Too busy to go all-out with your fall decor? This fall home tour shows you easy ways to cozy up your home for the season even if you’re short on time.
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It was October again … a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as if the spirit of autumn had poured them in for the sun to drain — amethyst, pearl, silver, rose, and smoke-blue.
– L.M. Montgomery
The calendar says otherwise, but for me, fall begins in October. September is all about heading back to school and savoring the last hot days of sandal season. The air conditioning is the only reason to snuggle up under a throw blanket in the evening.
October, however, is the prettiest and coziest month in my book, and I’m finally ready to let go of summer and embrace booties, blankets, and cold, dark mornings.
Welcome to our fall home tour. Like everything, it’s a work in progress. We are a regular family with two little kids and two working parents. Most of our fall decorations are collected over time or made quickly in what little spare time we have.
So why would I show you our imperfect home? One without a fireplace filled with lovely, expensive pumpkins that may rot before Halloween?
Sadie, the snuggliest, coziest pooch ever.
The crooked apple in our fruity fall wreath is a good example of how we roll around here – so close to looking just right, but not quite getting there.
Honestly, it’s tough for me to accept this general lack of perfection in life and home. That’s why putting it out there on the internet is scary. Pinterest is filled with houses that are far more put together than mine.
I’ve pushed nerves aside I want you – and me – to embrace and celebrate the changing seasons. And I’m not just talking about the four seasons dictated by our planet’s path around the sun – I’m also talking about the seasons in our own lives.
Our family’s current season is a busy and messy one, filled with toys, spilled milk, dog fur, and a general lack of time. Some days it’s hard to accept that my house simply cannot look “Pinterest perfect” right now.
Frankly, I named this blog The No Pressure Life to remind me to take a deep breath, do what I can in the time that I have, and not worry so much about getting it all “right”. I don’t always succeed, but I’m trying.
So, friends, let’s dust off our fall decor and gussy up our homes whether our efforts turn out magazine-perfect or not.
A Busy Family’s (Realistic) Fall Home Tour
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Mudroom
The entry is a perfect place to welcome guests with touches of fall, whether you have a large mudroom, a formal foyer, or a door in the middle of your kitchen. I used rustic frames from Target (part of my decor stash) and added free printables found on Pinterest. This pretty pumpkin watercolor is from Jones Design Company.
Learn more about our DIY cubbies here.
similar wire magazine holder, wall color = Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
TV Room
Truth: toys and shoes are shoved aside, and the camera is far enough away from, well, everything so that you won’t see all the dog fur.
Our new-to-us rescue dog buries her face under piles of pillows, snuggles up under blankets, and creates a cozy spot if she can’t find one. The orange pillows are known as the “dog pillows” because they are covered in Sadie’s black fur!
I wouldn’t have it any other way, though, because Sadie is the best snuggler ever.
brass swing-arm wall sconces + a big list of affordable swing-arm sconces, sectional sofa, wall color = Sherwin Williams Nebulous White
The couch looked neat for about five minutes after I snapped these photos, then all hell broke loose and the kids tossed the pillows everywhere. Oh well! They’re “making memories,” right? RIGHT???
Kitchen
Our newly renovated kitchen has this great bookcase and shallow pantry right next to the breakfast nook. Finally, we have a place for our cookbooks!
We spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so it’s important to me to add seasonal decor in here.
stereo, wall color = Sherwin Williams Nebulous White
The cookbooks are loosely organized by type. Since my husband is much taller than I am, “his” cookbooks are on the top shelf, and our most frequently used cookbooks are on the bottom shelf.
Do you see that accordion file folder down below? That’s how I organize all the loose recipes that I clip from magazines.
gold star object (similar), pumpkin printable, cake stand (similar), accordion file folder for recipes
Dining Room
Before we started a family, the Mr. and I traveled all over the world for work and fun. Rather than bring home useless knickknacks, our souvenirs were decorative objects or Christmas ornaments. The wall tapestry is from South Africa and the painted plate on the console table is from Greece.
The dining room is a work in progress. Apart from a fantastic chandelier, the room is far from done but we’re hosting Thanksgiving anyway!
console table, gold quatrefoil mirror (similar), silver pumpkin (similar), rug, wall color = Benjamin Moore Winds Breath
Living Room
For the first year and a half in our new house, the “formal” living room was our primary living space while our TV room sat empty, awaiting the major renovation. Now, this living room is rarely used!
To be honest, I feel quite spoiled and a little guilty that we have an extra room in our house. Yes, there are toys here (like every other room in the house!) so the kids play here occasionally, but we already have a playroom in the basement and a large spare bedroom that doubles as an office.
What do people in McMansions do with all those extra rooms???
brass candle holders (similar), fall leaf garland DIY tutorial, wreath (similar), wood and copper tray, ceramic squirrel (similar)
There we have it – a fall tour of the parts of our home that were clean enough to photograph! I hope you feel inspired to put a pumpkin here or there and try a fall craft or two. Meanwhile, I’m off to shop for new booties!
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I love your home! And I love this article…thanks for keeping it real.
Thank you, Teresa!!
Laura, Thank you so much for sharing your home. Even though I know it had to be scary to press that publish button, I’m so glad you did! When we have company over (even in the middle of a renovation), I always want everything to be spotless and picture perfect. I feel ashamed too often that my house isn’t clean enough, decorated enough, etc. enough. I’ve been trying really hard to break out of that. Thank you so much for this post. It will inspire many to be happy with their lived in homes, I’m sure!
Thank you for the kind words! So many people (women, especially) worry so much about being “enough.” Yet somehow, we think we are the only ones who feel that way. You are not alone! My husband often says (while I frantically prepare for a party): “If you and your friends would ALL just relax, then EVERYONE would feel so much more comfortable because everyone’s house would be the same level of messy.” #truth
So true! Your husband is a wise man. If only it were that easy to let go, though. I admit, when we have people over, I freak out about the mess, but then I don’t relax while they are there either! I spend the whole time making sure they have enough food drinks, and entertainment that I often forget to eat myself! We all need to take a step back and re-assess what’s important at times. Sure, it’s important that your friends have fun and feel relaxed in your home, but part of that is because you are relaxed too! I need that reminder ALL THE TIME. Haha.
Love it! Such a great post. Thank you for opening your home.
Thanks so much, Fiona!
LOVE your home!!! The fireplace is my fave. I remember the days of working and little kids. It’s not easy. Thank you for opening the doors of your home!
Thank you! I love the fireplace too, but it’s the built-in on one side of it that really captured my heart when we purchased the home. I’ll have to share that soon!