The annual approach of winter makes autumn an ideal time to bring in fun decor elements like fluffy throws and pillows, candles, and warm autumnal colors. Follow these tips to make your home the coziest it can be.

ADD LAYERS AND TEXTURES

We put on extra clothing when autumn temperatures drop, and it’s a good idea to dress your home with additional elements of warmth too. A thick fabric welcome mat by your front door will provide something soft to sink your feet into, while long curtain panels in cotton or velvet will help insulate your home from the cold. Soft throws on your sofa and chairs will warm up the look of your room and provide a cozy spot for reading, napping, or watching TV. A fuzzy shag rug will warm up a floor. You can make your bedroom more comfortable by swapping out lightweight summer sheets and blankets for heat-trapping flannel sheets and winter-weight comforters. Drape a fleece throw across the foot of your bed for luxurious comfort on cold nights.

ACCENTUATE YOUR FIREPLACE

Nothing says warm and cozy like a crackling fire. If you love the look of a wood fire but not the cleanup afterward, fill your fireplace with thick pillar candles and light those instead. Dress your fireplace mantel with natural elements like autumn-hued gourds and leaves, succulents, or pine cones. Lanterns, potted mums, or a basket filled with a comfy blanket can add extra texture and color to your hearth when it’s not in use. If you don’t have a fireplace, you can use these same decorating ideas to add fall flair to any spot in your home. Or you could make yourself a faux decorative fireplace by hanging a floating wood shelf above a vertical wood-fence panel that’s attached to the wall.

TOSS SOME PILLOWS

Once you get your fireplace roaring or your candles burning, you’ll want to settle into a comfortable place nearby to enjoy the warm glow. A few pillows on your sofa and chairs or some oversized floor pillows and poufs can provide just the spot for comfortable lounging. Pillows can add beauty, warmth, and texture to a space—look for pillows in knobby knits, autumn hues, or fun fall prints. When you have people over, you can put a few extra pillows on the floor to provide additional seating.

DIM THE LIGHTS

Give long fall nights a cozy ambience by filling your space with soft, flickering candles and carefully chosen lighting. Place candles around the room, or add smart light bulbs to your light fixtures. Some smart bulbs have their own apps that will allow you to dim or change the color of the lighting, while others can be paired with Google Assistant, Apple’s Siri, or Amazon Alexa to operate. String lights strewn across a wall or stuffed into Mason jars or lanterns can create a comfy or romantic atmosphere.

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN

Even if you aren’t the outdoorsy type, you might find it calming to have natural fall elements in your home. Appealing fall items you could use include autumn leaves, seasonal flowers like mums and sunflowers, sea glass and driftwood from the beach, or apples, decorative squashes, and corn husks from a local farm. Use houseplants, such as a large, leafy fern or a collection of easy-care succulents, to freshen and soften your interior’s look and feel.

INFUSE THE AIR

Fall is filled with many pleasant scents you can use to make your home cozier, such as pumpkin spice, apple pie, and cider. Try simmering slices of apples and oranges with cinnamon in a pot on the stove, burning fall-scented candles, or decorating your home with bowls of potpourri made with cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, and dehydrated oranges.

PERSONALIZE WITH PHOTOS

Framed photos of friends and family members will make you smile and are a simple way to bring personality and joy to your home. You could feature these photos on a gallery wall in your living room or display them on a coffee or console table. Your friends and family will feel welcome in your home when they see these memories on display.

SET OUT BOOKS AND BOARD GAMES

When you have folks over to visit this fall, you will want them to stay awhile. Put out a board game or two and perhaps some coffee-table books to encourage conversation and hours of entertainment. By adding just a few decorative and fun elements to your interior spaces, you may find yourself getting more enjoyment out of the cozy moments you spend at home this season.