There's a nip in the air, and those long, luxurious summer evenings are just a memory. Now's the time to stoke the home fires and spice up your decor for autumn. Here are 11 quick and easy ideas to add warmth:
1.
Exchange sleek summer slipcovers for heavier colors and textures: chenille, corduroy or velvet in eggplant or harvest gold.
2.
Splurge on a few fringed pillows, a colorful tapestry or a sumptuous mohair throw. Drape an antique quilt over the edge of a sofa; this adds color and warmth without extra expense.
3.
Tired of the same old dishes? Mix and match some richly colored glass plates in amber, amethyst or cranberry for a festive shimmer at dinner.
4.
Dress up the dining room with seasonal place mats, runners and napkins.
5.
Get out Grandma's quilts, and use them as tablecloths, topping off this rustic look with heavy earthenware. If they're not big enough, drape quilts diagonally for a layered look.
.
6.
Fill a copper pot with mums, or a shallow wood bowl with miniature gourds and pumpkins.
7.
As gray skies close in, infuse your home with a dash of color by painting an entry cinnamon red or dark pumpkin orange.
8.
Timid about color? Then start with just a touch at the back of your china cabinet. Pick an accent color and then cover a piece of poster board with a rich linen or heavy cotton. Tape the board to the back of your cabinet to make a warm backdrop to the dishes. This trick also works well in the back of a bookcase.
9.
Tuck electric candle lights in open bookcases, and top them with tiny chandelier shades.
10.
Replace a beige shade with one in a striking color, and add trim with a hot-glue gun.
11.
Find a footstool or an old ottoman at a flea market or garage sale and re-cover it with a fun fall fabric.
-- Homes & Gardens staff
If you want to automatically receive a free daily homes and gardens tip, sign up at OregonLive.com's newsletters subscription site.