Eight interior designer-approved updates to give your home an autumnal update, including top designer dupes

Autumn is nudging interiors toward warmth, with brown tones moving from accent to foundation and textures taking center stage. An updated round of ideas—ranging from color and lighting to textiles and scent—offers practical, design-forward ways to refreshing living spaces without a full remodel. The roundup, published in late September 2025, spotlights approachable tweaks that can transform a room from summery to seasonal in a weekend or less. The emphasis is on cozy, grounded palettes that pair well with rust, ochre and forest green, and on finishing touches that don’t require major investment.

Go brown, the feature suggests, since chocolate, caramel and espresso shades are popping up on rugs, tiles and walls. It’s recommended to start small—perhaps with a vase or cushion—and build from there. For a bolder push, paint a wall, door or bookshelf in a deep cocoa or ganache-inspired shade. Such hues anchor lighter neutrals like cream and blush and pair nicely with autumn accents. The article points to the ganache-inspired Affogato from littlegreene.com and the soft cinnamon-brown Hidden Valley from benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk as palette references. It also highlights the Pleat sofa from johnlewis.com, a chocolate-brown chenille piece that signals the season’s mood, while noting that smaller accents—a velvet cushion or sculptural vase—can capture the look more affordably.

Lighting is singled out as one of the quickest, most cost-effective ways to set a seasonal tone without rewiring. The recommendation is to swap existing bulbs or LEDs for amber-toned options and to refresh lamp shades with warm materials like brass or wicker. The pieces listed for consideration include a broad selection from major retailers such as B&Q, with next.co.uk offering complementary shades. The suggestion to add three brass pendant lights over a kitchen sink—priced at around £325 each from pooky.com—adds a soft glow and visual interest to daily chores, while budget-friendly alternatives from lightsandlamps.com provide accessible options.

Designer dupes make the season approachable, with on-trend looks available at high street prices. Examples cited include Lakeland’s 8-in-1 Only Pan, a bargain at £60, which closely mirrors Our Place Always Pan at £125. The Otto duvet cover set by made.com, £50 for a king size, is described as a striking stand-in for Piglet in Bed’s Kemptown Stripe, £199. George’s navy Bobbin lamp, £15 on direct.asda.com, is presented as a budget-friendly nod to Pooky’s £72 design. The emphasis is on achieving designer vibes without paying premium in the wake of a fall shopping season.

To insulate against chillier days, the piece endorses stylish draught-proofs rather than chunky, utilitarian fixes. It highlights the Ollin draught excluder, £25, from perchandparrow.com, and Dunelm’s Linford Stripe at £16, as functional add-ons that don’t compromise style. The article also notes how lighting can be used to create a welcoming ambiance, with the earlier mentioned trio of brass pendants casting inviting pools of light that are practical for kitchens and dining spaces.

Bringing nature indoors is pitched as an affordable way to create focal points. Rather than expensive arrangements, the guide suggests using branches in vases or selecting dark foliage such as eucalyptus parvifolia and Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ to introduce structure and color. Local florists typically carry these, and faux options from retailers like layeredlounge.com offer a convincing alternative that remains easy to curate and timely for autumn. The emphasis remains on affordability and flexibility, ensuring the effect is visible without a heavy price tag.

Textiles get a seasonal upgrade by swapping lightweight linens and cottons for velvet, wool, and chunky knits. A throw over the sofa, cushions, or a bedspread in earthy tones can transform a room quickly. The feature points to retailers such as hm.com and zarahome.com for a wide range, and suggests treating cushions as removable covers to store away easily when spring returns. This approach aligns with the broader idea of modular autumn styling—pieces that can be swapped in and out as the season shifts without a full refresh.

Scent is another lever for autumn mood, with notes like cinnamon, clove and sandalwood taking precedence over lighter summer fragrances. The piece highlights reed diffusers and sprays as longer-lasting alternatives to candles, noting Rituals’ limited-edition Intuitia diffuser, £37.90, with saffron and vanilla tones that can linger for up to three months. For a DIY option, readers are advised to simmer sliced oranges and cinnamon sticks to fill the home with a warm aroma that lasts for hours, especially in kitchens or entryways.

Dressing the dining table closes the cycle of seasonal refresh. The recommendation is to replace white tablecloths with linens in soft tones such as dusty pink or biscuit and to layer in woven placemats and mixed tableware for character. The round-up points to John Lewis’s Deliciously Ella collaboration for homeware, with items starting from around £6, as a source of affordable, stylish pieces that can elevate autumn tables in minutes. Together, these touches create a dining space that feels inviting for seasonal gatherings without a heavy investment.

The eight ideas reflect a broader trend toward warmth, texture, and accessible design that can be implemented gradually. They emphasize practicality alongside aesthetics, urging homeowners to experiment with color, lighting, fabrics and scent to create a cohesive autumn look. While individual investments vary, the overall approach favors modular, mix-and-match solutions—updates that can be scaled up or down depending on budget and space. As the season progresses, these adjustments offer a practical playbook for transforming homes into cozy, welcoming environments that are well-suited to entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the cooler months ahead.