Coastal Fall Decor
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As the seasons change, it’s fun to start planning how to incorporate coastal fall decor into your home. However, getting into the fall spirit can be challenging when you live in a coastal climate. Because it’s so hot and humid in Charleston until late October, you really don’t feel like it’s fall until it’s almost over.
I’ve found that it’s best to incorporate neutral colors and shades of blue into your coastal design to keep things light and airy, but still seasonally appropriate. So, before you remove all of your coastal decor in preparation for fall, follow a few of my tips here to incorporate your favorite fall items seamlessly with your current style – no bright orange or red required.
Coastal Fall Decor Trends
Most of my home is decorated with neutral colors like whites, creams, blues and browns. So when fall arrives, I try to continue my color palette and incorporate it into fall decor rather than switching out everything and having to completely redecorate my coastal home. This year, I’m seeing amber hues everywhere with different textures like crackled glass, terracotta, dried elements, and more.
Every year, Studio McGee and Hearth & Hand launch new items at Target like the ones seen below in amber and golden hues. Because those colors tend to be more neutral, they’re easier to incorporate into most existing home decor and don’t feel so out of place with my pre-existing decor.
Aside from color, I love incorporating different patterns and textures into my home as the weather begins to turn. Prints like a subtle plaid, pretty gingham, or even a neutral stripe scream fall to me and can blend seamlessly into coastal decor.
For added texture, I like to introduce dried or fake florals such as pampas grass, dried hydrangeas, and preserved eucalyptus from Afloral, Target, or my own yard.
Shelf Styling with Coastal Fall Decor
Built-in bookshelves, fireplace mantles and consoles are fun places to incorporate pops of fall without it becoing overwhelming. If you have a lantern or glass vase, those are perfect items to fill with small white pumpkins like I did above. Vase fillers with wood, moss, and vines are another subtle way to bring autumn indoors with both texture and color. You can also incorporate warm-colored pillar candles, rich textured vases, and neutral-colored pumpkins on your shelving. Placing a pumpkin on coffee table books or a terracotta vase with florals on your shelves creates varying heights and focal points too.
If you’re looking to add warmer hues like red and orange, consider adding one pop of color like maroon leaves in a neutral vase. Or you could use a rustic earthenware blue vase and incorporate pampas grass as a way to incorporate a pop of color and texture. The pampas grass is a great neutral alternative to a standard fall-colored leaf for florals. I recommend spraying it with stiff-hold hairspray to keep it from making a mess!
Coffee Table Styling with Coastal Fall Decor
Coffee table styling is much like shelf styling. I like to incorporate neutral vases with florals, seasonally appropriate (but still neutral) books, and pumpkin scented candles. Often times there’s some type of bowl on a coffee table, and think this year we’re going to see a lot of jute and wicker as filler for those. Of course, you could also do the white pumpkins for something a bit more festive!
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Fall on the Coast
Getting in the fall spirit is hard enough in South Carolina, but decorating for fall in Florida is an even tougher challenge. Keep things light with fabrics like linen or waffle-knit in plaid or gingham patterns.
Embrace the slightly cooler weather by decorating your front porch with mums and specialty pumpkins. I love the idea of flanking the front door with white pumpkins and white mums and mixing in some gold or wooden lanterns, a neutral or blue gingham door mat, and a pretty dried wreath! Or, find inspiration from nature and mix it with indigo and antiques like Danielle from Finding Silver Pennies.
Fall Decor
To add coastal textures, you can incorporate a jute or woven rug to your living or dining area to give the space some warmth. Rattan and wicker baskets are very popular this year, and are fun to add to wall decor for a pop of something different. Pampas grass and earthy-colored florals lend themselves to coastal style while still adding a hint of autumn flair.
You know I love all things brass and I really think the warm tones lend themselves to the fall season. I’m seeing a heavy trend towards brass and gold once again this year and think it’ll be around for awhile. I also like adding in plenty of wood textures.
If you’re decorating a coastal beach cottage or beach house for the fall season, I’d steer clear of pumpkins and mums and focus more on bringing the outdoors in. Take a hint from nature and play with colors and textures. The Lowcountry is full of dried marsh grass, gray-blue skies, and end-of-season foliage during the fall. Focus on incorporating these elements into your home for a natural, but seasonal, feel. Use up those dried hydrangeas from your summer garden or forage some large, curly branches to stick in a vase on your kitchen table. Decorating your coastal cottage for fall doesn’t have to be expensive!
Another way to incorporate fall into your decor is to add amber-hued throw pillows and blankets. I also really like the look of rich velvet and faux leather pillows against a neutral couch or chair. These warm textures and colors really cozy up a space and make me want to curl up with a good book, a soft blanket, and a hot cup of tea.
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Playful Fall Coastal Decor
Though I love all things neutral, pretty and not too themed, I also have three kiddos that love all of the holidays. For their playroom, I incorporated this cute little pumpkin with a face in place of the “A” in their “PLAY” sign. I also replaced the florals with this pampas grass in the neutral vases.
We can’t forget about these cute little bats. These were everywhere in 2021 and I think they’ll continue to be wildly popular this year as well. Yes, they’re bats, but they’re small and cute and my kids love them. Also say hi to our skeleton-he’s pretty adorable too. I love adding these whimsical and kid-friendly touches as we approach Halloween for a hint of something fun for the kids!
I’d love to know how you like to decorate for fall. What colors do you enjoy using? Let me know in the comments below!
