I love the decor for this time of year! It is warm, cozy and the colors are amazing. Especially this year I have been really into greens, which is such a great compliment to neutrals. So if you’re like me and your house is full of neutrals, this is a great way to bring in a seasonal vibe as well as color in general.
Some really easy ways to incorporate Fall style into your home without spending tons of money are with:
baskets
pillows
blankets
greenery/plants
texture
candleholders
You can find amazing individual decor pieces that fit the bill, like stone textured vases or a chunky knit throw and we all know that a good candle can set the mood 😀 I’ll be putting one video up on my Instagram Reels every day with fall decor tips and the best way to use each item! And you can shop some of my fall finds here and keep an eye out for those videos to maybe be able to use something in your house that you have now!
Changes that I make? First I reset the coffee table in the living room and the throw pillows. After that if I think I need to bring out our big chunky knit blankets then I lay it on the ottoman to add some more texture. If I think I still need more then I look at what I have on the kitchen counter and the front door! Check out my post about Front Porch Fall Decor to get the outside of your home ready for the season.
This is the first opportunity you have for your home to give an impression, and at times it is the only opportunity. Think about how many people pass your front door, whether on the street or the UPS guy (yes, ours stops at our house a lot! So why not give yourself the best shot at leaving a stylish impression?
I love Fall for outdoor decor, the front porch can feel so festive and so easily too! Mother Nature gives so many great decorating pieces, and you can find so many great items at your local pumpkin patch or apple orchard. Either way, with just a few quick changes you can have your front porch feeling seasonal and stylish!
My front porch staples for Fall?
A seasonal rug for underneath my doormat – this is usually the black striped one we have, but there are some great checkered ones that would look GREAT as welll!
Change up your planters from the Summer – I like seasonal colors for these; terra cotta, maybe black? Something a little darker to bring the changing colors outside in to your home decor.
The decor – to be honest in the Summer I don’t really have anything to decorate the front porch, the flowers that bloom in our planters and the sunshine kinda speaks for itself. But in the Fall I love to have some pumpkins, maybe a mini hay bail, or a bunch of birch logs, the list goes on and on! And don’t get me started on lanterns! Oh my goodness, there is nothing better than some oversized lanterns on a crisp Fall evening.
Check out some great finds below to get going on your Fall front porch. Some of us have to start earlier than others because, well, Winter likes to show up in October (#smh). Happy shopping!
I don’t think that I knew how much rug layering was going on in my house until recently. To be honest it just seems normal to me now, but I realized that for a lot of people, layering rugs can be daunting. And I have proof of that by seeing some of the layering that’s going on that, well, just doesn’t work. So I’ve done some research and put together some graphics to help you out, that way if you have layers in your house you can double check and make sure they’re all good, or fix them :-/
I think the biggest upside to layering rugs is the texture, color, and a element of surprise to your room! For instance say you’re wanting a little color but the idea of an 8×11 colorful rug is super daunting, this way you can still accomplish that. By having a neutral base (the larger rug underneath) you can then have a smaller, more colorful rug on top to fulfill that color that you’ve been looking for!
I also find picking the size rug for your space can be difficult at times too! So there is a huge section dedicated just to the right size and furniture orientation for reach room for your rugs.
Firstly…
you have to decide if the room of choice can even accommodate layering. Meaning, is it large enough to have two different rugs, patterns, and textures? Or will it completely overwhelm the space? Living rooms, bedrooms, large offices and front doors are great spaces for layering. We have our living room and front door layered up! But let’s say your living room is rather small, and you have large and dark furniture? If you are dead set on layering your rugs in this case, then I would recommend lighter colors and minimal (if any) patterns. But my personal preference and style would say “no”, but of course everyone’s style is different.
