A beautifully layered fall look starts long before the pumpkins arrive. At Willow Tree and Company, we believe the secret to seasonal decorating success is intention: thoughtful prep, smart organization, and a curated approach to layering.
A cozy home isn’t one packed with things; it’s one filled with the right things. We believe in decorating that feels personal, welcoming, and collected; never chaotic or over-styled.
Here are our tips and suggestions for prepping for Fall decorating:
Start with a Quick “Room Reset”
Before you style, simplify. A clean base makes it easier to see what works and what doesn’t. Here’s how:
- Five-Minute Tidy: Toss old mail, wrangle remotes, detangle cords. A few small edits can dramatically reduce visual noise.
- Surface Sweep: Clear your coffee table, mantel, entry console, and dining table. Then start fresh with intentional layering.
- Texture Check: Replace sleek summer textures with warm, tactile ones. Think boucle, cable knit, linen. The Black & Cream Textured Pillow is a grounding neutral with dimension.
- Lighting Audit: Cozy comes alive at twilight. Add a soft glow with a small lamp, an amber candleholder, or a Santa Fe Coach Lantern.
Bonus Tip: Edit with the “3–2–1” Method
Less clutter. More clarity. This formula keeps things balanced:
• 3 items for large surfaces (coffee tables, buffets)
• 2 items for medium spaces (nightstands, side tables)
• 1 item for small spots (stools, mini shelves)
Mix elements with intention: height + texture + life. Try a tall Chickory Pod Spray in a ceramic crock and ground it with a Brick Mold Tray.
Organize First, Decorate Second
Inventory what you own. Sort into categories (pillows, stems, candleholders). Keep only what you love. Store by:
• Room (e.g., "Living Room Fall")
• Season (Spring, Fall, Holiday)
Shop your home: move a wood bowl from the kitchen to the living room. Style a Shallow Dough Bowl on a coffee table. Add a simple bouquet to your Vintage Amber Bottle.
The Golden Rule: Remove as You Add
The most common decorating misstep? Adding without editing. The beauty of fall styling is that it can stand out when it has breathing room. Before bringing in pumpkins, branches, or plaid, take the time to:
- Clear surfaces of extras like duplicate vases, stacks of frames, or summer trinkets that no longer fit the season.
- Keep foundation pieces that add character—a ceramic lamp, your favorite bowl, a short stack of beautiful books.
- Embrace a one-in/one-out philosophy. Every new seasonal item should replace an existing piece.
When styling mantels, consoles, and shelves, aim for asymmetry using odd numbers. Try:
• One candleholder: Antique Brass Candle Stands or Rustic Modern Tapers
• One low bowl: Shallow Dough Bowl or Brick Mold Tray
• One tall vase: Vintage Amber Bottle, Black Clay Vases, or Mango Wood Urns
Build a “Capsule Décor” Bin
Just as you wouldn’t wear every piece of clothing you own at once, you don’t need every decor item out either. A capsule décor bin allows you to be intentional with what you use, while neatly storing away what doesn’t currently serve your space. Think of it like a seasonal wardrobe for your home. By labeling one or two lidded bins by season and room, you not only simplify your decorating process but also make the transition between seasons smoother and more joyful.
For a Fall Capsule Bin, here’s what to keep inside:
- 2–3 pillow covers (20” covers on 22” inserts for that plush, designer feel)
- 1 cozy throw (chunky knits or wool blends add instant warmth)
- 1–2 versatile vessels for branches or dried stems (Vintage Amber Bottle, Black Clay Vases, or Mango Wood Urns)
- A few accents: Antique Brass Candle Stands, Rustic Modern Tapers, Shallow Dough Bowl
This little system will be your unsung hero of seasonal decorating; simple, clutter-free, and so satisfying to unpack when the next season rolls around.
Color & Materials For Fall (Pick a lane and stick with it)
Choose one seasonal palette and stick with it throughout your home for harmony. Avoid the temptation to go overboard. We love:
• Earthy & Quiet: olive, camel, bone, oiled wood, matte black
• Warm & Moody: chocolate, rust, plum, antique brass, smoked glass
• Fresh & Natural: moss, wheat, stone, linen, honeyed oak
Bring in Nature (Zero Clutter Required)
Nothing brings seasonal beauty faster than foliage. A single vessel of branches is often all you need. Use:
• Foraged finds: oak, maple, birch branches• Preserved stems: Chickory Pod Spray
• Candle moment: tuck in a Beige Hops Candle Ring for a subtle, styled touch
Decorating late Summer into Fall Transitions: Week-by-Week
You don’t have to flip the whole house in one weekend. Ease in:
- Week 1: swap pillow covers/throws
- Week 2: add branches and one table vignette (a Shallow Dough Bowl with pears beside the Vintage Amber Bottle)
- Week 3: layer candles (pair with Rustic Modern Tapers) Antique Brass Stands with )
- Week 4: style the dining table with a runner—choose organic texture (Pumpkin Cream Runner) or long-and-linear (Thin-Stripe Cream and Black Runner).
Entryway & Mantel: Big Impact, Low Effort
- Entry: Layered mat, catchall bowl, small lamp, seasonal stem—done. Top it off with the Garden Harvest Wreath.
- Mantel: Anchor with one art/mirror, then a trio—branchy vase + candle + low bowl. The Vintage Amber Bottle brings glow and height; add the Rustic Modern Tapers for warmth and the Brick Mold Tray to ground the grouping.
Fabric & Scent Swap
- Trade crisp summer cottons for boucle, corduroy, or velvet accents. Start with the Black & Cream Textured Pillow.
- Scent:cedarwood, smoke, clove, or amber in one or two key rooms—plenty. Lanterns like the Santa Fe Coach Lantern set the mood without clutter.
Dining Table: Set It, Don't Stuff It
Let your table breathe. Ditch full tablecloths in favor of:
- Runner so your wood can breathe—choose the or the Thin-Stripe Black and Cream Runner.
- One long centerpiece(garland + two low bowls) or two small statements—leave space for plates. Low bowls like the keep sightlines clear, especially paired with the warm glow of the Vintage Amber Bottle used as a bud vase.
Front Door Refresh (Five-minute Upgrade)
Your Fall-prep Checklist
- Edit surfaces; box summer accents as you add fall.
- Choose 2–3 colors + one metal/wood tone; repeat throughout.
- Style by numbers: coffee table 3, mantel trio, nightstand 2.
- Add one cozy textile + one warm light source per room.
- Bring in one vessel of stems/branches (try the Vintage Amber Bottle).
- Label bins by room + season; store clean and complete.
Shop the Look
- Antique Brass Candle Stands
- Rustic Modern Taper Holders
- Black Clay Vases (Set of 4)
- Mango Wood Urns (Set of 2)
- Vintage Amber Bottle (vase)
- Shallow Dough Bowl
- Wooden Brick Mold Tray
- Garden Harvest Wreath (22")
- Chickory Pod Spray (28")
- Beige Hops Candle Ring (9")
- Black & Cream Textured Pillow
- Pumpkin Cream Long Table Runner
- Thin-Stripe Black and Cream Runner
- Santa Fe Coach Lantern
- Garden Harvest Bouquet
A Willow Tree Note to You
Our heart is in blending vintage pieces with modern rustic style. At Willow Tree and Company, we believe your style is about you and what you love. Whether you're drawn to rustic textures, modern vintage blends, or warm, welcoming details, we’re here to help you bring that vision to life. Come visit us during our next Market Day in Rockingham, NC, or browse our thoughtfully curated collection online. Let’s create a fall that feels like home.
