Cosy ideas for autumn decor for your living room
8th Nov 2023 Home & Garden
1 min read
Inject warmth and comfort into your living space with these cosy autumnal ideas from interior experts, OKA, to help spark joy in the colder months
It’s autumn and that means the nights have drawn in. It’s an ideal time to add some cosy touches to your living space, from sumptuous throws and textured cushions in an autumnal colour palette, to seasonal foliage, and atmospheric lighting.
The experts at OKA are here to impart their knowledge to create a warm, inviting living space.
Established in 1999 by Annabel Astor, Sue Jones and Lucinda Waterhouse, the British furniture and homewares brand OKA has built a reputation for elegant homewares that combine comfort and style.
Antoni Roig and Sarina Hawkins, two of the experts behind OKA’s Interior Design Service, give their advice on how to create a cosy living room for autumn.
Make subtle changes with your accessories
Courtesy of OKA. Mix in new textures and accessories, like soft throws, to enhance your room's cosiness
If you want to give your space a different feel, then think about those really minor tweaks. There’s no need for a complete seasonal overhaul. It’s about choosing pieces that evoke a certain sensation, for example, a cosy throw might automatically make you think of snuggling down and watching TV.
"A cosy throw might automatically make you think of snuggling down"
Everyone has a different take, so look out for what speaks to you.
You could also incorporate more natural motifs into your space to nod to the changes outdoors. Pair pinecone ornaments or seasonal foliage with brightly coloured vases for a subtle seasonal nod.
Layer textures and patterns
If you want to create a cosy aesthetic, using different textures and patterns will instantly make your space look playful and inviting.
To make the transition between seasons more gentle, identify what materials give you the warm look that you want. It doesn’t have to be streamlined colour, whether it’s linen, silk or velvet—any of these finishes can make a huge difference to how your home feels.
Seek out a cosy colour palette for your cushions
Courtesy of OKA. Mix up your cushion covers with each changing season to keep things fresh
Changing your cushion covers is a really easy way to make your sitting room feel different season upon season, and when it comes to the colder months, it’s all about those moodier tones that evoke cosiness.
Think about those really rich shades, such as midnight green, aubergine or burnt orange, which add depth and warmth to a space.
Nod to nature with flowers and foliage
Different faux flower arrangements are a great quick fix. Maple bud branches, for example, are really lovely and work both in summer and winter—the yellow brings a hit of sunshine, but layer in some orange wild rowanberry stems and you’ll have something warm and inviting.
Don’t just look for autumnal colours but flowers that are in season at the time.
You don’t even have to go for a whole bunch. A few stems in a vase will bring the drama and scale that you need. Less is more.
Create an inviting glow with your lighting
Courtesy of OKA. Use candlelight to add warmth through the colder, darker autumn days
On a cold winter’s night, when the weather is not on your side, you want to enter a room and get that instant feeling of warmth—these are the moments to think about when selecting your lighting.
"It’s all about scattering different touches across the room"
Lighting can be easily layered; it’s all about scattering different touches across the room, and for us, the more you have the better. Different scales, different sizes, different heights—that’s how you come up with a beautiful scheme.
You can also create mood lighting with candles and candle holders. They’re great for making a space feel warmer and more atmospheric.
Add a rug for instant warmth
Rugs anchor a space; we always start our designs with a rug and build from there, and during the colder months they become all the more significant.
Rugs are great not just for adding warmth to floorboards, but for bringing in a rich layer of texture, colour and pattern. A rug really sets the mood for a room, so choose a design that has a lovely tactile appeal for an instant cosy feel.
Use candlelight to create an autumnal atmosphere
Candles and candle holders are great for making a space feel warmer and more atmospheric. We love using beautiful hurricane lamps with pillar candles for a welcoming glow.
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