You want to transform your space so it feels like Autumn, but you don’t really know where to start? Plus you live in a rental and you don’t have much choice in your furniture and decor?
This article will give you a place to start and some inspiration. Let’s go through the 7 essentials for a cosy Autumn makeover when you rent your home (works when you own the place too).
Before you go buy things you’ve seen somewhere or mull over what to transform in your space, you need to understand your starting point: your actual room.
Have a look at the flooring, the walls, the furnitures… If you’re in a rental like me, you don’t have much choice in those things, yet, they are having a great impact on the way you feel in your home. So you need to work with them, not against.
This observation will give you your first colour palette.
In my living room, I have white walls, grey carpet flooring, black sofas and light wood shelves. Not a lot to go with when my favourites are soft natural colours, but we can work with that.
Once you know your palette, you can start thinking about what you’d like and how to mix the two harmoniously.
For example, using accent colours to draw the attention to those rather than the dull grey floor. I’m choosing deep yellow and pumpkin colours.
Pillows and blankets are easy to find or remake, and they can really transform a space in a few minutes.
I just changed the covers of all my cushions, using leftovers found in a fabric store, and it makes my room so much better already! Adding a cream fluffy throw blanket also helps feeling cosy, and delaying turning the radiators on for a few more weeks.
You can also have soft big socks and a favourite jumper that make you blend right in your autumnal living room.
If you hate the lights of your place, there’s a couple of things you can do.
First, you can change the light bulbs. Go for a warm colour temperature, and eco-friendly bulbs that will last longer. It’s feeling better and it’s better for the planet.
Second, you can add secondary lamps and lights rather than use the ceiling ones. Studies showed that more focused lights improve wellbeing and make you feel more calm and relaxed.
Following up with lighting, candles are a great addition to your space, especially during the darker seasons, when you go home and it’s already dark outside.
You can choose different options:
Autumn is all about the transformation of trees and landscapes. Animals prepare for hibernation and wintering, plants change colours and shapes, skies get all moody and dramatic.
It can be nice to have a bit of that in your home. And the best way to do so, is by choosing natural materials like wood, wool and ceramics. Playing with textures will make your Autumn makeover more interesting too.
You could:
I don’t know if you’re like me, but Autumn makes me want to go in the woodlands and forage mushrooms, nuts and leaves. I love that feeling of being just a bit cold, wrapped in my coat, and going through mosses and lichens to find beauty.
I used to go mushroom hunting with my dad and it was really special. Now I just walk around, taking it all in, and gathering fallen leaves and fruits for my home.
Those can be used as they are, put of a window sill or a shelf. They can also be painted, mounted, glued… so they make a beautiful and unique seasonal art piece in your room.
You’re going to spend more time inside because of the light declining, and the days getting colder. So you want your space to be inspiring, and bringing you joy during those months.
Art is showed to be an essential part of wellbeing in an environment, along with plants and natural materials.
If you’re not afraid of holes, you can hang up some prints and frames on your walls, choosing autumnal vibes (that you can replace every season). If you prefer not to touch your walls, then go for small art objects like cute animals, crochet mushrooms, ceramics, wood sculptures, etc.
The only rule: choosing things that make you happy and uplifted!
And here we are. 7 essentials for a cosy seasonal makeover in your rental home. What do you think? What are you going to use in your own space?
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