Some seasons burst in loudly—summer with rooftop parties, winter with coats and chaos. But fall? Fall sneaks in like a quiet guest. You notice it in the early sunsets, the chill that calls for a sweater, the sudden urge to bake something—even if you have never baked before.
And for me, that shift always shows up first in my apartment.
Softening the Edges
By September, my place starts to feel too sharp. The overhead lights feel harsh, the throw pillows look like they belong to another season, and the bright, summery flowers on my table look a little… confused.
So I soften. I swap the linen throw for a chunky knit blanket, replace the bright yellow cushions with warm tones– burnt orange, deep burgundy, soft beige. Some fall-themed flower arrangements from the supermarket find their way onto the bookshelf. Nothing over the top—just enough to feel festive without making me wonder where I’m supposed to stash ten vases once the season changes.
This is the season when my apartment starts to feel more like a hug.
Let There Be (Better) Light
The older I get, the more I realize lighting is 80% of coziness. Harsh overheads are out. Pools of soft light are in.
I scatter candles everywhere—though I never light them all at once because, well, fire hazard. And then there’s Buddy. I didn’t make Buddy thinking of it as décor; I just wanted a lamp that wasn’t boring. Something softer than the overhead glare, something that could shift with my moods. And over time, Buddy stopped feeling like an object I switched on and off and started feeling like part of my daily rhythm.
At night, Buddy’s glow tells me it’s time to slow down; in the morning, it makes gray days lighter. Teddy stays by the couch for tea time, Puppy cheers me on in the kitchen, and Arvin keeps me calm in the bedroom when I’m up too late scrolling.. Somehow, this little lamp became a quiet companion woven into the rituals that keep me grounded—the same way a favorite blanket or a beloved mug does.
Layer the Comfort
Fall decorating, for me, isn’t about doing a total home makeover. It’s about layering small comforts until suddenly the space feels transformed.
A plaid blanket draped just so. A candle that smells suspiciously like pie. A stack of books I may or may not actually read. And lighting that changes with me: brighter in the mornings when I’m trying to wake up, softer in the evenings when I need to forget about emails.
Pastel Sunrise in the mornings makes the transition out of bed slightly less painful. At night, Velvet Dream becomes my unofficial signal to shut down the day. Pair it with a cup of tea and suddenly my one-bedroom feels like a retreat.
Make It Personal
I used to think decorating was about trends. The perfect weather, the Pinterest-worthy mantle, the kind of dining setup that looks great in photos. In the end, fall decorating isn’t about trends—it’s about the small, personal touches that make your home feel like you.
So this is my fall: softer edges, layered lights, more blankets than strictly necessary, and a little company from my Buddies. It’s not a catalog spread, and it’s not supposed to be. It’s just home. Cozy, imperfect, lived-in—exactly how I want it to feel this season.
And if you’re wondering: yes, there are still plenty of flowers around. But under Teddy’s warm glow, they somehow manage to look just right
How are you making your space feel like “you” this fall?