Who doesn't love walking into a well decorated home of your own or someone else's during fall and getting caressed in a warm, inviting, kick up your feet kind of vibe? EVERYONE. It is nostalgic yet timeless, that absolute welcome home feeling. Fall is here people, I see pumpkins everywhere, including my own home garden, unintentionally...(Let's just say my husband rototilled a giant cinderella pumpkin into the garden last fall and we had many rogue volunteer plants appear) But fall also seems to dissipate so quickly... How to keep that warm cozy inspiration all year long? I have 10 tips that are easy, minimal, and even better BUDGET FRIENDLY!
1. House Plants
It is amazing how beneficial house plants are for not only the air you breath within your home providing more oxygen and keeping the air clean, but certain houseplants (in my opinion all houseplants) provide a sense of Feng Shui within the home, promoting positive ions to be released into the room. I personally love a good rubber tree, or fern. Budget tip: Home Depot and Lowe's Clearance plant rack!
2. Leather Furniture
This can be steep on the budget short term, but a nice leather couch if kept up looks great for years and years! It can be cold to the touch, but the aesthetics is what I'm referring to on this one. Leather is so timeless, and adds such a great pop of natural texture to a room. No matter what look you're going for a leather piece of furniture is bound to add a bit of timeless comfort. Budget tip: Amazon has awesome leather couches under a grand!
3. Textured/ Vibrant throws
Now, I see a lot of grey scale Pinterest feeds, with all grey/white everything EVERYWHERE. I am here to change the stigma that not everything needs to look sterile or the same color just different shade to be beautiful and cohesive. I am a sucker for Moroccan prints, deep indigo blues and rust orange hues, pairing perfectly with my rubber tree and dark chestnut coffee table. Warmth comes from the heart, so whatever you find beautiful present it through a vibrant piece like a pillow or throw that has fun texture, the less mainstream the better!
Budget tip: I have found some extra marked down prices at Home Goods and Hobby Lobby!
4. Metal
So this is interesting... metal? How is that cozy? Well if you walk into a house that is just chock full of out dated orangey, early 2000's, wood built-in cupboards and matching floors you want to rip them off and paint them white or black right? If you take that situation, add awesome industrial metal lights and hardware throughout, you have broken up that nightmare enough to save some dough and replace those cupboard doors or floors at a later time. Budget tip: Hobby Lobby has great deals on metal decor just wait until it goes at least 40% off! (You can always print a 40% coupon off online)
5. Curtains
I know a lot of blind lovers out there, but beautiful blinds come at a really steep price. Curtains on the other hand offer a different kind of warmth to a home, to me I look at it as another fun texture I can add to a room. I recommend a double lined linen, because it goes with everything. Budget tip: I scored a beautiful set of linen curtains on the Target clearance rack!
6. Cut Flowers
You can always tell what season it is based on the fresh cuts at the market, flower cuts that is! If you want to keep a lively yet inviting feeling within your home, cut flowers on your dining or entry table add all the pizazz! Your guests will love the aroma as well!
Budget tip: Trader joes has an awesome selection that won't break the bank!
7. Wall Art
Okay, don't get too carried away here. I am NOT talking about those silly sayings that are framed like, "Live Laugh Love"... Let the art on your walls be a representation of how you feel, see life, and express yourself. Your home is you, and if it isn't filled with what you resonate with then its gonna feel forced and stuffy, not warm and cozy. Be authentic and your guests will notice. Budget tip: Amazon has great selections, but I think that this one could be a splurge area for what you really love!
8. Candles
Don't hate me, this is super basic and obvious but candles can also make or break the vibe of a home. If you are just wanting to have a nice warm and cozy environment for you, buy whatever scented candle your heart desires. If you are wanting to entertain, keep the candles scent free, or mildly scented because some people are super sensitive to scents, and ESPECIALLY conventional wax free! Soy based candles are probably your safest bet as far as toxic fumes go, scented with organic essential oils are most ideal. But in reality candles are pretty darn toxic. Budget tip: Harvest pinecones in your area, dust them with cinnamon and place on your floor vents... toxic free aromatherapy for days!
9. Hanging lights
You may be thinking about those awesome Eddison string light bulbs for your backyard, but I am talking about pendant single bulb hangers. Having a corner in a room, maybe a reading nook perhaps, with a cozy chair, comfy throw and a beautiful hanging pendant light adds quite an invite to that area.
Budget tip: Home Goods has amazing prices on even handcrafted pendant lighting, actually their whole lighting department is lit!
10. Textiles and Textures from a round the world
There is a lot to be said about texture in a home. I believe the more textures, textiles, and variety in you're home the better. Your home is your sanctuary, a direct reflection of you! Why not incorporate things from your travel, a dish you picked up in India, a rug from Bali, or a stoneware mug you love from Hawaii. The more variety, the more warmth and conversation you bring to your home. Just keep things minimal, and intentional and you're on point! You can also switch things around when you feel bored of something, I am always rearranging my home to keep things inviting. Budget tip: On your travels buy only what you resonate with, trends come and go, your home is a reflection of you.
I hope these 10 tips help inspire you to follow your truth, and the comfort and warmth with follow.