Let’s say you have a carpeted area? Me? I hate carpet. Hate it hate it. Our entire second floor is carpeted and if we were going to be here longer I would put hardwood floors down. So if you have a carpeted floor but want a rug, there are a few questions to answer. 1. Is the carpet a texture that would accommodate? Meaning, if it’s a long pile then the rugs would move around, fall into the carpet and just not work. But shorter and firmer carpets might. 2. How large is your carpeted space? A hallway runner? Great! A large rather open/empty room? I’m gonna say you should rethink it. If your room is medium-sized, has a good amount of furniture and the rug either covers most of it or compliments the furniture in there (specially), then sure! But throwing a small rug in the middle of a larger/open carpeted space? Just random and not a good idea. Bedrooms with carpet would work great as long as you get a rug big enough (see graph below) which is an important thing to keep in mind anyway.
secondly…
size does matter. Hahaha sorry. But it’s incredibly true when it comes to your rugs! I eluded to it a bit above when talking about a small rug in a large carpeted area, but even when there isn’t carpet you still have to be very careful as to how large/small your rug is. There is actually a home/decor blogger/influencer that I follow and absolutely LOVE. I adore her style, however I even noticed her dining room table rug is a no-go. Most of the time when picking your rug you think about how it is going to fit under the furniture in the room. Let’s break it down:
Living Room
You can either have part of the living room furniture on the rug, meaning front half or 6 inches of the couch, front legs of the chairs, etc. or you can have the entire piece of furniture fit on the rug with a little extra behind it. But make sure all the furniture can apply to this rule.
Dining Room
This one is a tricky one and tends to intimidate people when you add the element of fallen food. However it is becoming more common and softens a space making it easier for you to have a wood table on hardwood floors. However the ratio is crucial. All the chairs need to be able to be on the carpet when they are pulled out. So if the legs of the chairs fit on the rug when they are placed neatly under the table, but come off the rug the second you pull it out to sit down, no dice.
Bedrooms
Also a tricky space because a lot of homes tend to have carpeted bedrooms. So take note of the convo above about the texture of your carpet and size of your space, but if all of those boxes are checked, find a rug that fits almost completely under the bed leaving a bit of space in front of your nightstand and a significant distance past the foot of the bed. Putting a rug in the middle of the floor between the foot of the bed and furniture or a wall is just plain weird. You can add coziness another way than a rug island in your bedroom. You could also add runners on either side of the bed too!
Layering
When picking the sizes of rugs to layer, area rugs are the best way to go. Let’s talk living rooms for a second. You could do an 8×11 rug or 9×12 (depending on the size of your room) with part of your furniture sitting on it, maybe the front half or so with a smaller more decorative rug on top framing the inside of where your furniture lies. Meaning none of your furniture (except for the coffee table) touches the top rug. This is the cleanest way to do it in my opinion. But playing with the space of the top rug that is under the furniture isn’t the worst thing in the world, it will just make it look a little tighter, and busier. And you’ll lose visibility of a lot of the bottom rug. Hides are also amazing to use as a top layer on a natural rug for decoration and texture. Because hides are usually smaller they work great on larger area rugs. Much better in my opinion than having it lay alone in a larger space.
You can also angle the hide rug if you like that better. Just make sure that when you do you can move it a bit so one corner of the bottom rug isn’t more exposed than the other. might make the room feel uneven.
Doormats are the most common rugs I see layered these days, which makes sense! They are smaller, more affordable and easier in regards to the dimensions. Just find an indoor/outdoor rug, generally the 3’x5’ sizes work best and layer it under your doormat! I LOVE this because you can easily change the layers and the look for every season if you wanted to. Maybe a darker buffalo checked pattern for fall? And then a lighter striped pattern for Spring/Summer? Great options! But one thing to make sure of is that your doormat fits completely INSIDE your outdoor rug. Meaning you can see the outdoor rug (bottom layer) on all four sides of the doormat, like the graphic below. Also make sure that your doormat isn’t insanely small. Mine is from Studio McGee and 2’x3’, but I know a lot of the ones you find on Amazon are smaller. And yes, mind is on the more expensive side, but it has sat outside on our front porch for almost three years through every single bit of weather and season and still looks amazing! I’ve gotten the cheaper ones, and they fade within months. So maybe consider it an investment over time so you won’t have to replace it later.
What NOT to do…
thirdly…
Time to pick your colors and designs. My go-to is a neutral and natural base, usually a jute weave layered with a colorful vintage design. This is where you can get that pop of color in your room without overwhelming the room. Below are some great options, but start with figuring out the colors in your room! Maybe you want a hint of blue, or just accentuate the neutrals? Pick those colors and start from there!
