.

This is when my copper pots and wood kitchen items really come into their "season." Turned-wood salt and pepper grinders, a stack of copper mixing bowls, a wooden cake stand—these warm tones turn up the coziness quotient tenfold. A wooden bowl filled with pears is such a high-end designer look but so easy to do. There's a reason why pears are a still-life staple! Or you can do glossy red apples for their appeal (and staying power). I like to populate any space on my open shelving with mini pumpkins—faux or real—in shades of ochre, beige, and charcoal green. This is also the perfect time to set out some fall munchies, like Candy Corn Snack Mix in a glass pumpkin or dish.

In addition to the faux or real tapers above, I bring out a scented candle with a warm cinnamon or amber smell and just let them glow. You can try a simmer pot filled with rosemary, oranges, cinnamon, and cloves going on the stove to add some nature-scented aroma. Go ahead and put a fall-themed recipe on display on a cookbook stand, and of course, it's the perfect season to bake or stew up something delicious (here are 24 fall recipes to get you started!)

If you're entertaining, here's some inspiration for setting a moody fall table that will make your guests feel right at home.

Fall Into a Cozy Living Room

Chris Loves Julia | Black credenza with rusty fall stems in a vase.

Shop Fall Throws

Want to host people last-minute? The living room is one of the key spaces to look over and freshen up. And it's easy to do a little "fall" refresh with just a few additions. Texture is so important in the living room. It's all about fuzzy throws and sculptural branches (go big with faux ones like these and make a statement!), and glossy tapers on the mantle. You can easily add in wicker, rattan, or caning—anything woven feels artisanal and traditional.

Chris Loves Julia | Living room with white pumpkins by the hearth and burgundy faux stems in a vase on the coffee table

Also, layer the seating with cozy accents! I often store away blankets and extra throw pillows in the spring and summer to lighten up the feel of the room. But now? Go wild! Bring in those plaid flannel or plush blankets you've had folded up — anything that draws people toward a cozy sofa or chair. Fringe, tassels, oversized loop blankets or pillows add in some great texture as well. If you have some leather-bound books or accents, this would be a great time to put those on display on the coffee table along with a container of matches and a candle or two.

Chris Loves Julia | Cozy fall living room.

Shop The Living Room

I love evoking an old English countryside feel this time of year (spoiler: I'd love to add wooden beams, fresh paint, or paneled wood walls to this room to really drive home that idea!). A place where we can have a conversation by candlelight or snuggle up to a soft blanket and catch up on my latest reads. It's just the perfect segue into the "long-winter's nap" on the horizon.

If you're shopping for some new fall decor I've saved my favorites here!

Fall Faux Stems
Pots & Vases
Fall Kitchen Table
Dripless Taper Candles
Candlesticks
Fall Candles
Throw Blankets
Faux Pumpkins
Fall Frame TV Art
Fall Pura Scents