CREATING A TOASTY AND TONAL BEDROOM FOR AUTUMN

Preparing ourselves and our home for the cooler months of autumn is an altogether different experience to getting ready for spring and summer. It’s all about finding balance and enjoying the gentle transition – sometimes it feels like we’re slowly winding down while nature puts on its final, vibrant show. I used to find autumn a little melancholic after the buzz of summer outdoors, but now I truly enjoy its charm, leaning into the beauty of golden leaves, crisp mornings, and warm, cosy evenings. While we swap long days in the garden for the satisfaction of tidying and harvesting, there’s also time for indoor pursuits that feel just right for the season. Whether your local climate brings fresh, brisk days or merely a hint of chill in the air, there are many ways to embrace the arrival of autumn.

FLOORING

I believe that by using a combination of hard flooring with rugs, you will instantly create a level of texture that feels inviting and cosy. Firstly, floorboards are a much kinder option to your toes than say a concrete or tiled floor. They can also bring an element of warmth to your room, particularly if you select a warmer toned timber. I recently selected the ‘Tovere’ colourway timber floor from the Amalfi range. It’s a mid-Oak shade that gives a subtle glow, without any yellow or orange undertones. To style it up for the cooler seasons, I would go with the super-luxe 100% wool Silvio rug in Dark Brown. It’s heaven to walk on, and the delicious chocolatey colour is utterly heartwarming.

COLOUR

As my walls are a very pure white (Popcorn by Porter’s Paints), as is my bed head (the Genevieve in white linen by Heatherly Bedhead Design), I wanted an unfussy, natural looking bed, but with more cosiness than plain white linen. I chose a soft beige linen duvet cover - with two duvets inside to make it extra plump and decadent looking (a classic stylist’s trick). On top, I layered a beautiful, weighted velvet quilt in a light brown.

WINDOW FURNISHINGS

More than just controlling privacy and light, window furnishings can make a huge difference to your room temperature. I have the Contemporary Blockout blinds in Quill, and the insulation they provide means I am saving on heating costs in autumn and winter (and of course cooling costs in summer). I also opted for lovely sheer curtains (the Seattle in Chalk) that have such a lovely drape and fall to them, that they instantly soften the room by creating an extra visual layer. It feels like a beautiful cocoon when they are
closed.

THE FINISHING TOUCHES

The way you accessorise a room can also have a great impact on the perception of warmth. I always try to have cut flowers or foliage in a vase – even just a small bunch from the garden. Magnolia branches provide fabulous autumn style foliage, with their combination of fresh green on one side of the leavesand a rust brown on the other.  Dried florals, such as oak-leaf hydrangeas, are another cost-effective way to add beauty to an autumn room as they last forever. Pop them in textured ceramic vases for another
lovely textural layer. Artwork, whether painting, posters or photographs, can also be swapped out to suit the season. I adore the work of Melbourne-based artist Lise Temple (represented through Forman Art & Framing), so I hung two of her petite yet very textural oil paintings on either side of the bed.

So, as you can see, warmth, as well as being a physical sensation, can be such a visual and tactile experience too, so enjoy preparing your cocoon for this autumn.