This is also where you might decide whether or not the room can accommodate it design-wise. Sure you might be able to fit a rug in your room spatially, but would two layered rugs be too busy? Or is the room not necessarily a “cozy” one that you need to layer? I think layering rugs adds a cozy factor because of the additional material, so if your room is on the formal side I would say either just go with one rug or find the most minimal layers possible. Otherwise the designs and feels of the room might conflict with each other.
Take a look at some of the finds below that I think would go great to layer together!
I think we need a summer version of the song “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. Because it really is!! We’ve been stuck inside… on sooooo many (COVID) levels. But now the sun is out, the trees and flowers are blooming, and you don’t have to just get your Vitamin D from the supplements in your cabinet. We don’t have a big backyard, but you really don’t need a huge one to be able to maximize and enjoy it!
Last summer we had stones put down to have a little sitting area because we found ourselves sitting on the back step for hours. Then came the question, how to maximize this little 10×10 space? Luckily we had a sectional that we had bought when we lived in Phoenix that was still in “good” shape. And since I hate waste I set to refurbish it, and think I did a pretty fantastic job! We stuck with that alone for a while but knew we wanted it to feel like a really comfortable space. The more comfortable and suitable to our needs, the more we would use it.
While I love a pop of color here and there, I personally wanted our grass to be healthy enough to serve as the ‘pop’ 😀 So I stuck to neutrals here. But one thing I want you to be weary of, unless it’s your thing, is to not be too matchy, otherwise it will all blend together! For instance, if your furniture has a brown/wood frame, get a much lighter/darker cushion for contrast, then for the cushions find a color that will compliment but not match the frame. You don’t want them to match the seat cushions 100% because again, then it’ll all blend together and you’ll just have one big blob. I also like the mix of materials when it comes to the furniture. While our sectional frame is teak, we got a wicker wrapped arm chair which is complimentary in color. Same with our new coffee table, it is complimentary in color but doesn’t match 100% and has some variation in the pattern of the faux wood and the black legs.
Not sure what colors to even begin with? Recently I have loved color matching to my pictures on Pinterest. Pick the landscape image that calls to you the most: could be a beach at sunset, a forest, the mountains, a lake, whatever!! Then I use the app Over to find the color palette of the image, from there you can create a palette for your patio. It obviously doesn’t have to be exact, but it is a great starting point.
Now check out tons of furniture/decor finds for your outdoor patio and don’t miss the sales below that! Memorial Day Weekend is the PRIME time for outdoor furniture sales to put together your outdoor space.
FIRE PITS
SEATING
DINING
ACCESSORIES + DECOR
Memorial Day Weekend is the absolute best time for outdoor furniture sales!! So check out a ton that I found below for some stylish and affordable pieces to add to your outdoor spaces.
I love finding ways to decorate your home to brighten up the season. And while it can be overwhelming and you may not want to spend a fortune on redesigning your whole house, there are small details here and there that you can change/add to make your house feel primed and ready for Spring!
This time of year I am digging naturals: natural materials, natural colors, etc. Which is where rattan comes in. I noticed that every single piece of furniture that I have bookmarked lately has some accent of rattan on it. If you really don’t want to change out furniture? Light pendants! Don’t want to change out a whole pendant? I get it! I found these pendant covers that we are thinking of using in our kitchen and they look like such an easy way to change out your lights for a whole different look without spending money on whole new lights.
I think the reason these trends are trends at all is because people are ready to get OUT of their houses. They are ready for nice weather to be able to get outside, and they want that same feeling in their house too! So this is where you can incorporate nature: herbs, faux florals. Magnolia Market has some great affordable flowers to change out of that corner vase of yours! And even better you can find a new planter like the one below to hold them!
Mirrors are also a great way to incorporate more natural light. If you have a dark hallway or entryway? Enhance the natural light with a decorative mirror! Doesn’t have to be anything too heavy or ornate, but just enough to reflect that Spring sunshine we love so much.
