The return of cooler temperatures, fall colors, and nature changing before our eyes is all the evidence we need that autumn is officially here. Adding autumn touches of décor to your home will help you transition into the new season with excitement of the passing of the year. From the exterior to the interior of your home, fall décor colors can be rich and robust or subtle and subdued. Choose your style and see how these 15 decorating tip and ideas will make you want to jump into a pile of leaves to celebrate autumn!

1.) Display artwork that depicts fall themes/colors: In your front foyer or located on a predominate wall; fall artwork can change the mood in your home instantly. Consider nature themes with fall colors in oranges, rusts, and golden yellows. If you prefer more abstract art, oil paintings with browns, reds, and burnt umber will make a statement without being obvious.

2.) Dining room table centerpieces/settings can welcome in fall: Depending on if you want to go formal or casual for your table, choose colors that reflect your home décor and the season. Consider using red and yellow apples for an informal organic and edible centerpiece. Remember, the centerpiece doesn’t have to be stagnant, add or detract from it throughout the season for added visual interest. For more formality consider place settings and table linen that has hints of fall colors and themes.

3.) Dress up your front porch with fall inspiration: Use tall corn stalks, raffia, or straw to wrap around entry porch columns and mailboxes. Use thick colored ribbon in deep oranges and browns to contrast with the straw. Carry these same materials into lanyards or garlands around your front door and entry.

4.) Use your fireplace to showcase seasonal décor: Your fireplace mantel has been waiting for this season! Whether you look in your yard, or you travel to an arts and crafts store, dried leaves and pine cones make great décor. Small pumpkins, gourds or dried leaf vines, and colorful candles will brighten your mantle and spirits.

5.) Cooler temperatures mean cozy sitting areas: As the temperatures begin to fall, bring out the fall colored throw blankets to place on couches or in adjacent baskets. Complimenting fall colored throw pillows will complete any cozy nook for you cuddle up and enjoy a good book.

6.) Bring the aromas of fall into your home: Fall decor can be visual but it also involve your other senses like smell. Pumpkin pies, cinnamon apple cider, and first burning of your fireplace are all welcome aromatic ways to make your home feel full of autumn inspiration. Consider using candles, incense, or boil a pot of spices – cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg to instantly transport your home into fall mode.

7.) Use your imagination with fall D.I.Y. projects: Fall is the perfect time to visit home improvement stores and arts and crafts stores for inspiration. Look for workshops and home decorating tips being offered for free at these locations. Fall decorating cable television programs on home improvement networks are also a good resource for grabbing inspiration.

8.) Fill jars with seasonal colored items: For simple and inexpensive display items, fill mason jars or decorative glass jars with candy corn, or other colorful novelty items. Try filling various sizes with colorful dried beans, or healthy after school snacks for the kids. Décor can be functional and beautiful!

9.) Welcome guests with a beautiful autumn wreath at your front door: Simple grapevine wreaths are gorgeous on their own. If you prefer more adornment consider adding pine cones, leaves, berries and corn husks to your wreath. If you have a large home with many windows that face the entry of your home, consider placing matching wreaths hung from these windows as well.

10.) Bring fall to the exterior of your home with light: Luminaries are not just for the winter holiday season, they are perfect for fall too as the sun starts to set earlier in the afternoon. Battery powered candles placed inside paper bags with sand in the bottom, makes perfect luminaries. For the traditional type, place candles inside bags and light individually at dusk.

11.) Change slipcovers over furniture for simple color change: Colorful slipcovers can quickly and inexpensively add color to any room. Slipcovers can be formal or casual depending on the weight of the fabric and color. Decide on which fits your décor, and consider formal dining room chair slipcovers, as well.

12.) Alternate accessories in individual rooms: Add fall colors to every room in your house by changing throw pillows, area rugs, bed and bath linen to fall colors that blend with your décor. Try grouping small pumpkins on a kitchen counter top to add instant color and fall inspiration to an ordinarily boring counter top.

13.) Start preparing for Halloween: Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, the colors and symbols can be incorporated in your home decor inside and out. Use pumpkins and shades of orange and black throughout your home to get ready for this holiday in October. If you opt out of the scary Halloween theme, throw a festive ‘welcoming autumn’ party to have neighbors and kids welcome in the passing of the seasons.

14.) Plan fall activities with family: The fall is a great time to celebrate homecomings for school sports, attend sporting events and pick apples in orchards! Involve your family and enjoy the outdoors before the cold winter creeps up on us!

15.) Hang heavier drapery and curtains: Now that the cooler temperatures are settling in, prepare your home by switching out the lighter fabrics for heavier ones. Deeper colors and heavier fabrics will feel warmer and hold more air out of the room. Changing to fall shades to match your decor will bring instant color from floor to ceiling.

Enjoy the fall with these 15 decor tips and ideas. Bring in warmth and enjoy your home before it is bustling with activity for the winter holiday!