Iwoke up this morning to steady rain on the roof, the perfect signal that October has begun. I slipped into full fall nesting mode: I cranked up the fireplace, pulled on a cozy sweater and a fun scarf, and spent the morning happily puttering around the house.
Of course, after my coffee.
Partway through my puttering I decided the entry needed a little warming up. By the time I started, the sun had peeked out—yay, fall! I love the way this season can deliver sunshine, rain, chill and warmth all in one day.
With that in mind, I aimed to make the entry feel warm and inviting while keeping it bright and cheerful.
I searched for items I already had and found a plaid runner from last year’s holiday table. Yes, it has small snowflakes on it, but they’re subtle—unless you zoom in closely—so I decided to use it anyway. Layering the soft plaid across the dresser immediately added a cozy texture to the entry without buying anything new. Bonus!
Next I shifted the dresser into the corner of the staircase instead of keeping it centered on the wall. That small move made a big difference—the space felt instantly more snug and lived-in.
I loved how much cozier the entry became with that simple adjustment.
To make the corner even more inviting I added a chair and an ombré pillow from my office. The chair is from World Market; the vase, basket and pillow were thrifted at Target some time back. My lamp is a DIY bottle lamp and the dresser is a flea market find. The little vignette felt complete and wonderfully cozy.
I ran to the market and picked up seasonal flowers, pumpkins and a few squash. I loved how the oranges, blues and greens played together on the dresser—neutrals are calm and lovely, but a few bright pops of color always lift my mood. As the season continues, those colors can evolve too.
Were you in fall nesting mode today like I was?
Catch up with my 31 Days of Falling for Fall
Browse the series for ideas and inspiration for making your home feel cozy and welcoming as the season changes. There are posts on autumn evolves, cozy dining rooms, coffee stations, eclectic style, porch decor, and more—perfect for sparking your next fall project.