I know what you’re thinking, the sheepskin rug seems a little heavy right? But with something so light and airy in color, it is the perfect thing to add to an ottoman or at the foot of a floor lamp. But make sure they are light in color, like super light: whites or light beiges, otherwise it will feel like winter.
Here are some other great Spring decor finds that would be really quick adds/changes to get your home ready for Spring + Summer!
I love it when a coffee table decor is totally on point. It makes my entire living room feel complete and it can also change up the vibe and feeling of the room too! So if you don’t want to financially commit to completely redecorating a whole room, start with the smallest spot! Your coffee table.
I’ve put together five different ways to decorate your coffee table, but how you style these items depends on the shape and size of your coffee table. I personally love a square tray on a round table or ottoman, or a rectangular tray/set-up on an oval table, and a simple set up to match a square tabletop. The trick is making it feel decorated, but not overwhelming. If you can’t see the top of the table because there’s too much stuff on it, no good. So finding that balance can be tough, but that’s something you’ll just have to feel out. But the staples that make for a chic coffee table are:
Books
Florals/Greenery
Candle/Candleholder
Decorative objects
I freaking love coffee table cooks! There are some amazingly beautiful books that not only look good displayed on your coffee table, but are also really beautiful to look through as well. If you’re not into the big chunky books, or just don’t want to invest in a book you’re not reading, then maybe go for a beautiful magazine! There are some really pretty quarterlies like Restoration Hardware’s (which don’t even fit in my mailbox) that are a great way to add some dimension to your table.
SHOP COFFEE TABLE BOOKS
Florals and greenery are the BEST way to make your table feel seasonal. In the spring/summer go for florals, light and bright colors, and lighter vases. In the fall/winter feel free to go a little denser/darker with the vase and focus on greenery like eucalyptus stems or moss. And don’t feel like you have to do fresh all the time. That can be 1. annoying because they die so quickly 2. if you have kids or pets can be dangerous. There are beautiful faux arrangements out there that you can use over and over and store away when they are out of season.
I love Magnolia for unique arrangements that you can tailor and personalize based on your space, Pottery Barn has some pretty floral arrangements, but don’t be afraid of Michael’s! they have TONS of options and can even be a good start if you’re not used to faux arrangements or not sure what you want.
SHOP FLORALS + GREENERY
I have at least one candle in every single room. Not only is one lit 24/7 to make our home smell fresh but they are amazing for ambience. There are some beautiful candles that serve as decor alone! It is also another way to create dimension in your table. You want different heights on your tabletop and layering a candle on your coffee table book, or a decorative box is a great way to do that. I also love candleholders as a way to make your space feel festive for the holidays. Again, dimension, but also so many options whether they are brass, clear for something more modern, iron for a bit of a moodier/industrial vibe, whatever you are looking for, you’ll be able to find it.
SHOP DECORATIVE CANDLES + CANDLE HOLDERS
This is where it can get really tricky, not every table needs a decorative object, especially if it’s a small space. But I think that this is where your table can go from drab to fab 😀 Even it is a small quartz rock, or a large brass piece, this is where your chic style can come into play. If it is a bigger piece, then this may take the place of a floral arrangement, if it’s a small item, I would layer it on top of a coffee table book, and you can use a larger decorative box to create the shape of your tabletop decor.
You know the feeling when you walk into Target on November 1st and all you see is that Winter Wonderland full of christmas ornaments, wrapping paper, glitter, garlands, oh my!
My, personally I’m not completely ready for it, nor am I a huge fan of holiday decorations that leave your floor looking like you set off a glitter bomb. And seeing as I’m a procrastinator, I prefer decorations that I can leave up after the holidays and it be semi socially acceptable. They are more “winter decorations” than holiday-specific.
So whether you have a new home, or maybe you’re hosting your first family holiday? Or maybe you just want to give your home a bit of a facelift this holiday season? Check out dozens of my top decor picks for just how to do that! Greenery, votives, blankets, galore!
Every girl’s dream: creating their closet from scratch.
When we moved into our house, the closet and the pantry were empty. At first, our thought was “oh great, one more thing we have to do”. Then I realized, “wait, something I’ve always wanted to do!” Both of these spaces are some of the most-used storage spaces in a house, at least in ours. Whether you’re in the kitchen and going in and out of the pantry, or you use your closet for anything and everything, having these spaces as personal and useful as possible is a game-changer!
