With the leaves turning yellow and the temperature gradually dropping, there’s no denying that autumn is well and truly here. This significant change of season from the warmer months to autumn and winter will always require a switch-up in the bedroom, as the nights start to become cooler and the evenings turn darker.
As well as the practical changes that you’ll need to make to accommodate the seasonal switch, you might also want to embrace a few autumnal aesthetic updates so that your bedroom decor feels more inviting, cosy and layered.
With that in mind, here are six simple updates that you can make to get that perfect autumnal bedroom vibe and enjoy a comfy, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
5 tips for an autumnal bedroom
Image credit: @simplycornishcosy
1. Bring in texture
Texture is a key when it comes to bringing in warmth and adding visual weight to a room. In the hot months of summer, you’ll want a stripped-back, cool and uncluttered place to sleep that is breathable and keeps your body temperature regulated. In autumn and winter, it should be the opposite: layers of cosy pillows and throws in woven, chunky and plush fabrics should be combined for depth and softness.
Layering your bedroom with texture is not only practical, it adds lots of visual detail to create an interesting decor scheme and stops the room from feeling flat. Building up plump, fresh and new pillows, bed cushions and spreads in heavy-weight fabrics such as wool, velvets, tweed, corduroy, and faux fur creates a luxurious and inviting look that both supports and cocoons the body.
If you love the sound of bringing texture into your bedroom and want to go one step further than simply dressing the bed, you should look into bed frames designed with texture in mind. Boucle has been one of the most popular tactile textures within interior design in recent years, and this Eden White Boucle Bed is the perfect neutral base to layer with richer autumnal colours, such as caramel browns and on-trend burgundy and plum tones.
For a bed base that is full of visual depth and textured interest, the Hatti White Faux Fur Bed combines a deep bobble-effect headboard with a warm, natural wood frame. Dress it in soft bedsheets in a natural or soft pink colourway to not distract from the focal point headboard, but place a thick, chunky bedspread at the end of the bed to complement the texture at the top.
2. Build up the cosy on a budget with a mattress topper
If a new bed or mattress is not an option right now, but you want to make your current mattress feel more comfortable for when you cosy up on those colder, grey autumn days, a mattress topper is a fantastic way to give your existing bed a new lease of life and make it somewhere that you want to spend more time in.
For extra padding and comfort, a foam mattress topper adds another layer to your bed, making it super cosy for autumn. If you are someone who enjoys spending the colder mornings in bed with a cup of coffee, invest in a mattress topper with a removable cover, protecting your bed from spills while also having the ability to be machine-washed!
Image credit: @renovating.no10
3. Embrace the colour of the season: deep chocolate brown
Deep chocolate browns and rich merlot reds are the colours of the season. You’ll find these tones everywhere within fashion and interiors, but if you don’t fancy painting your bedroom in these intense tones, bring in the brown via small additions: an earthy clay brown vase full of dried florals on a textured bedside table, such as the Padstow Oak Rattan 2 Drawer, brings in both texture and warmth and is a simple and aesthetically pleasing way to style an autumnal bedroom. Finish off with a scented candle containing cinnamon or amber spices as a final touch.
Brown bed bases are currently popular thanks to this rich shade being so on trend, while 70s interiors are also making a comeback. The Berlin Brown Faux Leather Ottoman Storage Bed is both a luxury statement and provides ample storage room, with the base lifting up to supply a wide area for large-scale items like spare duvets, pillows, towels and bedsheets.
Let the stitch line design of the Berlin do the talking and keep bedding colours minimal with white, natural or soft grey sheeting.
4. Bring in warmth via natural wood
Autumn is intrinsically tied to the changes of the natural landscape and its seasonal transition, as leaves turn to warm colourways of burnt orange and amber, before falling to the ground and exposing the rustic grain and bare bark of a tree. An autumnal scheme would therefore have to include natural wood, which adds a sense of warmth and character to any interior space, creating a significantly more welcoming environment than when cooler materials are used, such as metal and glossy plastics.
Wood furniture is timeless and never goes out of style. It has a longevity and elegance that works throughout the year, but woods stained in rich amber, honey or walnut hues feel particularly autumnal.
Bring the warmth of wood into the bedroom via the furniture. Wardrobes, dressing tables, side tables and bed frames made from wood will add contrast against plaster walls and amongst soft bedding and textiles.
The Mallory Oak Wooden 4 Drawer Chest features a reclaimed oak finish, which showcases the surface patterns of natural oak. If you are looking for something less rustic, the Curve Oak 2 Drawer Wooden Dressing Table and Stool features modern, soft curves.
Image credit: @ellascottage__
5. Add lamps alongside decorative autumnal styling
Autumn is all about hunkering down and getting cosy, and there is nowhere more appropriate to do that than in the bedroom.
For that cosy vibe, bring in atmospheric lamps hosted on either side of the bed on bedside tables. If you need storage and have the space, tables with drawers offer the opportunity to avoid clutter by keeping any books, medication, phone chargers and headphones out of sight.
If your bedroom is on the small side, keep it feeling open and airy by choosing a compact bedside table on legs, which doesn’t feel as chunky as it allows light and air to travel underneath. The Axel Oak Fluted Bedside Table is a great buy because it includes one drawer for bedside organisation, while still not taking up too much floor space.
Finally, on your dressing table, place a decorative bowl full of small fir cones that have been dipped in essential oils (lavender is good for sleeping). This will add a lovely scent to your space, while also aesthetically embracing the season.
