The return of the pumpkin spice latte can only say one thing – autumn is just around the corner. A heated debate ensued over when to start removing the pumpkin ornaments. When it comes to seasonal décor, there are two camps: one that “never too early” and the other that adhere to the strict “wait until October” rule.
This year, the first official day of autumn is September 23, but you don’t have to wait to decorate the hall with pumpkins, leaves, and scarecrows. If you’re already craving your favorite fall pieces to add warmth and comfort, we’ll share how to seamlessly start transitioning from summer to fall.
As summer comes to a close, we invite interior designers and stylists to share tips and tricks for autumn decorating. They also weighed in on the age-old question of when to start autumn renovations. (Spoiler alert: you can do as long as you want!)
1. Start Outside
You don’t have to start decorating for autumn all at once. Interior designer Ami McKay suggests starting with the exterior of the house. “As summer comes to an end, you may notice that your outdoor plants need some careful care, whether it’s your vegetable garden or flowers, so take some time to tidy them up for the fall,” she says. Then, place the potted plants that still look good around the front door or on the deck.
To seamlessly transition your outdoor space from one season to another, Mackay recommends planting plants that have year-round appeal. “Whenever you’re planning landscaping, consider potted and underground plants that bloom in the fall and winter, as well as in the warmer months and at different times of the year,” she said. Her recommendations include a laurel tree, a beautiful Japanese tree that changes color in the fall, and a curly willow tree that looks sculptural even though it loses its leaves.
2. Take a Layered Approach
Interior designer Emily Henderson suggests that autumn décor can be easily layered. Rather than waiting until October to come up with every fall décor you own to completely remodel your home, this approach is a way to pace yourself, stay focused, and make the decorating process more enjoyable. “You can put a wreath on the door and change some pillows or blankets,” she said. “Then maybe add some pumpkin and other fall decorations in a few weeks. ”
3. Make a Small Exchange
Designer Stephanie Perez O’Boyle agrees with this step-by-step approach. Slowly transition your interior from summer to autumn by making a few small changes in early fall. “The easiest place to start is your desktop,” Pérez Oboyle said. “A simple update makes it easy to change a summer table to a fall table without spending too much money. ”
She recommends choosing a neutral base for your table that can be used year-round and replacing seasonal décor to keep things simple. To keep your table running from summer to autumn, “replace tropical fruits with gourds, pumpkins and other rustic produce, and swap flowers for purple and crimson chrysanthemums and dahlias,” she advises. In addition, she likes to add texture to the fall table with wicker placemats, woven decorative pumpkins, bamboo cutlery, and rattan dining chairs.
4. Turn off Textiles
Textiles are another easy way to introduce autumn style and color schemes in small doses. “As autumn approaches, swap out all summer textiles for warm tones and cosy fabrics for the chilly fall days,” McKay says. “Pastel reds, earthy and rust tones, as well as gold tones, will set the stage for the cooler months. ”
If you like neutral tones, she recommends going for a Nordic style. “Find some heavier unisex knit blankets and cushions, sheepskins (please source ethically only), candles and knits to create a cosy fall vibe,” she says.
5. Save the Real Pumpkin Until October
Designer Mimi Meacham says, “Pumpkins on the porch are perfect between October and November, and they create a festive and cozy tone for guests entering your home. Once the madness of school starts to subside, she’s in fall decorating mode. She suggested waiting until Oct. 1 before releasing live pumpkins. Pumpkins usually last only a few months, and there’s nothing worse than throwing a rotten gourd away prematurely before Halloween. Plus, pumpkins grow better at lower temperatures. Although carving a pumpkin does speed up the decay process, there are ways to keep your carved design longer.
6. Update Your Showcase Throughout the Season
To make your pumpkin display look fresh throughout the fall, Meacham recommends making a few small tweaks to it between October and Thanksgiving. “I prefer to use fun-colored, painted pumpkins in October,” she says. “Since Halloween is traditionally darker and gloomy, painted pumpkins stand out as a nod to the funnier side of the holiday. ”
Depending on the health of these pumpkins, she recommends swapping them out for a softer-colored, organic pumpkin in November. “I like to mix things with odd shapes, like acorns, scallops and caboca varieties,” she says. “These natural colors look very beautiful against the changing foliage and soft sunlight. ”
7. Your Home, Your Rules
Ultimately, the choice is yours. “I’m a strong advocate of decorating when and how you want,” Henderson said. “This is your home!” The type of fall decoration you use naturally affects when you start decorating, because if you choose live flowers and produce, some varieties won’t be available until a certain date and will only stay fresh for a long time. However, if you choose to use artificial plants and pumpkins, you can start early.
Perez O’Boyle shares why her autumn décor philosophy includes waiting longer. “While I agree it’s ‘your home, your rules’ — my point is to wait until October to decorate for autumn,” she said. “Wait for the coolness in the air, the shortening of the day, and the transformation of the leaves to get inspired and bring a natural autumn feel indoors. ”