That’s why I knew that California Closets would be perfect for the job. Right when I met with our designer, Anna Abrams, her understanding of how we wanted to utilize these spaces meant we were going to get exactly what we wanted! And it had to be pretty, of course 🙂
But like any good home-owners, we shopped around a bit, first. And what did we find with every other company; shelf, poles, white finish, black finish, cherry finish, repeat. There was no creativity, nor would there have been any similarities between this space and the rest of our house! One of the things we fell in love with about our home were the modern finishes and small details throughout the whole house. So we weren’t about to ruin that by building a closet that didn’t fit or wasn’t up to the standards of the rest of the house.
With California Closets, no such issue!
Anna crushed it! When we met in person at the house she noticed the finish of the beams in our bedroom and living room and thought that would be a great color and a great way to transition from room to room! And well, obviously she was spot on! Not only does it fit beautifully with the finishes in the rest of the house but it also makes the space actually feel bigger!! Yes, the built-ins make the space feel bigger than when it was empty… tell me how that’s possible! Magic, I guess.
Not only was Anna able to grasp the aesthetic of what would work perfectly in our closet, but she also asked the right questions in terms of how we want to and will use that space! How many shoes do you and your husband have? How long do his suits hang? How many bags do you have? Do you want drawers, doors, sliding shelves? Alllll things that I never would have thought of but now cannot believe how we would stay organized without them!
First off? The height. Now, my husband is 6’10” so the “standard height” closet shelf just won’t cut it. Not only did she take all of our storage to the ceiling, but she made everything of his the perfect height. His watch drawer? Well, I can’t see into it, but it’s perfect for him! And what’s even more amazing? We were able to make a his and her side that flows beautifully.
I knew I was going to need a little more folding space for my 124329 sweaters 🙂 and that I would want my shoe storage to be a little, well, prettier. And boy did they deliver!! The effect you get when you walk in and see those backlit glass doors? Well, they are on display as they should be. And it elevates the feel and style of the closet, which I am sure anyone will fall in love with. Cough cough resale cough cough!
But we’re all about balance: the balance of aesthetics and efficiency of space. We have maximized this space, for sure!
Anna even helped me decide on the light fixture we installed in our closet! She was able to sort through my bajillion emails, ideas, wavering back and birth, and help me decide on this stunning AERIN Jacqueline Flush Mount. The perfect finishing touch!
Now, let’s be real, a lot of people are fearful of building, construction, or any time of home renovations because of the pain and hassle! But I cannot tell you enough times that the logistics with California Closets and our designer, Anna, were as easy as you could ask for. They were communicative, on time, and the team that did that actual install? These guys were the best! I completely trusted them when I had to leave during the day, they did an amazing job on the install. I mean, impeccable. And they were so great about walking me through the ins and outs of the spaces, how to use the lights, and any other questions that I had.
All in all the experience was such a pleasant one, that I kinda wish we had some more blank spaces in our house! Maybe the next one 😀
Nothing makes me more anxious than being unorganized.
Those days in the house when there is stuff everywhere, and no matter how much you clean up, the “stuff” just keeps reproducing! I’m not usually an anxious person, but this gives me anxiety.
I used to love “stuff”. Home decor, jewelry accessories, little knick knacks everywhere! Then about two years after college I realized what a toxic relationship I had with said “stuff”. I came to demise it. I felt claustrophobic, like I would tear my hair out if I didn’t get away from it. And quick!
Enter: spring cleaning… and moving!
My husband and I have moved about 5 times in the past few years, giving me an excellent excuse to purge! It’s like spring cleaning, but every six months, and followed by a relocation. But I cannot tell you how much stuff you find when you have to pack everything up. The back of the drawer you rarely open, that corner of the closet you rarely look at, that shelf in storage that you never need. Where has it all come from!? But best of all, why did I ever buy it? I’ve obviously gotten along just fine all this time without it… considering I never even knew it was here. I’ll tell ya, the number of trash bags I have filled tossing that junk is mind blowing! And such a weight off my shoulders.
