Autumnal Interiors: How To Refresh Your Home on a Budget

As the seasons start to change, we often want to make our homes that bit cosier and more comfortable ready for the darker, chillier evenings ahead. However, if you want to get the most out of your money this year, you might be wondering how to switch up your décor and achieve a seasonal refresh while sticking to a budget.

To help you get beautiful interiors without breaking the bank, Hayley Baddiley from leading homeware and ceramics brand Denby shares some top tips and clever interior hacks to try out this autumn.

Get Creative With What You Already Own

Buying all new homeware and décor when the seasons change is out of most people’s price range, and it’s not the most sustainable approach to interior design either. Instead, before you buy anything new, head to your cupboards and assess which things could be incorporated into your fresh interior ideas. This is one of the reasons why investing in versatile, timeless homeware that lasts always pays off in the long term — you can revisit and return to your favourite pieces over the years knowing that they can be used on multiple occasions.

When refreshing your interiors, it often helps to establish a colour palette or a theme, and then pick your favourite pieces that complement this theme best. For example, the core autumn colour palette consists of warm, earthy tones like burnt orange, muted yellows, and rich reds. These deep tones are often paired with cooler neutrals like moss green, grey, or cream to balance them out. So, if you’ve treated yourself to some new soft furnishings such as tablecloths or décor like a centrepiece in these rich autumnal tones, pair them with your favourite cool, neutral ceramics to create a balanced and coherent look.

Simply rearranging your furnishings and homeware can also make your home feel ready for the changing seasons. While you may have used some of your décor in the garden, patio, or terrace over summer, when the weather gets colder it’s the perfect time to bring it all in and build some cosy reading nooks. Simply move some blankets, pillows, and a coffee table to a quiet corner of your home, making sure you have a lamp or light fitting nearby. Lay this side table with your favourite teapot, coffee dripper, or cafetière and add a selection of your best mugs so that you’re always ready for a warming cup of tea or hot chocolate while curling up with a book.

Start With Focal Points

When you want to update your interiors on a budget, it can often be most cost-effective to go room by room. You might consider which rooms you use the most, or think about what visitors first see when they enter your home. Starting with these focal points — or even just updating these rooms — can often be more realistic and affordable than refreshing the whole house at once.

The kitchen tends to be the focal point of most people’s homes, as it gets everyday use and plenty of footfall. It’s also the room where you’ll make warm, hearty dishes to enjoy as the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. So, you may want to update your kitchen with versatile new essentials like cast iron cookware or dishes in multi-tone, ceramic glazes: you can tailor these to your autumnal theme by opting for seasonal colours and patterns, but also make use of them all year round. It’s also wise to invest in some dried flowers, as unlike fresh blooms that may only last a week, these can add a pop of colour to your home for up to a year.  Present these on your dinner table or breakfast island in a ceramic milk jug for a rustic, farmhouse kitchen feel that’s perfect for autumn.

Repurpose Soft Furnishings

One of the best things about the seasons changing is the chance to make your home feel as cosy and warm as possible. If you’ve had your blankets, throws, and cushions folded away or in storage over the summer, now is the perfect time to get them out and drape them over your sofas, armchairs, and any other cosy corners in your home. This can add colour and texture to your interiors without any permanent or costly changes like painting walls or changing carpets, which is particularly useful for renters. If you’re feeling crafty, recovering soft furnishings like pillows can also be a great way to switch up your interiors on a budget — you can find fabric for very reasonable prices online or at local craft shops.

Thrift Statement Pieces

©Denby

Browsing through second-hand shops or vintage stores is a great way to find unique items at a fraction of their original price. It might sometimes require a good eye and a little patience, but thrifting is both a sustainable and affordable way to decorate your home. Often, you’ll find statement pieces that complement the look you have in mind, but wouldn’t necessarily think to search for online or look for in furniture shops. If your thrifted pieces feature bold colours and patterns, you may want to pair these with some of your neutral, more classic homeware staples to balance out the colour palette.

Another great way to save money on your favourite brands is by visiting outlet villages. These stores can help you find classic ranges at a discount, or even discontinued ranges that you thought you’d never see again. Wherever you decide to shop, look out for homeware pieces in rich autumnal shades or with an interesting texture, as this can add a rustic, nature-inspired feel to your interiors and brighten up any shelves or countertops. This could range from ceramic bowls, plates, and mugs to pieces of art or upcycled furniture. Not only will this save you money, but this can bring some real personality and character into your home and make it feel like your own.

Add Some Warmer Lighting

Switching up your lighting can have a huge impact on how your home feels. From letting in plenty of bright, natural daylight in the summer to making the most of the early evenings in autumn and winter, it can be an easy way of bringing the seasons into your interiors. In autumn, one way to do this is by lighting plenty of candles throughout the house. This will create a warm ambience in the darker evenings without having to make any drastic, permanent changes like buying new light fixtures.

Opting for scented candles is also a simple yet effective way to celebrate all things autumn in your home: think classic spiced scents like ginger or amber, or opt for something rich, decadent, and different like leather and cognac. Switching to a softer-toned lightbulb can also give your rooms a warmer, more inviting glow than harsh, white bulbs, without having to buy new fittings altogether.

When the seasons start to change, many of us want to refresh our interiors to reflect the time of year. With these simple interior tips, you can get creative and bring some extra cosiness to your home this autumn without spending a fortune. For more design inspiration, be sure to check out the Empatika blog.