With the summer season drawing to a close, it’s time to start thinking about fall! That means orange, red, and yellow palettes, cinnamon-scented candles, and pumpkin spice lattes are out in full force. Fall is the perfect time of year to add seasonal décor to your space, but getting creative in a small apartment can be challenging. In this article, we’ll cover how to bring a cozy fall feel to every room in your apartment, no matter the size.
Fall-Focused Living Room Upgrades
The living room is usually one of the most lived-in spaces in your apartment. Your living room should feel cozy and welcoming, especially in the fall. Lighting and décor upgrades not only elevate your living room but also create a cozy atmosphere for fall.
Add throw blankets
Blankets are a necessity in the cooler months, and fall is the best time to break out your throw blankets. One way to make this décor feel more seasonal is to look for blankets that match a fall color palette. For example, orange, yellow, red, brown, and off-white are a few colors that evoke fall without being too over the top.
Blankets are a great way to introduce seasonal décor because they are inexpensive and work in any apartment space. Whether you’re on a budget or just looking for easy ways to decorate your space, throw blankets are a simple way to elevate any room.
Hang string lights for ambiance
Lighting can make a room feel warm and inviting. One simple way to bring some fall charm to your living room is to hang string lights. String lights are usually inexpensive and can add a warm light source to any space. You can hang string lights around curtains, walls, or anywhere that’s in need of more light.
During the fall, days get shorter, meaning less natural light may enter your apartment. String lights, lamps, and warm lightbulbs not only brighten your space, but also produce a homey fall vibe that you and your guests will love.
Light fall candles and scents
Nothing says fall quite like a scented candle. Everyone has their scent preferences, but fall is the perfect time for spiced, warm undertones. Think cinnamon, clove, and pumpkin, or introduce a smoky element like sandalwood, amber, or cedarwood. When choosing the perfect fall scent, imagine leaves underfoot or the first pumpkin spice latte of the season.
If you decide to light candles in your apartment, review your lease to ensure you’re not violating any terms or community rules. An open flame can be hazardous, so only light a candle if you’re in the same room and plan to stay there.
Bedroom Refreshes for Cozier Fall Nights
Renters enjoy showcasing their personal styles through their bedroom décor. Holidays and changing seasons can be a good time to introduce new décor items. Throw pillows and decorative pieces are some easy and affordable ways to make your room feel cozier on colder fall nights.
Seasonal bedroom décor
If you’re looking for a simple way to elevate your room while creating a cozy atmosphere, throw pillows and blankets are a good place to start. Fall is a good time to bring out your chunkier blankets and a perfect excuse to add more soft pillows to your bed. These items can keep you warm when temperatures drop and cozy all season long.
The fall season also brings holidays, like Halloween and Thanksgiving. These holidays can inspire seasonal décor through warm colors, such as orange and brown. If you want to get a head start on the festivities, consider incorporating elements of these holidays into your fall décor.
Consider a scent diffuser
If candles aren’t allowed in your apartment or you prefer a flameless option, scent diffusers are a good alternative. A scent diffuser disperses fragrance oils throughout a space. Similar to candles, choosing a fall-scented essential oil can make your room feel even cozier.
Some diffusers include automatic timers or shutoff features. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use, including guidance about whether the diffuser can be left plugged in or unattended. Diffusers are an easy, and potentially inexpensive, flameless alternative to candles that can make your room smell like your favorite fall scent.
Store seasonal décor under the bed
Finding space to store seasonal décor throughout the year can be challenging, especially in a smaller apartment. One way to store these items is to place them under your bed. Storing items under the bed is not a new concept, but it’s an easy way to use otherwise overlooked storage space.
To maximize the space under your bed, consider using storage bins and organizing them by category. For example, one bin can be used for fall decorations, and another can be for winter jackets and clothes. Getting creative with storage space when you’re living in an apartment is essential.
Fall Décor Ideas for a Small Balcony
Although the arrival of fall usually means cooler weather, you can still take advantage of early fall days on your apartment balcony. Autumnal foliage and outdoor furniture are two ways to bring fall coziness to a small outdoor space.
Add autumnal foliage
A popular theme throughout the fall is the colorful foliage. While apartment communities may not have trees with vibrant fall colors, you can buy faux foliage from a craft store to decorate your own balcony. Create a fall-themed flower arrangement to place on your balcony or add a fake plant with orange or brown leaves to bring autumn colors to your outdoor space.
Outdoor rugs and lighting add coziness
Outdoor furniture can make a balcony feel homey, but soft rugs, blankets, and pillows can make the space feel even cozier. Heavier blankets, large throw pillows, and a textured rug can bring warmth to your balcony.
Similar to string lights, think about adding lanterns or outdoor lamps with warm lightbulbs to light your balcony at night. These can be especially handy as daylight hours get shorter, bringing a cozy and warm vibe to your balcony.
Choose lighting and décor that is made for outdoor use and review your lease before hanging or installing items on your balcony.
Use vertical planters to save space
If your apartment balcony is small, you’re not alone. The average size of an apartment balcony is only 20 to 60 square feet, making the amount of real estate to work with limited. One way to save space and maximize your outdoor décor is to use vertical planters. These planters make use of vertical space, leaving the floor open for the furniture of your choice.
Another balcony space-saving idea is to choose outdoor furniture that doubles as storage. Some outdoor seating comes equipped with storage space, making it easy to decorate the way you want in the space you have. Don’t forget to add a fall-themed throw pillow to enhance the coziness!
Seasonal Bathroom Touches
Even though your bathroom is probably not the first room to come to mind when thinking about where to decorate, it is a great place to incorporate some seasonal décor. Whether that’s through colors, faux foliage, or fall scents, don’t neglect your bathroom when you transform your apartment into a cozy fall retreat.
Use fall color palettes for bathroom essentials
Hand towels, bath towels, rugs, and shower curtains are a few items you can switch out to enhance the fall vibe in your home. If you usually use a gray towel, try a brown one for the fall. If the bathroom rug has no design, consider getting a seasonal rug. These are easy and affordable ways to bring coziness into your bathroom during the fall.
Fall-scented bath and body care
Like candles and scent diffusers, many companies create fall-scented items when the season rolls around. If you want to bring a warm vibe to your shower routine, think about using fall-scented body wash or shampoo. Scents like cinnamon, musk, clove, and apple are popular fall scents available in body and hair care. Using these fall-scented items will not only put you in the fall spirit but also make your bathroom smell cozy.
Hang over-the-door storage for extra space
If you’re short on bathroom storage, consider an over-the-door hanger or storage organizer to hold extra towels or body care products. Similar to an apartment balcony, an apartment bathroom may have limited space, so having extra storage can come in handy, especially if you like to decorate for the season or holiday.
You can also store other items underneath your bathroom sink or in a closet. Using stackable bins and boxes can help keep your things organized and maximize the space in your small bathroom.
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FAQs
How do I decorate a small apartment for fall without it feeling cluttered?
You can decorate your small apartment for fall by incorporating throw blankets, pillows, string lights, warm lightbulbs, candles or a scent diffuser, rugs, and fall color palettes. These items are small and can be affordable, making them practical for renters living in a small apartment.
How can I add fall coziness to a small balcony?
A few ways to add fall coziness to a small apartment balcony include adding throw pillows. Even though apartment balconies are usually small, these items are an easy way to bring a homey and warm vibe to your outdoor space during fall.
What's a quick way to make a small bathroom feel seasonal?
A quick way to make a small bathroom feel seasonal is to use fall scents in your shower routine or add decorative hand towels in seasonal colors.