But, if you’re lucky, and like most people, you are not moving every six month! So, other than the traditional “spring cleaning” (which isn’t too late to do, by the way!) how do you declutter your house consistently and save that anxiety for other things… you know, like adulting :-/
First, pick a room, and have it be the room where you spend most of your time. For a lot of people that’s the living room, or maybe the kitchen! If you have drawers in these spaces, start there. Empty out the entire thing! I mean it!! Don’t try and move things around because that’s how you miss things or make excuses. If you pour out the entire thing then you can see everything, and reorganize everything when you put it back in.
*general rule of thumb: have a trash bag or a plastic grocery bag with you at all times. You will always find things when you are decluttering. And you’ll end up like me, with trash piles throughout the entire house.
After you’ve hit the drawers, start with the cabinets! Now, really think about how you use that space. Should things be organized to be more efficient? Maybe the utensils should be closer to the plates, or to the dishwasher? It may take a few weeks to remember where things are and you may inherently go back to that drawer where things used to be, but you’ll get the hang of it.
Now… the closets 🙂 start with yours. And start small. So if you have a dresser, start with the smallest drawer, then work your way up. Now, this stuff should not go into a trash. Pick your choice of give-back, whether it’s to Goodwill, Salvation Army, House of Ruth, make sure these items go to a good cause! If you have not worn something more than once in six months, put it in the “wait” pile, meaning if you don’t wear it again in the next six months, then it’s see ya later! But, if you haven’t worn something more than once or twice in the past year? That one for sure goes in the giveaway pile. We’ve all been there, you could make excuses forever as to why to keep something! Use this rule and hold firm!
Another rule of thumb to keep your closet looking tidy and to keep things from overflowing, every time you buys one of something, you have to give one of those items away. So if you buy a simple white blouse, then you have to put aside a simply white blouse to give away. Otherwise you’ll likely end up with 13 shirts that look practically idential! You know you’ve done it.
Now, don’t forget about the pantry!! Just go through and start with expiration dates! Seriously… you’d be shocked. Then after you have taken everything off their shelves, thrown away everything that expired in 2014 :-/ now it’s time to organize! Shop the links below for some of my go-to’s and my new obsessions for organizing any space! But the pantry is the perfect spot for all of these. I find that you can have the exact same number of everything, but if it finds its way in an organized manner, like in one of these bins, or in a basket, then the game has changed! All of a sudden there is more room, things have their place, and the world is good again!!
The Gaines family made it… so obviously it’s awesome
When I heard that Chip and Joanna were making a line with Target, it was cause for celebration. And man, do they know how to time their launches! These holiday months are ones that include more hosting and family dinners than we care to count. And when I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and my in-laws, I quickly realized that it’s about more than just the cooking. They say that presentation is everything, and now I totally get it.
Let’s throw it back to my first Thanksgiving three years ago.
… I think I did a pretty good job!
Oddly enough I’m not entertaining anyone this year for Thanksgiving. Sorry, not ‘oddly’, thankfully! But I still wanted to try the Hearth + Hand products and you can never waste time tablescaping.
When it comes to interior design I’m really into contrasts. Dark walls with light artwork and furniture. I’ve always had just plain white plates, everything is white! I opened up my cabinets holding all our plates and bowls and was utterly bored. There was nothing fun in there! Whatsoever. So I took to update my cabinets… and my dining room table.
Dark colors help make everything feel a little more modern and cozy. Plus with the dark colors you won’t need to fill the table too much more with other decor otherwise you’ll overload it. I love the mix of the black bowls, with the light bowls as well as the dark green glasses and the light table runner. And Hearth and Hand does an awesome job offering everything that you would need to outfit your Thanksgiving table and beyond!
I love this footed serving board! I think it’s also going to be great for countertop decor once the holidays are over.
The pillows were perfect for the corner of our nook. I added in my favorite McGee & Co pillow (shop below) to balance out the colors.
So whether you are hosting Thanksgiving, or just want to up your tablescaping game and holiday decor, head to Target NOW because Hearth and Hand has everything you could possible need (and want).
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