Whether you love the idea or hate it, fall is on its way. And the best way to welcome the season is to rethink how you decorate your home.
While bright whites and airy linens are exactly what we want in the summer months, fall beckons with something warmer. The most effective way to spice up your room design for fall is with color.
From single, eye-catching accent walls to adding pops of color to your room for maximum impact, color ideas can completely transform the look and feel of your space.
And since we naturally spend more time indoors when the temperatures outside drop, it is even more important that our homes offer us what we need. And in autumn we need coziness, security and colour.
Check out our pick of the six best colors for the season and get cozy as the nights draw in.
1. Earthy brown tones
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Decorating with brown has been extremely popular in interior design throughout 2024, largely due to its earthy and earthy qualities. This fall, brown really comes into its own. With its obvious connection to crisp, fallen leaves, this warming shade will be in the spotlight.
A perennial favorite among brown colors is Mortar by Benjamin Moore, which is easy to use and is used in the living room above. It’s more of a taupe brown with earthy green undertones, so you get the coziness of brown without the potential dreariness.
Brown tones are surprisingly easy to use in a room scheme. “Thanks to their versatility, brown tones fit most color palettes, but especially neutral ones,” says Bailey Oates, color expert at Earthborn. “Pair the color with earthy decor to give the home a nature-inspired calm.”
“The timeless colour has a warming aura that grounds the room and conveys a sense of calm and elegance. Darker browns exude relaxation and can create a cosy, comfortable effect, while their lighter counterparts open up a room and create a welcoming atmosphere,” adds Bailey.
“I think we’ll see some great chocolate browns this season that go well with baby blue, and rich caramel tones that go well with reds,” says designer Grey Joyner.
2. Jewel blue tones
(Image credit: Fenwick & Tilbrook)
There are many shades of blue trending this year, but with fall comes darker tones like indigo, midnight blue and inky shades.
“Blue shades like Major Tom will dominate, so you can expect to see all surfaces in different shades, from walls and ceilings to woodwork and architectural details,” says Anna Hill, brand director and color consultant at Fenwick and Tilbrook.
“Deep blue shades such as navy, indigo and midnight blue are the top choices for the upcoming fall/winter season,” says Anna. “These colors are popular because they create a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere. The rich blue tones add depth and elegance to any room, while these shades can be easily combined with a variety of colors due to their versatility.”
3. Rich Gold
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
While the color yellow is often associated with spring and summer when decorating, a deeper, warmer, richer shade can bring warmth and coziness during the cooler months.
“We continue to see a strong desire to incorporate the calming colors of nature into interior design to create a sense of tranquility,” says Bailey.
“This doesn’t mean we’re just using greys, whites and creams. Instead, we’re seeing the introduction of colours with subtle yellow undertones that add warmth to the space and offer total versatility, giving all spaces longevity and timeless appeal,” says Bailey.
Summerdale Gold by Benjamin Moore is a grounded honey gold with muted green undertones. With natural textures and hints of black, the color scheme is sophisticated, warm and contemporary.
“We recommend applying these warming shades in bulk to your walls, trim and even the ceiling to create a cozy cocoon effect,” says James Greenwood, interior designer and color expert at Graham & Brown.
4. Deep orange-red tones
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
The unexpected red trend was big news this year, so opt for a natural, earthy take on the shade to create a cozy fall focal point.
“Red is very trendy,” says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. “Whether as a splash of color on a kitchen island or on all the kitchen cabinets, this look exudes elegant restraint, especially if you choose an earthy brick red.”
Terre D’Egypte by Farrow & Ball is a deep, warm red with an intimate, enveloping feel. Used here on the door and surround, it creates a focal point in the room and contrasts with the olive green ceiling.
5. Dark sage green
(Image credit: Fired Earth)
A dark green on the walls is naturally calming due to its obvious connection to nature and the forest. This grey-green tone is neutral and sophisticated – it will be understated in your scheme without overwhelming your space.
“Green tones are becoming increasingly popular in decorating,” says Bailey. “Green is often associated with balance and serenity and gives homes an earthy and approachable quality. This makes it a suitable colour for more sociable spaces such as kitchens, but still exudes a feeling of comfort and coziness.”
“To fully achieve this look, consider a color saturation – applying color to all surfaces, including cabinets and ceilings,” says Helen Shaw, marketing director at Benjamin Moore. “This bold application, combined with the avoidance of harsh white contrasts, will further enhance the intense and cozy feeling.”
6. Pale pink with green tones as base colour
(Image credit: Fenwick & Tilbrook)
Pink and green have been a popular color combination in recent years and this fall we are seeing a shift in colorways towards darker pinks and camouflage-inspired greens.
“Pinks and greens are here to stay, with a trend towards deeper, earthier pinks and moodier greens to capture the comforting warmth of winter,” says Anna.
“Half-and-half walls, with one color on the bottom and the other on top, can create a grounding effect,” adds Anna. “The moodier, earthier tones of both colors evoke the cozy feeling of autumn.”
“Details like painted borders and lines will also be prominent this fall. They allow for playful color combinations in a single space, creating a truly inviting, unique and cozy atmosphere.”
Incorporating cozy colors into your home is the perfect way to jazz up your spaces for fall. But these colors aren’t just seasonal, they work year-round if you want to create cocooning spaces—which works especially well in smaller rooms or spaces that don’t get a lot of natural light.
